GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – Two opposition legislators have gone to court to remove Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo from the National Assembly after being absent from the legislative chambers for more than six consecutive sitting.
“Good governance relies heavily on the active participation of all elected officials,” Opposition Chief Whip Christopher Jones and Tabitha Sarabo-Halley contend in their motion that has House Speaker Manzoor Nadir and Attorney General Anil Nandlall as respondents.
They also argue that Jagdeo has been absent from more than six consecutive sittings within the first session of 2020- 2024.
The two legislators are asking the High Court to declare Jagdeo’s seat vacated because of his absence from the National Assembly, and in a joint press statement, they said that “good governance relies heavily on the active participation of all elected officials,”
They argue that Jagdeo has breached Articles 54 and 156 1 (b) of the Constitution of Guyana and Standing Order 106 (2) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly of Guyana that provide that a seat of a Member of the National Assembly shall be vacated if a member is absent from for more than six consecutive sittings of the National Assembly and within a period of no longer than two calendar months.
“The application seeks to uphold the Constitution of Guyana and to secure the integrity of the parliamentary system in our beloved country- Guyana,” they said in a statement.
But while he would not respond to the court action, Jagdeo told reporters, “That’s a matter for the Speaker, and we’ll respond accordingly.
“APNU wants to get me out of everywhere now. APNU hates me with a passion,” he added.
Last month, Jagdeo said that he declined to speak during the debate on the 2024 national budget because of the quality of the presentations from the opposition.
and then 