No Need for the President to Dissolve the National Assembly

Dear Editor,

The Constitutional life of the National Assembly ended on 18 September 2019 as a result of the non-extension of its life by a two-thirds vote as required by the Constitution, for such extended period as determined by the National Assembly.

What legal advice is given to the President on the life of the National Assembly? Many citizens reject the advice on this matter from the third rate lawyers in the Government from the PNC and AFC, including from the office of Attorney General, and the Office of the President.

The passage of the no-confidence vote in the Government on 21 December 2018, notwithstanding the costly frivolous and vexatious appeal challenges in the Courts. The validity of no-confidence vote was affirmed by the Chief Justice in the High Court earlier, and by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on 18 June 2019, when the “90-day clock” started to tick again for the life of the Government until 18 September 2019, by which time the national and regional elections were constitutionally required to be held.

There was no constitutional extension by the 18 September 2019; and as a Constitutional consequence, the National Assembly cannot be resurrected for dissolution, and the Cabinet, and the Offices of the Speaker, and Leader of the Opposition are functionally dead, together with the National Assembly.

The Government is NOT observing the rule of law, and the Constitution. It seems not concerned, and carries on as usual, despite its constitutional care-taker status. The Government is unconstitutional and illegal, but it is confident that it will not be forced out of office It is widely known that Government has the loyalty of the army, police and the public service to maintain it in power at all costs.

The country now has to endure the shame of this constitutional crisis created by Granger and his APNU- AFC Government without public accountability.

Yours Faithfully,
Joshua Singh