The decision of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) to strike down all the APNU+AFC positions in the cases relating to the no-confidence vote (NCV) and the appointment of the chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) was predictable, and its decision to give the parties space to do their political work is commendable but predictably doomed. It was good that the court, while paying homage to the separation of powers and the inappropriateness of its attempting to do the work of politicians, remained firm in its obligation to intervene when the political process is found wanting and legal remedy is required.
I hold to the popular belief that the government never expected to win the NCV case but that for whatever reason, it sought and is still seeking to delay the elections process and the added time (nearing three weeks) given to it on Monday merely plays into its hands, even if it made the court less open to accusations of radical judicial activism if it subsequently feels it needs to impose a period within which elections must be held.
