Guyana Opposition Returns To Parliament; Refuses To Name Candidate For Deputy Speaker Position

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – The main opposition People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) returned to the Parliament for the first time since the May 11 regional and general election, and immediately declined to nominate a person for the post of Deputy Speaker.

PPPC’s Chief Whip and Member of Parliament, Gail Teixeira, gave no reasons for the party’s position, but the party controls 32 of the 65 seats in the National Assembly.

The post of Deputy Speaker is traditionally filled by a nominee selected by the parliamentary opposition.

The PPP/C members were led by former president, Bharrat Jagdeo, and for the first time in 23 years, occupied the seats on the opposition benches.

The party had been boycotting the Parliament in protest at what it claimed the manner in which the elections were conducted, saying there were many irregularities.

As a result of the opposition’s position on Monday, Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland, indicated that the election of Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly will be held at the next sitting of the Assembly.

The return of the PPP/C to the National Assembly coincides with the start of the debate on the 2015 national budget of GUY$221 billion (One Guyana dollar =US$0.008 cents).

The opposition says it is prepared to participate in the long overdue Local Government elections, that could be called before the end of the year, but certain issues must be addressed.

These include the preparation of a new voters’ list, implementation of e-voting, enhanced biometrics and ethnic balance in staff hired by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

The party, in a statement on Monday also outlined several conditions that must be met to ensure participation in the poll.

The list includes the need for an aggressive and user-friendly public relations campaign targeted to specific issues of concern to the electorate as well as placing each elector in the specific constituency in which they are residing.

In addition, the party says there is need for public “re-advertisement for officials who are desirous of filling specific positions and responsibilities on election day…” and that the Claims and Objections period be held in conformity with the lists of elections agreed upon and accepted by the political parties.

Last week Minister of Communities  Ronald Bulkan said GECOM is in a position to hold Local Government elections.
But according to GECOM officials, several matters need to be addressed such as training and how long the claims and objections period should last.

Local Government elections were last held in 1994.