Dear Editor,
The PPP/C refusal to join the APNU+AFC government in parliament has been frowned upon by sociopolitical commentators and certain political factions in Guyana. A closer scrutiny of the rationale for the PPP/C’s non-participation, however, would reveal the potency of such decision. While there are several reasons advanced by the political pundits and members of the higher echelon of the PPP/C, I have chosen, in the interest of time and space, to focus on three pertinent ones: the pending CCJ ruling; government’s flouting of the constitution; and the government’s disrespect for the rule of law.
First, the PPP/C’s return to Parliament before any ruling from the CCJ could have far reaching implications that would further contribute to the current malaise. The government is likely to table Bills and motions which would be validated by the presence of the Opposition Members even if they abstained from voting because the government has a one-seat majority. While it is very likely for the CCJ to overturn the Court of Appeal’s ruling those decisions/Bills/motions passed during this period would remain binding on the incoming government. Overturning them would lead to opposition and chaos.
Second, the government has flouted the constitutional provisions, despite recognizing and singing their respect for the constitution as the supreme law of the land. Rules are neither created nor applied in a vacuum; they created and used for a purpose, i.e., rules are intended to direct our conduct. One is left to ponder the oath these Parliamentarians took when their tenure began. The government bluntly refused to abide by the no-confidence vote which was validly passed on December 21, though they initially conceded defeat. Using bullying tactics, they even refused to obey the Chief Justice’s ruling and continued business as usual. In light thereof, why should the PPP/C rejoin them in Parliament? To return to Parliament before the CCJ’s ruling would be subscribing to the bullying and unlawful conduct of the APNU+AFC government.
Finally, the votes of dual citizens cast during the life of Parliament up to the no-confidence motion were adjudged by the High Court to be legitimate and legal due to other constitutional provisions on point. However, based on the said ruling, and the subsequent Court of Appeal’s ruling, dual citizens who hold Parliamentary positions would be illegal and unlawful. To that end, all votes cast by such individuals would be illegal and unlawful and therefore lead to illegitimacy of the motion and/or Bills tabled and passed. Dual citizens on the government side have so far shown no indication of withdrawing, nor has the government given any guarantee that they will remove these individuals from Parliament. Should the PPP/C join the government in Parliament, they would be contributing to this blatant disregard for the constitution and the rule of law.
In essence, the PPP/C’s decision not to participate in Parliamentary affairs while the CCJ’s ruling is pending is sound. To do otherwise would lend credence, and contribute to the bullying tactics of the government and their continued flouting of the rule of law, and gross disregard for High Court and the Court of Appeals.
Yours faithfully,
Ronald Singh
