By Jomo Paul
[www.inewsguyana.com] – The move by Guyana ‘s National Assembly to restrict a President to be able to serve only two terms in office is illegal in its current form and such a reform should have been done by way of referendum.
This is the opinion of Attorney-at-Law, Emily Dodson who told iNews during an exclusive interview that the recent court writ serves to have that highlighted.
The writ, which was filed in the High Court late Monday afternoon, challenges the constitutionality of the presidential two-term limit imposed.
The writ was filed in the name of Cedric Richardson, by Attorneys –at- Law, Emily Dodson, Shaun Allicock and Oneidge Waldron Allicock.
It names the Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman and Attorney General Anil Nandlall as the defendants.
Guyana’s Constitution states that a person elected as President after the year 2000 is eligible for re-election only once.
Dodson in the interview with iNews said that for such a major constitutional reform to be undertaken without the say of the wider population was wrong, hence the reason for writ seeking for it to be deemed illegal.
She said that it is outrageous for a 65 member parliament to sit and “fiddle” with the constitution in such a manner without having a referendum being undertaken.
A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to vote on a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, or a law.
Dodson also made it clear that the writ was not politically motivated, explaining that she has already received several questions to that extent from concerned politicians.
The Attorney explained that there is no specific reason for the motion being filed now, noting that the fact that elections scheduled for May 11 was not considered in no major way.
When asked about the duration of a possible trial, she said that it was purely up to the Chief Justice under whose jurisdiction such matter would fall.
