Ramjattan to lead Constitutional reform should APNU+AFC win polls
Alliance For Change Leader and Coalition PM Candidate Khemraj Ramjattan
Alliance for Change Leader and Prime Ministerial hopeful Khemraj Ramjattan is slated to be the point person to lead Guyana’s constitutional reform process should the A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance Force Change returns to government. This was confirmed by a senior government functionary on the sidelines of the coalition’s manifesto Friday on Lamaha Street.
When the question on constitutional reform was put the head table, President David Granger charged Ramjattan to respond to the question but not before he, President Granger noted that the process is a complex one which has been ongoing for some twenty years and also passed through the hands of three Attorneys General of the Peoples Progressive Party Civic.
BIG Smith News Watch engaged a senior government functionary on the issue after the event concluded, to get clarity on why the question was directed to Ramjattan to answer it was then confirmed that he would be the person leading the process should the grouping retains the seat of government
“We would like first of all to itemize and inventories all those that were passed during the previous years and then ensure the best method of getting them implemented into a constitution that; i.e becoming constitutionalized. Some require a majority in parliament, some require two thirds some require a referendum and all of that and of course additionally, we want to continue countrywide community consultations in relation to other” Ramjattan said at the APNU+AFC manifesto launch on Friday.
Ramjattan said the process will require wider consultations as he made reference to previous consultations that were held and where some recommendations were put forward.
“But the process is going to continue and we are going to as best as possible fast track constitutional reform after wide consultation and after getting the expert advice and parliamentary approval,” Ramjattan told the gathering on Friday last.
There were several challenges that cased the APNU+AFC government no to be able to implement the reforms over the last few years according to Ramjattan as there were several other burning issues such as ensuring sugar is salvage and then the other challenges ‘which you are aware of’ he stressed as he said that it is not just going to be based on what newspaper writers and some legal experts want.
Under the heading ‘Our Governance Programme’ in the coalition’s manifesto said the objective is to promote respect for the rule of law.
It focused on continuing the work of the constitutional reform commission, allocation of funding country-wide, community consultations and a commitment to contribute to a constitution which reflects the will of the wider society and country.
Constitutional reform over the last four years was the responsibility of outgoing Prime Minister Prime Moses Nagamootoo.
