Conversation Tree

A BOLD, COMPELLING AND ERUDITE ANALYSIS

The decision of Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire (CJ) is a bold, compelling and erudite analysis of the law relating to the interpretation of what the public now knows as Section 22 and Order 60. These refer to Section 22 of the Election Laws (Amendment) Act and Order 60 of 2020 made by the Elections Commission under the power to do so given by Section 22, to facilitate the recount of the votes cast in the March 2, 2020, elections. The CJ found that neither Section 22 nor Order 60 violates the Constitution and both are valid, lawful and intra vires, that is, within the powers granted by Article 162 of the Constitution and Section 22. The CJ also found that there is no evidence of unlawful acts to sustain the allegation that such alleged acts affected the results of the elections. This decision is now binding on all parties. It is not ‘pending’ or ‘temporary’ or ‘subject to appeal.’ It is a ‘final’ decision.

ENDING MIS-MANAGEMENT AND CORRUPTION OF STATE-OWNED COMPANIES

When nationalisations of private owned enterprises took place in the 1970s, first bauxite, then sugar, followed by the banks and others, initiated by the PNC government and supported by the Opposition PPP, they were ideologically and politically driven. The ideological considerations were genuine, but there were also other important considerations, such as imposing political and managerial influence over the direction of the economy as well as the country. It is not insignificant that while this level of control was being imposed, the Declaration of Sophia by the PNC announced and adumbrated the paramountcy of the party over the state in 1974.

“CAMPBELVILLE MAN DIES IN HOMESTRETCH AVE CRASH”

The headline and the three paragraphs below are direct quotations from a report in the Stabroek News of April 14, 2021. On the morning of April 15, the headline was changed to “Soldier dies in Homestretch Ave collision.” The April 14 report stated as follows:

THAT ‘BLOATED’ ELECTORAL LIST

In 2010 I wrote an article on the overseas vote in which I argued that the Constitution of Guyana permitted all Guyanese citizens over the age of 18 to vote. Since there was no residence stipulation, Guyanese residing overseas have a right to vote. As readers would imagine, it elicited some controversy. I was a member of the leadership of the PPP at that time. Mr. Robert Corbin, then leader of the PNCR, in a masterful display of irony, accused the PPP of seeking to re-introduce the overseas vote which, incidentally, the PNC had facilitated and grossly manipulated in the 1968 elections so much so that voters were registered as residing at the address of a horse pasture in the UK. The PPP was forced to issue a denial. Because of the increasing engagement of the diaspora in local affairs, and periodic inquiries as to their right to vote, I had expected that at some time a legal challenge would be instituted by an overseas resident for an order declaring that he/she had the right to vote and that the Guyana Government was obliged to facilitate that right. This did not materialize.

THE TRIAL OF GEORGE FLOYD

A tall and big African-American man, George Floyd graduated from high school and attended college on sports scholarships for several years before dropping out. He was as talented at sports, both basketball and football, as he was as a rap singer at which he attempted to build a career. But hard times caught up with him and for several years he was involved in petty, and sometimes not so petty, crimes. But he finally turned his life around and went to Minneapolis from Houston in search of opportunities. While he continued to battle opioid addiction, he remained employed in various jobs, campaigned against violence and engaged in charitable activities. He had a young daughter and a girlfriend, Courtney Ross. They first met when he saw her crying at a Salvation Army facility. He comforted her and invited her to pray with him.