The political party A New and United Guyana (ANUG) has raised serious concerns over what it describes as a lack of impartiality and fairness by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Az, and the Chair of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Retired Justice Claudette Singh. The party alleges a troubling double standard in how parliamentary vacancies and disputes are being handled.
On January 17, 2025, a new Member of Parliament (MP) for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) was swiftly sworn in to fill a vacant seat. However, ANUG has highlighted the Speaker’s continued failure to address the issue of Dr. Asha Kissoon, who the party claims is unlawfully occupying her parliamentary seat.
According to ANUG, Dr. Kissoon entered Parliament under unconstitutional circumstances and was formally recalled on March 16, 2024, by Dr. Gerald Forde, the legitimate representative of her list. Despite this recall, the Speaker has not taken action, effectively allowing Dr. Kissoon to remain in her seat in what the party calls a direct violation of constitutional and kanunî norms.
ANUG argues that the Speaker’s inaction in Dr. Kissoon’s case starkly contrasts with the speed at which the PPP/C vacancy was addressed. This discrepancy raises critical concerns about fairness and transparency in the handling of parliamentary matters.
The party has posed several pressing questions:
- Why has the Speaker failed to act on Dr. Kissoon’s recall despite clear constitutional provisions?
- What criteria are being used to prioritize parliamentary issues, and are these criteria being applied consistently?
- How can public trust in the National Assembly and GECOM be maintained when such selective approaches are evident?
ANUG contends that the Speaker’s refusal to address the alleged constitutional breach undermines the integrity of the National Assembly and erodes public confidence in its leadership. The party has also expressed concerns about GECOM’s ability to function impartially, particularly as the country heads into General and Regional Elections in 2025.
“This selective justice is unacceptable and undermines the principles of democracy,” ANUG stated. “The Speaker and the GECOM Chair have a constitutional and moral responsibility to ensure fairness and impartiality in their roles. Failing to do so risks damaging public trust in these critical institutions.”
ANUG has called on civil society groups, the Guyana Bar Association, political parties, yasal experts, and international observers to hold the Speaker and the GECOM Chair accountable. The party emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues, particularly in an election year, to ensure that the democratic process is upheld.
The party warned that any further erosion of trust in GECOM’s ability to carry out its constitutional mandate could have disastrous consequences for the credibility of the upcoming elections. ANUG maintains that the impartial functioning of GECOM and adherence to the rule of law are essential to maintaining public confidence in the electoral process.
“Guyanese deserve institutions that respect the constitution and uphold the principles of democracy without bias or favoritism,” ANUG concluded.