Dear Editor,
For the first time in Guyana’s history, there is no Leader of the Opposition (LOP). The constitution requires a LOP. Therefore, the Speaker and the government are violating the constitution, and both should be subjected to punitive action. The laws don’t allow for penalty against the government and the Speaker. Therefore, the ABCE countries should intervene and issue statements condemning the government and demanding they appoint the LOP. As a penalty, the ABCE countries should cancel the visas of every government member of parliament, the Speaker, and the president until such time that the LOP is chosen.
When the Speaker did not appoint a Leader of Opposition, as is the law, at its first sitting of the new parliament and has failed to call another sitting seven weeks later and counting, apparently on political instruction from the government, it is a violation of the norms of democratic governance. What is disappointing is the representative of the ABCE countries have been quiet to this violation of parliamentary democracy. I also notice that the defenders of the PPP like Ravi Dev, Baytoram Ramharack, Vishnu Bisram, Freddie Kissoon have been quiet. Why isn’t Chris Ram speaking out? Thank you GHK Lall for putting fire under the government and the Speaker to elect the LOP.
The Speaker knew there would be no more sessions for this year after November 3 sitting. It was incumbent upon him, therefore, to call all the opposition members together to choose the LOP. In a democracy, the Opposition position is constitutional, and is also stated in the Guyana constitution. The country must have a LOP who must be consulted on a number of appointments as well as in legislation. It is an indispensable position as he must hold the government accountable.
The Opposition has been rallying against the government to fill the LOP position since the declaration of results on September 5. Until the November 3 sitting, the LOP was usually chosen very quickly. The LOP traditionally is the leader of the party with the majority of seats among opposition members. That is Mr. Azruddin. It clearly shows that the government does not want Mr. Azruddin Mohamed as LOP. Why are they fearful of the WIN leader?
Prevalent parliamentary conventions and precedence dictate that Azruddin be sworn in as LOP. Precedents, convention, and goodwill should be invoked and the WIN leader given his rightful place. President Trump please impose sanctions on the Speaker and Members of the Government for violating democratic rights.