…Selection “will be convened at the appropriate time”
President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali on Thursday brushed aside concerns that the selection of a new Opposition Leader is taking too long, noting that the process falls squarely within the domain of the legislature.
Responding to questions about the delay, more than three weeks since the last sitting of the National Assembly, the President said he does not view the matter as one “going on for a while,” pointing out that every branch of government has its own internal procedures.
Ali reminded that Guyana’s governance structure is built on three independent branches, the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary, each operating within its own rules. The election of an Opposition Leader, he stressed, lies entirely with the National Assembly.
He added that, based on reports, the Speaker of the National Assembly is currently overseas. “You don’t expect the speaker to convene a meeting while he’s traveling,” Ali said, adding that the House will meet once the Speaker returns and is able to do so.
The President expressed full confidence that the Speaker will convene the sitting at the appropriate time and ensure the process is completed in keeping with parliamentary rules.
