Opposition MPs ask Court to determine whether Jagdeo remains Parliamentarian after missing more than six consecutive sittings

Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) Christopher A. Jones and Tabitha Sarabo-Halley on Wednesday,  8^th February 2024, through their Attorney- at-Law Roysdale Forde SC., MP., filed an application with the High Court addressing the prolonged absence of Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, from the National Assembly and from parliamentary sessions. Jagdeo is said to be absent from the National Assembly for more than six consecutive sittings within the First Session of 2020- 2024.

According to the MPs, good governance relies heavily on active participation of all elected officials and cited the following in support of their contention:

“Articles 54 and 156 1 (b) of the Constitution of Guyana and Standing Order 106 (2) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly of Guyana provides that a seat of a Member of the National Assembly shall be vacated if a member is absent from the sittings in the National Assembly for more than six (6) consecutive sittings of the National Assembly within the First Session (2020-2024) of the Twelfth Parliament of Guyana and within a period of no longer than two calendar months.”

In the Application the two MPs made known Jagdeo was absent for eleven consecutive sittings of the Assembly, notedly from 11^th December 2023 to the 1^st February 2024. This being within the First Session (2020-2024) of the Twelfth Parliament of Guyana.

The application particularly urges the Court to consider the constitutional and legal implications of Jagdeo’s absence from parliamentary sessions and make several declarations including:

“A.      A Declaration that Bharrat Jagdeo, the Third Named Respondent has vacated his seat in the National Assembly by virtue of the conjoint effect and operation of Articles 54 and 156 1 (b) of the Constitution of Guyana and Standing Order 106 (2) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly of Guy-ana as a result of being absent from the sittings in the National Assembly for more than six (6) consecutive sittings of the National Assembly within the First Session (2020-2024) of the Twelfth Parliament of Guyana and within a period of no longer than two calendar months.

“B.       A Declaration that Bharrat Jagdeo, the Third Named Respondent by virtue of the conjoint effect and operation of Articles 54 and 156 1 (b) of the Constitution of Guyana and Standing Order 106 (2) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly of Guyana has vacated his seat in the National Assembly as a result of being absent from the sittings in the National Assembly for more than six (6) consecutive sittings within the First Session (2020-2024) of the Twelfth Parliament of Guyana and within a period of no longer than two calendar months and has consequently ceased to be by virtue of Article 183 (2) of the Constitution of Guyana:

(i)        a member of the Cabinet of Guyana

(ii)       to hold the offices of Vice President and Minister of the Government of Guyana”

The Applicants are desirous of ensuring the upholding of the Constitution of Guyana and secure the integrity of the Guyana’s Parliamentary system.