Walkouts won’t derail GECOM’s work – Nandlall warns opposition

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC, has criticised Tuesday’s actions of opposition-nominated Commissioners at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), following their latest walkout during a statutory meeting. He warned that such tactics would not be allowed to derail the country’s electoral preparations.

Commissioner Desmond Trotman staged the walkout minutes into Tuesday’s meeting, effectively collapsing proceedings due to the lack of quorum. The disruption has delayed progress on several agenda items critical to preparations for the 2025 General and Regional Elections, scheduled for September 1.

Addressing the issue during his weekly “Issues in the News” commentary on Tuesday night, Nandlall described the repeated walkouts as a “deliberate strategy” orchestrated by the opposition to obstruct and frustrate the electoral process.

“They don’t wish to go to the elections, and that must have been the direction given to them by the political directorate,” Nandlall said. “On the one hand, their leader puffs his chest and claims he’s ready for elections. On the other hand, his cohorts at GECOM carry out his directions to obstruct and delay the process.”

The Attorney General drew comparisons to the events of 2020, when Guyana was plunged into a months-long electoral impasse. He accused opposition-aligned Commissioners of attempting to “rig from inside” the Commission and protect individuals accused of trying to subvert the election results at the time.

He identified Commissioners Vincent Alexander, Charles Corbin, and Desmond Trotman as the main actors behind what he termed an “irregular form of conduct.” According to Nandlall, their attendance followed by walkouts amounts to a calculated effort to block GECOM’s work by denying meetings a quorum.

However, Nandlall made it clear that the Government and the Commission would not be held hostage. He cited Article 226(5) of the Constitution, which provides a remedy in such situations. Under this provision, if members unreasonably withhold their attendance, the meeting can be automatically adjourned for up to two calendar days. If, at the adjourned meeting, a quorum is still not present, then any four members present – including the Chairperson – shall constitute a lawful quorum.

“This is what will have to be activated,” Nandlall said. “It was used many times during the 2020 elections and even before. The framers of our Constitution contemplated rogue elements banding together to obstruct democracy. That is exactly what we are witnessing again.”

He reiterated that the law was designed to ensure the business of GECOM could continue even in the face of obstruction, and that the Government will ensure electoral preparations are not derailed.

“These repeated walkouts are not new to the Guyanese electorate. But just like in 2020, we will not allow the democratic process to be hijacked,” the Attorney General asserted.