By Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News
Concerns about political interference in the operations of constitutional bodies have once again taken center stage. Attorney-at-law Mayo Robertson has raised red flags over the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), criticizing its ability to handle issues of discrimination and racism with impartiality.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with HGP Nightly News, Robertson pointed out that the ERC, like other constitutional commissions, is often filled with individuals whose political loyalties align with the government of the day, thereby compromising their objectivity.
“The ERC is staffed with people whose political beliefs align with the government. That skews objectivity and undermines public confidence,” Robertson explained.
He further stated that public trust is consistently eroded when organizations entrusted to manage ethnic tensions appear politically compromised.
In order to rebuild trust and ensure neutrality, the seasoned attorney recommended structural reforms to the composition and appointment process of such commissions.
“Appointments should be publicly discussed and vetted. We need to avoid filling these commissions with individuals who hold strong political affiliations one way or the other,” he emphasized.
Robertson stressed the need for a non-partisan approach to addressing racism and discrimination, especially in a society like Guyana’s, which is marked by ethnic and political divisions.
Robertson did not limit his criticism to the ERC. He also took aim at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), highlighting what he sees as similar partisanship.
“Commissioners are technically supposed to be independent. We should not have ‘APNU Commissioners’ and ‘PPP Commissioners’. It defeats the very purpose of having an impartial electoral body,” he said.
The statements echo a broader national debate on the credibility and impartiality of Guyana’s constitutional bodies, many of which play a pivotal role in governance, human rights, and democracy.
As the 2025 general elections approach, public scrutiny over institutions like the ERC and GECOM is expected to intensify, especially with growing calls for transparency, equity, and political neutrality.
