The Constitutional Reform Commission (CRC) has formally launched the public consultation phase of Guyana’s constitutional reform process, even as debate continues over the exclusion of the main parliamentary opposition, We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), from the body responsible for reviewing the country’s supreme law.
In a public notice published on Wednesday, the Commission invited Guyanese at home and abroad to submit written proposals for constitutional reform, marking the start of a nationwide consultation process that will culminate in recommendations to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Constitutional Reform for consideration by the National Assembly.
The Commission was established under the Constitution Reform Commission Act of 2022, which specifically identifies the political parties entitled to representation. Those parties are the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), the Liberty and Justice Party, A New and United Guyana, and The New Movement.
The legislation was enacted before WIN entered Parliament. Following the 2025 General and Regional Elections, WIN secured 16 of the Opposition’s 29 seats in the 65-member National Assembly, making it the largest opposition party. Its leader, Azruddin Mohamed, subsequently became Leader of the Opposition.
The commencement of public consultations has renewed calls for the Commission’s membership to reflect the current composition of Parliament.
WIN Member of Parliament and Opposition Chief Whip, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, said public consultation cannot substitute for representation on the Commission itself.
“Written submissions are not equivalent to participation in the Commission’s deliberations. Citizens can make submissions, but Commissioners debate, deliberate, formulate recommendations and ultimately determine what reaches Parliament,” she said.
“There is a fundamental difference between being consulted and being represented.”
Sarabo-Halley disclosed that the Opposition has prepared draft legislation to amend the Constitution Reform Commission Act by replacing references to specific political parties with institutional categories—the Government, the Official Opposition and the other parliamentary opposition parties represented in the National Assembly.
She said the proposed amendment is “not about WIN” but about ensuring that future Constitutional Reform Commissions automatically reflect the composition of Parliament after every General and Regional Election.
“If enacted, the Commission would automatically reflect the composition of Parliament after every General and Regional Election,” she said, adding that the proposal aligns with recommendations made by The Carter Center to review the Commission’s composition following the 2025 elections.
Support for WIN’s inclusion has also come from the Alliance For Change (AFC).
AFC Chairman and Interim Leader David Patterson argued that WIN should be represented on the Commission because constitutional amendments require the approval of a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly.
He said including all parliamentary stakeholders at the Commission stage would improve the prospects of building the broad political consensus needed before reform proposals are presented to Parliament.
Patterson also revealed that AFC representative Nigel Hughes resigned from the Commission following the 2025 elections to allow the current Leader of the Opposition to nominate a replacement, noting that the vacancy remains available to be filled.
However, APNU Member of Parliament and CRC Commissioner Ganesh Mahipaul maintained that WIN has not been excluded from the constitutional reform process.
He noted that WIN is represented on the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Constitutional Reform, which examines and deliberates on the Commission’s recommendations before they are forwarded to the National Assembly.
“The Constitutional Reform Commission has been duly constituted and is functioning in accordance with the Act of Parliament,” Mahipaul said.
He added that the Standing Committee reflects Parliament’s proportional representation, with the PPP/C holding five seats and both WIN and APNU holding two seats each.
“In light of this process, I am not seeing, at this point in time, any basis for the conclusion that there is some form of disenfranchisement,” he said.
Last September, Commission Chairman, retired Justice Carl Singh acknowledged that any change to the Commission’s composition would require legislative amendment rather than a decision by the Commission itself.
Meanwhile, the Commission said its mandate is to review the Constitution and make recommendations to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Constitutional Reform. As part of that process, it is required to consult “the widest possible geographical area” and engage “as many persons, groups, communities, organisations and institutions as possible,” including political parties, religious and cultural organisations, youth and women’s groups, professional bodies, the private sector and the media.
The consultation process will be conducted in two stages—written submissions followed by public engagements across Guyana and with Guyanese living overseas.
Attorney General Anil Nandlall, speaking during his weekly Issues in the News programme on Tuesday evening, described the exercise as one of “tremendous public importance” and urged citizens to participate.
“The commission has now reached the stage in its work programme where it is now inviting members of the public to make their written submissions,” Nandlall said.
He explained that while the entire Constitution is open for review, the Commission has identified several thematic areas to guide submissions, including fundamental rights and freedoms, Indigenous peoples’ rights, children’s rights, eliminating discrimination, electoral reform, strengthening judicial independence, safeguarding public finances, improving the functioning of Parliament and local government, and ensuring minorities are adequately represented in national decision-making.
“The process, as I said, will largely be driven by the public consultations. It is your views that will inform the amendments that will emanate, or the proposed amendments that will emanate from this process,” Nandlall said.
He added that, in addition to receiving written submissions, the Commission will shortly begin oral hearings in all 10 administrative regions. Persons making written submissions may also be invited to elaborate on their proposals.
Submissions must include the contributor’s full name, address, contact information and valid photo identification, as anonymous submissions will not be accepted.
The Constitutional Reform Commission is tasked with reviewing Guyana’s Constitution and submitting recommendations to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Constitutional Reform, whose report will ultimately be considered by the National Assembly. Any constitutional amendment generally requires the support of a two-thirds majority of elected members of Parliament.
