The Caribbean Court of Justice upheld an appeal validating the appointments of parliamentary secretaries Vikash Ramkissoon and Sarah Browne in Guyana, overturning previous rulings declaring their appointments unlawful. The court affirmed their qualifications as candidates in the PPP/C. Attorney General Anil Nandlall welcomed the decision as a triumph of constitutionalism, resolving ambiguities surrounding the appointments.
On Wednesday, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), headquartered in Trinidad and Tobago, delivered a significant ruling regarding the appointment of parliamentary secretaries in Guyana. The court upheld an appeal initiated by Attorney General Anil Nandlall and two representatives of the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), which led to the validation of the appointments of Vikash Ramkissoon and Sarah Browne to the National Assembly. This decision effectively overturned prior rulings by the Guyana High Court and Court of Appeal that had declared these appointments unlawful due to challenges related to the affiliation of the appointees with the PPP/C. The CCJ noted that Browne and Ramkissoon were presumed qualified for their positions as they were candidates on the PPP/C list during the general elections on March 2, 2020. The opposition party, A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), had argued against their participation. However, the CCJ ruled that there was no evidence presented disputing their qualifications. This landmark ruling also provided clarity on constitutional interpretations that have led to contentious debates in the past, further establishing the primacy of constitutional law in Guyana. Following the ruling, Attorney General Anil Nandlall expressed satisfaction, suggesting that the decision reinforced constitutionalism. He stated that the ambiguities surrounding this matter had been resolved by the definitive judgment of the CCJ, highlighting the importance of constitutional clarity in governance.
The case before the CCJ stemmed from challenges regarding the parliamentary secretaries’ eligibility. Vikash Ramkissoon and Sarah Browne, members of the ruling PPP/C, were targeted by opposition leader Christopher Jones, who claimed their appointments violated electoral and constitutional standards. Previous courts had sided with the opposition; hence, the CCJ’s ruling marked a pivotal reversal. The decisions made by higher courts in Guyana were crucial in setting legal precedents regarding political appointments and the interpretation of constitutional law.
In summary, the CCJ’s unanimous ruling validates the appointments of Vikash Ramkissoon and Sarah Browne as parliamentary secretaries, declaring them lawfully qualified under the constitutional provisions governing such appointments. This decision not only rectifies past judicial interpretations but also promotes a greater understanding of constitutional law in Guyana. The ruling is viewed as a reaffirmation of constitutional integrity and serves to clarify procedural ambiguities that have previously hindered political representation in the National Assembly.
Original Source: caribbean.loopnews.com
