Guyana faces early elections as opposition tables no confidence motion in Ramotar administration

The prospect of an early general election in Guyana has increased significantly after the majority opposition grouping, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), signaled its intention to back a motion of no confidence in the Donald Ramotar administration.

The last general elections in Guyana were held on November 28, 2011.

The minority Alliance for Change (AFC) has said it will table the motion of no confidence in the minority People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration. The 2 opposition parties control 33 of the 65-seat National Assembly.

The constitution of Guyana states that on the House’s approval of a no-confidence motion, the President and Cabinet have to resign and make way for general and regional elections within 3 months. If the motion is passed before the House goes into recess on August 10, the elections would have to be called by November. However, if it is approved at the first sitting in October, the polls would have to be called the latest by January, 2015.

President Ramotar has repeatedly said that he is not afraid of going to back to the polls earlier than the constitutional deadline of 2016 to seek a fresh mandate from the electorate.

“We do not take threats. If the opposition wants to pass a no confidence bill, let them pass it and we will be ready to deal with the consequences of that,” he said, adding “when I say I am going to do it, I am going to do it. I wouldn’t even say it.” -(CMC)