Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, has responded to a legal challenge filed by the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) against the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). During a televised interview with the National Communications Network (NCN) on Friday, Nandlall characterized the challenge as “baseless and frivolous.”
The case alleges that certain approved political parties were unlawfully excluded from ballots intended for distribution in several regions ahead of the upcoming General and Regional Elections on September 1. Nandlall described the lawsuit as reflecting a significant misunderstanding of Guyana’s constitutional and electoral framework, labeling it an abuse of the court’s process.
“This case, in my humble and respectful view, is a demonstrable illustration of a major lack of understanding of our electoral framework, as established by the constitution of our country, and the electoral machinery as established by the relevant statutory provisions,” Nandlall stated.
The Attorney General reassured the public that the legal challenge would not affect the upcoming elections and emphasized that it lacks any chance of success. “The case has absolutely no merit, it has no likelihood of success, and would amount to a colossal waste of the court’s time,” he added.
Nandlall pointed out the unusual timing of the legal action, noting the unnecessary diversion of resources required to address a “hopeless legal challenge” just days before the elections. He asserted that the court has an obligation to express its discontent with such frivolous and vexatious actions.
The AG reminded viewers that the leader of the party bringing the case is an attorney-at-law and should be fully aware of the constitutional and statutory provisions governing Guyana’s elections. He also indicated that the affidavit submitted undermines the claim by failing to present a valid legal basis for relief.
Expressing confidence in the court’s decision, Nandlall hopes it will dismiss the case and impose costs to deter future abuses of the judicial process. “Hopefully, at the end of the matter, the court would express its displeasure with its process being so abused and impose an appropriate order in relation to costs,” he concluded.
PPP Councillor Dismisses APNU’s ‘Free House Lot’ Promise as Political Gimmick
