GOVERNMENT DELIBERATELY FAILING TO HOLD REGULAR PARLIAMENTARY SITTINGS – WALTON-DESIR

Constitutional Gaps in Parliament: Calls for Mandatory Sittings to Protect Sovereignty

By: Marvin Cato | HGP Nightly News

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — Member of Parliament Amanza Walton-Desir is sounding the alarm over what she describes as a “deliberate breakdown” of parliamentary democracy in Guyana. Speaking on the infrequent meetings of the National Assembly, the MP is now calling for urgent constitutional reform to mandate regular sittings, ensuring that no government can bypass legislative scrutiny.

Since the conclusion of the September 1, 2025, General and Regional Elections, the 13th Parliament has met only a handful of times, a pace Walton-Desir calls “completely inadequate” for a modern democracy.

The “Three-Sitting” Paradox

Walton-Desir pointed out that despite the massive transition following the 2025 polls, the National Assembly has been largely dormant.

• Inaugural Sitting: November 3, 2025 (Swearing-in of 65 members).
• Budget 2026: January 26, 2026 (Presentation) followed by the February debate and estimates.
• The Silence: Since the passage of the 2026 Budget in mid-February, the House has not been convened for regular government or opposition business.

“If they were serious, we would have had regular sittings,” the MP stated. She argued that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) uses “democracy” as a talking point while simultaneously keeping the doors of the National Assembly closed to avoid tough questions and opposition motions.

Sectoral Committees: Stalled Oversight

A major point of contention is the status of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committees, which are designed to provide oversight on critical areas like Foreign Relations, Natural Resources, and Social Services.

• Failure to Convene: Walton-Desir highlighted that these committees—where the “real work” of the people should happen—have not even been convened in the 13th Parliament.
• Foreign Relations: She noted that during the 12th Parliament, the Foreign Relations Committee only met three times, even as Venezuelan aggression toward the Essequibo reached a fever pitch.
• Unchecked Issues: Issues such as “unchecked migration” and oil sector management remain unventilated because the committee system is currently non-functional.

The Constitutional Argument: Sovereignty at Risk

The MP reminded the public that according to the Constitution of Guyana, sovereignty belongs to the people, who exercise it through their elected representatives.

• Executive Dominance: By failing to call sittings, Walton-Desir argues the Executive is “impinging and curtailing” that sovereignty, effectively silencing the voices of the thousands who voted for the opposition.
• The Proposed Fix: She believes the only solution is a constitutional provision that explicitly dictates the frequency of sittings, removing the President’s discretionary power to keep Parliament in a state of “perpetual recess.”

Status of the 13th Parliament (As of March 2026)

Conclusion: “Show” vs. Substance

Walton-Desir criticized President Irfaan Ali for his recent international remarks urging democratic institutions to function in other nations, while “our own parliament has only met three times” for business. For the opposition, the current lull is not just a scheduling issue—it is a fundamental threat to the checks and balances required to manage Guyana’s historic oil wealth.