By Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News|
Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R), Aubrey Norton, has criticised Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed for failing to consult with APNU before signalling his intention to seek the removal of APNU-nominated commissioners from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).
Speaking at a press conference on January 30, Norton said that while Mohamed now holds the constitutional office of Leader of the Opposition, basic principles of opposition cooperation and constitutional prudence required consultation with APNU before exploring such a significant move.
Mohamed, leader of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), was recently elected Leader of the Opposition, a position historically held by the PNC/R-led A Partnership for National Unity (APNU). Following his election, Mohamed announced plans to formally request that the three APNU-nominated opposition commissioners on GECOM vacate their seats to allow for new nominations.
Norton argued that such an approach reflects a misunderstanding of the constitutional framework governing GECOM.
“I thought as an opposition party what WIN would have done was to engage us in consultation so that we can then deal with the issue and point out to him and his team that this is the law. It does not look well if you as an opposition are running to GECOM for them to tell you that they cannot do anything. It shows you are not doing your homework,” Norton said.
He pointed to Article 161(3)(b) of the Constitution, which provides that opposition members of GECOM are appointed by the President based on advice from the Leader of the Opposition, following meaningful consultation with non-governmental political parties represented in the National Assembly. However, Norton stressed that once appointed, commissioners are not subject to removal at the discretion of political parties.
Recent public discussions intensified after GECOM Chairperson Claudette Singh reportedly indicated that she lacks the authority to remove opposition-nominated commissioners, following discussions with WIN representatives. Norton said this only reinforces the constitutional position that GECOM is a permanent commission.
“The reality is that this is a permanent commission, and unless there is a change of law, those commissioners will remain there,” he added.
APNU Member of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul echoed that position, noting that commissioners Vincent Alexander and Charles Corbin were appointed when the PNC/R was in opposition, while Desmond Trotman was appointed during the APNU+AFC administration. He emphasised that their appointments cannot be revoked by the political parties that nominated them.
While WIN has argued that, as the largest opposition bloc, it should be represented on GECOM, constitutional provisions set strict limits on removal and replacement. Article 225 disqualifies persons from appointment only under specific conditions, such as citizenship status, while Article 226 permits removal solely on grounds of inability to discharge duties or proven misbehaviour, and only through established constitutional procedures.
As debate continues, the issue has highlighted growing tensions within the opposition benches and raised broader questions about constitutional interpretation, electoral governance, and opposition unity ahead of future elections.
