General Elections 2011 are mere 
days away in Guyana. They seem destined to be a momentous occasion, given the spate of cross-party “defections” and spirited campaigning by the now FOUR official contestants – The PPP/C, APNU, The AFC and TUF.
On the various lists submitted by the four parties there are a few hundred persons whose objective and/or ambition is TO BECOME A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT IN GUYANA’S NATIONAL ASSEMBLY.
Last time we peeked into the nature, structure and role of Guyana’s PARLIAMENT. Today TRAKKER/ALLAN tells you about Guyana’s MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT
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PARLIAMENTARIANS, M.P.’S, LAWMAKERS…
You may notice right away that persons elected, OR SELECTED, TO SERVE IN THE COUNTRY’S National Assembly are described s “PARLIAMENTARIANS”, “MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT (MP’S)”, Members of the National Assembly,” “Legislators”, or “Lawmakers”. This is because, as was discussed in the very first article, Guyana’s Parliament is made up of the President of Guyana as well as the whole National Assembly, whose members are elected after National Elections, in the main. Members of the Assembly are, therefore, also Members of the Parliament (MP’s), Legislators or Lawmakers, because they make and pass law.
HOW? WHO?
The National Assembly presently consists of sixty-five(65) elected members, in addition to four(4) non elected Ministers, and two(2) Non-elected Parliamentary Secretaries.
If the Speaker is not an elected Member of the national Assembly, he will, by virtue of holding the office of Speaker, become a Member of the Assembly.
The Assembly can therefore have not more than 72 Members.
Of the sixty-five (65) elected Members, twenty five are elected from Geographical Constituencies. The remaining forty elected Members of the National Assembly are chosen from Lists supplied by Contesting Parties which are designated “National Top-Up Lists”.
Members of Parliament in Guyana’s National Assembly all have common, general roles and responsibilities. These include participation in debates when so assigned by their Parties, moving or seconding Motions, introducing new Bills, being Members of the various Parliamentary Committees when and if appointed; asking or answering questions, introducing Private Bills and certain other roles, when assigned.
“SPECIAL” M.P.’S
The Prime Minister, obviously a senior Government MP, is also styled THE LEADDER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS. This responsibility sees him announcing the dates for future sittings of the Assembly and presenting replies on behalf of the Government, especially if the designated Minister is not present to do so.
Then there are the CHIEF WHIPS. These are MP’s who are tasked by their Parties with ensuring the attendance and presence of their colleagues in the House (i.e. the Assembly) for important sessions of each sitting; reminding them of their turn to speak and vote and generally, to see that their colleagues demonstrate the discipline and standards required in the National Assembly.
Noteworthy too is the fact that our Members of Parliament are generally divided into TWO CATEGORIES – BESIDES BEING EITHER Government or Opposition Members. One set of MP’s – whether Government or Opposition members, were actually elected as representatives of GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCIES, meaning the ten (10) Administrative Regions of Guyana. These MP’s are sometimes referred to as “Geographic” or “Regional MP’s”. They represent the interests of citizens in those constituencies or Regions. The other category is those MP’s chosen from the NATIONAL TOP-UP lists presented by the Parties at General Elections (If these distinctions tend to confuse you, don’t worry, they are all Members of Parliament).
Finally, be reminded that the Speaker, who presides over all sittings of the Assembly, is also an MP as is the Deputy Speaker.
Personally, I Allan hold the brief for any Party. From past behavior observed in the Assembly AND from OBSERVATIONS DURING THE HECTIC, ROBUST CAMPAIGN NOW ON, I ponder upon just who is fit to represent us Guyanese in the new Parliament? (To be continued)
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