News Source Guyana Reports | Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand, clarified today that her office does not play a role in resolving the deadlock following the election for a Regional Chairman in Region 10, which ended in a tie last month.
During the election held on October 10, WIN Party candidate Mark Goring and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) candidate Dominique Blair both received an equal number of votes for the position. The Region 10 Clerk of Council, Dwight John, announced that the Minister would need to cast a deciding vote to break the tie.
However, Manickchand explained during her appearance on GoMoseley Radio that amendments to the laws governing the election of Regional Chairmen, made between 2015 and 2020, have removed the minister’s role in such situations. “Somewhere around 2017, the role of the Minister changed. I agree with the change. The minister, who is politically partisan, would not decide who becomes the chair if something like this happens,” she stated.
The election has been marked by gridlock, prompting WIN to threaten legal action against the Clerk of Council if a meeting to elect the Chairman and Vice Chairman was not convened within 48 hours. Despite that ultimatum expiring, no progress has been made regarding the election.
Manickchand emphasized that the responsibility to advance the process lies with the Clerk of Council. “I have no doubt that Region 10 is going to have their process moved forward, and a chair and vice chair will be determined,” she said. “Sometimes it is far more than you see on the surface. I think the parties there have their own issues too.”
Last week, at the swearing-in ceremony for Regional Chairs and Vice Chairs for the other nine regions, President Irfaan Ali expressed confidence that the elections for Region 10 would occur in due time. “I am sure that within the ambit of the constitution and governing rules, the Chair and Vice Chair of Region 10 will be sworn in at the appropriate time,” he told reporters.
In a pre-action letter from WIN’s Attorney Siand Dhurjon, it was contended that the Clerk of Council made errors during the electoral process, requiring a restart of the voting for the two top regional positions. Dhurjon argued that the suspension of the election process was unlawful and reiterated that the Minister no longer possesses the authority to unilaterally appoint a chairman for any Regional Democratic Council.
- Two Men Admit to Killing Taxi Driver During 2021 Robbery
- Two Teenagers Granted Bail in Mc Doom Robbery Case
- AFC Urges Speaker to Convene Meeting for Election of Opposition Leader
- APNU Calls for Increased Cash Grants to Address Economic Challenges
- GPF Hosts Christmas Awards Ceremony
