Guyana Court of Appeal ruling ‘disturbing’

PORT OF SPAIN (CMC):

The Trinidad and Tobago government Monday said it would urge the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to await a request from Guyana on any new development regarding the disputed March 2 regional and general elections after a the Court of Appeal last week rule that the grouping had no jurisdiction to supervise the recounting of ballots.

On Sunday, the Guyana Court of Appeal ruled that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) cannot hand over its responsibilities, including the management and supervision of the elections to any other body.

The court felt that by having any outside entity overlooking the recount, it would be a case of GECOM allowing the outsourcing of its constitutional responsibilities.

But Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, speaking at a news conference here, said he found the ruling “disturbing” since it gave the impression that CARICOM had been engaged in something illegal in Guyana.