The Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) says it will appeal the recent ruling by Chief Justice (ag) Navindra Singh in the case involving its exclusion from the ballots in several electoral districts.
The matter was today dismissed, effectively ruling in the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)’s and the Attorney General’s favour.
The case, brought by FGM Candidate, Krystal Fisher centered around the party’s claim that it was unlawfully excluded from the ballots of Regions Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), where the party is not contesting Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) seats.
It said the omission was unconstitutional, but the CJ disagreed, reinforcing that GECOM acted within the confines of the law.
FGM, however, in a statement on Friday night, said that the legal challenge was never about a political party, but was in fact, mounted in the interest of the voter.
“This case was never about a political party. It was about the voter, about ensuring that every Guyanese citizen has the right to participate fairly and equally in national elections,” the FGM noted.
It added that while it accepts the ruling, it will appeal.
“The court has ruled against us. We respect the judgment, but we profoundly disagree with it. In our view, this ruling has implications far beyond Forward Guyana Movement or Ms. Fisher. It touches the very core of our democracy, where sovereignty belongs to the people under Article 9, and where inclusionary democracy is mandated by Article 13,” the party stated.
It notes that importance of such cases in ensuring that citizens have both a right and a duty to clarify the law.
“They must be brought because democracy demands it. We hear the critics, those who dismiss the effort, those who sneer from the sidelines, those who claim victory in costs. But apathy disguised as wisdom, fear disguised as helplessness, and cynicism disguised as cleverness cannot guide our democracy,” the party emphasised.
It commended Fisher for her courage and stressed that it will forge on, noting that “this fight is bigger than one case. It is about whether Guyana will entrench exclusion or whether it will embrace the inclusionary democracy promised by our Constitution.”
GECOM was awarded costs of $1,000,000 and the Attorney General’s Chambers has been also awarded $1,000,000 payable by September 8th.
