An rejected Chairman of Gecom’s nominees should receive an apology
Dear Editor,
There were over 18 prominent individuals on three or four lists of nominees presented by the then Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, one of whom was elected Chairman by the then President, David Granger, after Dr. Steve Surujbally resigned sometime around 2017. He was very broad. spectrum of nominees after wide public consultation. Granger was criticized by Granger as being “not fit and proper” for the job. At the very least, they should receive some form of recognition for agreeing to serve the country only to be reprimanded as unqualified for the job.
The Constitution states that the Chair should be someone with a judicial background or anyone whom the President considers “fit and proper.” The Constitution also states that the President must select someone from a list (or lists) of six nominees submitted by the Leader of the Opposition.
The Constitution was broken – Granger dismissed all of Jagdeo’s nominees (three lists of six) as unfit and fit for the job. They seemed to bring the President at the time into disrepute because they were not judges or lawyers. It was also reported that Major Joe Singh, formerly Chairman of Gecom, was not fit and proper for the post.
Granger insisted that a judge or lawyer be chosen Chairman. None of Gecom’s previous chairs, since the restoration of democracy in 1992, was a judge or lawyer. Granger wanted no judge, but one he preferred – we all know what happened from March until July 2019. He nominated and chose his own Gecom Chairman, James Patterson, in violation of the Constitution. The High Court and Court of Appeal agreed with the President that he could make his own appointment. Justice Rishi Persaud disagreed. The CCJ overturned the majority (2-1) ruling ordering the President to follow the Constitution.
It took weeks for Granger to address the ruling of the CCJ. Patterson held his position for a week instead of immediately resigning on June 19, 2019 after the ruling was made. Jagdeo presented Granger with additional names beyond the 18 previously submitted. Finally, he and Retired Justice President Claudette Singh agreed as the new Chair.
Going by the ruling of the CCJ, Jagdeo’s nominees for the position of Chairman of Gecom were all fit and proper for the job. Their rejection is a plot on their character. Some are very prominent and distinguished professionals with no political baggage – like Lawrence Latchmansingh, Ramesh Dookhoo, Christopher Ram, Rhyaan Shah, James Rose, Gerry Gouveia, Joseph Singh, Annette Arjoon-Martins, Justice BS Roy, Kashir Khan, Justice Krishnadatt Persaud, Justice William Ramlall, Nadia Sagar, among others. They have some form of formal apology and / or recognition for their invaluable contribution to the nation and agree to serve the nation. These individuals volunteered to serve as Chairman of Gecom. They wanted nothing but the best for the nation. In fact, some of them are now serving in state appointments. Others should also be approached to acknowledge their competence and professionalism.
The President, Irfaan Ali, should send a letter or certificate to each of the rejected nominees for Gecom chairman thanking them for agreeing to serve the country. Alternatively, or furthermore, their names should be recognized in Parliament by a motion acknowledging their acceptance as nominees as chairman of Gecom.
Truly,
Vishnu Bisram Dr.