by staff writer
GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Jan 9, CMC – President David Granger said Wednesday that agreement had been reached with Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo that regional and general elections will be held within the administrative capability of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).
Granger, speaking following the 75-mnute talks with Jagdeo on the way forward following the December 21 motion of no confidence that led to the downfall of his coalition A Partnership for National Unity (PNU) said he has also assured the opposition that there is no intention by his administration to derail the Constitution of Guyana.
“He is assuring the public that both sides are working towards a solution and that public interest remains paramount for the Coalition Government,” according to a government statement issued follow the meeting.
The talks were held at the Ministry of the Presidency and follows the decision of former government back bencher, Charrandass Persaud, who sided with the motion by Jagdeo, to give the People Progressive Party (PPP) a 33-32 victory in the 65-member National Assembly.
The PPP has since called on the government to name the date for fresh general elections which it says must be held before March this year.
As he emerged from the meeting Jagdeo told reporters that “it was a good meeting so far”.
Granger was accompanied by a delegation that includes Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan and Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge while Jagdeo’s J six-member delegation includes Juan Edghill, Anil Nandlall, Odinga Lumumba and Dr. Frank Anthony.
Greenidge told reporters that the meeting was a win for everybody without elaborating.
A joint communique is expected to be issued later and Jagdeo and members of his delegation are expected to host a news conference at 2.00 pm (local time) on Wednesday.
