[www.inewsguyana.com] – Opposition Leader David Granger today wrote President Donald Ramotar demanding that he announce a date for the holding of Local Government Elections (LGE) before Monday, September 15.
Granger wants the President to issue the ‘Commencement Order’ to operationalise the Local Government Commission and to initiate a process by which the Local Government (Amendment) Bill could be returned for his assent.
The Opposition Leader has threatened that failure by the President to announce a date for the holding of LGE will result in lawful action being taken.
“We shall be obliged to take any lawful action to mobilise national and international support in defence of local democracy, the Constitution and the rights of the Guyanese people,” the Opposition Leader warned.
In his letter, Granger reminded the Head of State that the Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendment) Bill was debated and passed ‘As amended,’ directing that elections be held on or before August 1, 2014.
“We remind you also, that, in accordance with the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, Local government is a vital aspect of democracy. Local government elections, last held in 1994, are a constitutional obligation and a democratic entitlement of the Guyanese people. It is not an option of the executive branch of government,” Granger said in his correspondence.
Granger called on President Ramotar to “respect the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana; to respect the decision of the National Assembly with regard to the Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendment) Bill 2014; and to respect your manifesto ―Working Together for a Better Tomorrow.”
Wake up Guyana! Dead men walking, gold leaving, elections stalling, and oxygen depleting while earth still spins. Sleeping on rocks in a desert is no longer fun.
granger was the man who praised the gdf for their “splendid” behavior in killing ppp supporters and seizing the ballot boxes in 1973. how can this man be so barefaced to issue an ultimatum to the president to hold lge with a highly suspicious list?
Unbelievable, to hear these comments by the opposition leader. He has forgotten, when they were in power, they denied this right to the Guyanese people. The PPP introduced local government elections in 1997. What an act of stupidety.
I am so sick and tired of the Guyana Government. If the constitution calls for elections on August 1, instead of writing a letter, isn’t there an International body that can make this happen?