The High Court has rescheduled the constitutional case contesting the Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM) ballot practices to Tuesday, August 26, 2025, after the applicant’s lawyer requested additional time to review the defense’s submission received on Sunday.
Chief Justice (ag) Navindra Singh presided over the proceedings in the matter of Krystal Hadassah Fisher v. GECOM on Monday morning. Observers from the European Union, the Organisation of American States (OAS), and the Carter Center monitored the court session.
In attendance were at least one GECOM Commissioner, alongside legal representatives for both the applicant and the Commission, as well as leaders from the Forward Guyana Movement, including Presidential Candidate Amanza Walton-Desir and Prime Ministerial Candidate Nigel London.
Attorney Vivian Williams, representing Fisher, informed the court that while he was prepared to begin arguments, he needed more time to adequately review GECOM’s defense. Chief Justice Singh, emphasizing his commitment to delivering a ruling within the week, agreed to reschedule the hearing.
GECOM was represented by attorney Arudranauth Gossai, standing in for senior counsel Anthony Astaphan, while Attorney General Anil Nandlall appeared alongside Trishana Lall and Rehanna Clarke. Nandlall supported a swift resolution, arguing that the issues at hand are rooted in “pure law” and do not require additional evidence beyond GECOM’s affidavit.
The case centers on a Fixed Date Application filed by Fisher, a national candidate of the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM). She claims GECOM’s exclusion of her party from ballots in Regions Seven, Eight, and Nine violates multiple constitutional guarantees, including the right to vote, equal suffrage, non-discrimination, and proportional representation. Fisher argues that this exclusion undermines inclusionary democracy and seeks declarations that elections held without full ballot access for qualified parties should be deemed null and void.
Outside the court, Williams expressed confidence in his client’s position, stating, “No law exists to support GECOM’s practice of removing parties from ballots in regions where they do not field geographic candidates.” He challenged critics, asking, “Where in the Constitution or the Representation of the People’s Act does it say that?”
Attorney General Nandlall indicated that the state is prepared to defend GECOM’s interpretation, asserting the constitutional significance of the case, which some government supporters have dismissed as frivolous.
With national elections approaching next Monday, Chief Justice Singh has signaled that arguments will conclude on Tuesday, with a ruling expected before the end of the week.
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