By Marvin Cato | HGP Nightly News |
A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul has renewed calls for the urgent election of a Leader of the Opposition, warning that the 2026 National Budget should not be presented in the absence of the constitutionally mandated office.
Mahipaul stressed that the continued failure to elect an Opposition Leader undermines parliamentary democracy and weakens the system of checks and balances, particularly as the government prepares to unveil its spending plans for the upcoming fiscal year.
He argued that the Leader of the Opposition plays a critical role in scrutinising national budgets, participating in key consultations, and safeguarding accountability in the management of public finances. Proceeding with the budget, he said, without an Opposition Leader would represent a serious departure from democratic norms.
The APNU parliamentarian further noted that Guyana’s Constitution provides clear guidance on the election of the Leader of the Opposition and that unnecessary delays erode public confidence in the National Assembly and its ability to function independently of the Executive.
Mahipaul’s comments add to mounting pressure from opposition figures who insist that the Speaker of the National Assembly must convene a meeting of non-government Members of Parliament to facilitate the election before the 2026 Budget is presented.
The issue has become a focal point of political debate, with opposition parties warning that continued inaction could have legal and constitutional consequences.
