The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has ruled in favor of the Attorney General of Guyana, upholding the appointments of Vikash Ramkissoon and Sarah Browne as parliamentary secretaries after overturning previous court rulings that deemed their placements unlawful. The CCJ emphasized the lack of evidence regarding their qualifications and recognized the necessity of addressing constitutional issues. This ruling is seen as a significant step towards clarifying the legal framework surrounding parliamentary appointments in Guyana.
The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has recently ruled in favor of the Attorney General of Guyana and two parliamentary secretaries, overturning previous court decisions that questioned their appointments. The CCJ unanimously determined that Vikash Ramkissoon and Sarah Browne, appointed as parliamentary secretaries from the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) list, were qualified to serve in the National Assembly. The court asserted that there was no evidence presented that challenged their qualifications and emphasized the importance of resolving constitutional issues of this nature. The controversy surrounding the appointments began when Christopher Jones, an Opposition Chief Whip from the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC), challenged Ramkissoon and Browne’s legitimacy in the Assembly due to their political affiliation. Previously, the Guyana Court of Appeal supported a ruling by Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire that deemed their placements unlawful unless specifically extracted from the candidate list. However, the CCJ’s ruling highlighted that their qualifications were already established as they swore an oath prior to their candidacy. In their judgment, the CCJ vacated the orders from the lower courts and asserted the necessity of clarifying this constitutional matter, which has generated considerable debate in the past. In reaction to the ruling, Attorney General Anil Nandlall remarked that the judgement signifies a triumph for constitutionalism in Guyana, providing definitive interpretation on the provisions related to this situation, thereby eliminating any previous ambiguities. Clearly, the court’s decision reinforces the legitimacy of parliamentary appointments based on adherence to constitutional requirements.
This ruling by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) is significant in the context of the political landscape in Guyana, particularly regarding the legitimacy of parliamentary secretaries. Political parties often challenge appointments based on affiliations, leading to court disputes concerning the qualifications of individuals in public office. This case revolves around the candidates’ rights to serve in the National Assembly, which has wider implications for governance and constitutional law in Guyana. The CCJ’s decision aims to clarify the standing of candidates from political parties serving in parliamentary roles, thus enhancing the interpretation of constitutional provisions in this area.
In conclusion, the CCJ’s ruling affirms the lawful appointments of Parliamentary Secretaries Vikash Ramkissoon and Sarah Browne, thereby reinforcing their qualifications to serve in the National Assembly. This decisive judgment not only resolves a long-standing constitutional issue but also clarifies the legal basis for similar appointments in the future. Attorney General Anil Nandlall’s comments reflect the broader implications of the ruling for constitutional governance in Guyana, indicating a shift towards more definitive interpretations of legal ambiguities.
Original Source: caribbean.loopnews.com
