Gov’t, opposition both ‘vindicated’ by ruling on selection of Gecom chair

In the absence of a written ruling by acting Chief Justice Roxane George, both the Ministry of the Presidency and the Opposition Leader’s office have said that her findings on the interpretation of the Constitution vindicate their respective positions on the selection of a Chairperson for the Guyana Elections Commission (Gecom).

However, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday said that the written decision would determine his next course of action, which could include supporting an appeal by applicant Marcel Gaskin of one aspect of the judgment.

In her 45-minute judgment from the bench on Monday, Justice George said she agreed with the arguments of lawyers representing both the Leader of the Opposition and the Guyana Bar Association (GBA) against the validity of the appointed person being a judge, former judge or eligible to be a judge. She told the court that persons falling into each of these categories are equally qualified to hold the post of Gecom Chair. She would later state that while there is no requirement for the persons nominated to have judge-like qualities, they should have integrity, honesty and impartiality, which are all akin to the qualities that a judge should possess.