Guyana is a country located in the north of the South American continent, it is bordered with Venezuela, Brazil and Suriname, and has a coast along the Atlantic Ocean. Venezuela has a border dispute with Guyana. Guyana’s capital city is Georgetown, located on the country’s coast at the mouth of the Demerara River. Guyana is also considered a part of the Caribbean Region due to its strong cultural, historical and political ties with it.
It is known that nine indigenous tribes reside in Guyana, with the two most dominant having been the Lokono and Kalina tribes. Christopher Colombus is credited as the first European to sight the land during his third voyage in 1498, and Sir Walter Raleigh wrote an account on the land in 1596. No colonies were set up there until the Dutch arrived, with the first colony being Pomeroon in 1581, followed by three further Dutch colonies being set up over the following decades. The British eventually arrived and assumed control of the area in 1796 and the Dutch officially ceded the land to them in 1814.
In 1831 the British united the colonies into a single British colony known as British Guiana. The border dispute with Venezuela begun as that country gained independence from 1824, Simon Bolivar, a Venezuelan military and political leader who led several South American countries to independence from the Spanish Empire, wrote to the British warning them against settlers in the area settling on lands claimed by Venezuela, with the claims based on Spanish claims of the land dating back to the 16th Century, but an international tribunal ruled in 1899 that the land claimed by Venezuela in British Guiana belonged to Great Britain, due to Dutch claims dating back to the 16th Century that were in-turn ceded to Britain.
Guyana would achieve independence as a Dominion in 1966 and then become a Republic in 1970, Guyana remains a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Soon after Guyana’s independence, Venezuela begun economic, diplomatic and military action against Guyana in an attempt to enforce its territorial claim of the Guayana Esequiba, including some annexations, and support of the Rupununi Uprising, which was eventually crushed by Guyana. The US State Department, US Central Intelligence Agency and the British Government also played a role in influencing Guyana’s political leadership and government against Marxist/Communist influence related to the Cold War. Continued disputes over territory between Guyana and Venezuela are now handled through the UN through provisions of the Treaty of Geneva.
In 1974 the Guyana Government leased 1,500 hectares of land to the Peoples Temple, a new religious movement that started in the US and was led by pastor Jim Jones, the land or settlement became known informally as Jonestown, made up of people mostly from the United States. In 1978 US congressman Leo Ryan visited and toured the settlement as part of an investigation, he was assassinated by members of the Peoples Temple as he was preparing to leave from the Port Kaituma airstrip, four others were killed, the following day a mass murder/suicide took place in Jonestown when members of the Peoples Temple drunk Flavor Aid laced with cyanide, killing 909 people, almost its entire population.
Due to its history Guyana is a highly diverse country made up of many peoples and ethnicities, the largest grouping are Indo-Guyanese, followed by Afro-Guyanese, then Mixed race, and then indigenous Amerindians. The largest religion is Christianity, but there are also a significant number of Hindus and Muslims. The official language is English, and there are 10 officially recognised indigenous regional languages. The country’s currency is the Guyanese Dollar. The country’s population is over 788,000.
Government Type
Guyana is a Presidential Representative Democratic Republic where the President is both Head of State and Head of Government and although there is a Prime Minister they are not Head of Government as is usual with such a position, but is a top advisor to the President as a First Vice President. The Unicameral National Assembly makes up the legislative government. Multiple parties are allowed, all parties must respect the principles of national sovereignty and democracy, parties are also not allowed to cause racial or ethnic division through its policies or founding.
The Supreme Organs of Democratic power in Guyana are the National Assembly, the President and the Cabinet.
Local Government is an important part of the Guyana political system, Parliament has the power to divide Guyana up into 10 Regions for the establishment of local organs or democratic power, these regions can be further subdivided into areas that are granted councils or status of municipality.
Division of Regions and Sub-Regions of local government is decided by the national Parliament based on numerous factors that involve population size, land size, geographical characteristics, economic resources and planned infrastructure, possibility of facilitating rational management and use of such resources and infrastructure, as well as potential for area to become economically viable. A Local Government Commission exists in the National Assembly to deal with matters of these Local Governments.
The Executive Government
The President of the Republic is the Head of State, as well as the supreme executive authority (Head of Government), and the Commander-in-Chief of the country’s armed forces.
Presidential Vacancy and Absence
When the office of President is vacant it will be assumed by the Prime Minister, although if the Prime Minister is also vacant, absent or incapable, then instead a Minister, who is also a member of the National Assembly, and who the Cabinet elects shall hold the office of President, or if there is no Prime Minister or Cabinet, the Chancellor, who is the Head of the Judiciary in Guyana, will hold the office of President. They shall hold the office until a new President is elected.
If the President is temporarily absent due to illness or any other reason, then the President can authorize any member of the Cabinet to hold the office of President until the President returns and revokes their authority. If the President is incapable of choosing someone to stand-in for them then the same procedure is followed as if the President’s office was vacant.
Presidential Duties
The President acts on their own deliberate judgement with the executive powers granted to them by the constitution, unless the constitution says that the President must consult with a specific office or individual on usage of certain powers, in such a case the President can ask such a person or office to reconsider recommendation/advice given to the President on usage of an executive power, the President will act on the recommendation or advice given on such powers.
Subject to provisions of the Constitution and of any law, the President has the power to constitute offices for Guyana, make and terminate appointments to these offices, although such appointments may need approval by the National Assembly if they effect the Consolidated Fund.
The President has the Prerogative of Mercy, allowing him/her to pardon, give respite, lesson punishment or shorten length of punishment/incarceration. There is a Advisory Council on Prerogative Mercy that the President consults with before using the power, it consists of a Chairman who is a Minister designated by the President; the Attorney-General (if they are not the Chairman); and not less than three but not more than five other members appointed by the President, with at least one being a qualified medical practitioner.
The Chancellor (President of the Court of Appeal) and the Chief Justice are both appointed by the President after agreement with the Leader of the Opposition, if either office become vacant for whatever reason then the President can appoint Judges into the position to hold it temporarily after agreement with the Leader of the Opposition.
Judges, including those Acting in positions vacant are appointed by the President after consultation with the Judicial Services Commission.
The President gives assent to legislative bills that are passed by the National Assembly. The President can choose to withhold assent, where the President must then return it to the Speaker of the National Assembly within 21-days with a statement of the reasons for why assent was withheld. If within 6-months the National Assembly pass the same bill against with a two-thirds majority, the President must then give it assent.
Public Commissions exist to handle various areas in appointments, dismissals, and other jobs, they include such as the Public Services Commission, the Judicial Service Commission, the Police Service Commission and so on. They are made up of members either who hold an office in the judiciary depending on requirements, and/or further or all members appointed by the President after any required consultation and through following the guidance of the constitution.
The Executive Organ and Cabinet
The executive authority is invested in the President of the Republic, such powers in accordance with the constitution, can be either directly exercised by the President or through subordinate officers.
As well as the President of the Republic the Executive Organ also involves the Prime Minister (also known as First Vice President), Vice-Presidents and Ministers of Government. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President from among the members of the National Assembly, the person appointed must meet the same requirements that the President meets. The Prime Minister is the principal advisor to the President on discharge of executive functions and is the Leader of Government Business within the National Assembly. The Prime Minister is appointed from the governing party or coalition.
The President can also appoint Vice-President to assist in advising on discharge of duties, the Prime Ministers takes precedence over the other Vice-Presidents.
Ministers are appointed by the President, he/she cannot appoint more than four Ministers and two Parliamentary Secretaries from among people qualified to be elected as members of the National Assembly. The Prime Minister and Vice-Presidents are also Government Ministers. Those who are Ministers but not elected to the National Assembly have the right to sit as a non-voting member within the Assembly.
Ministers may be assigned by the President, responsibility for any business of the Government, including administration of any Department of Government. The President remains fully responsible for anything not assigned to a Minister of Government. The President appoints a Minister or Parliamentary Secretary in the National Assembly to answer on their behalf. Departments of Government headed by a Minister are under the supervision of a Permanent Secretary, which is a public office, one can supervise up to two Government Departments at once, ensuring these departments follow the general direction and control of the Minister/s assigned to them.
The principal legal advisor of the Government is the Attorney-General who is appointed by the President.
The Cabinet is made up of the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, Vice-Presidents and other Ministers of Government appointed to it by the President, Ministers who are not members may be invited to participate by the President. The Cabinet, which is the highest executive decision-making body of the Government, is presided over by the President of the Republic. If the President is absent then the Prime Minister will preside over Cabinet and if the Prime Minister is also absent then a Minister designated by the President shall preside over the Cabinet.
The Cabinet can set-up Sub-Committees of itself to focus on specific areas, including with the advice and guidance of experts in such specific fields or areas.
It is important for the President and his/her Cabinet and Government to maintain the confidence of the National Assembly, if they lose in a vote of confidence by an absolute majority of all elected members of the National Assembly then the President must resign from office and new elections will be organised, the Government and Cabinet will resign once the new President is elected and taken oath into office.
Presidential Removal
The President can be removed from office if they are deemed to be physically or mentally incapable of continuing in office or if the President has violated the constitution or committed any gross misconduct.
On the grounds of incapacity, it can be brought about by members of the National Assembly who were on the same list of that in the President in the last election, via a motion supported by at least a majority of all of them, on the question of the physical or mental incapacity of the President of the Republic, if this happens the Prime Minister informs the Chancellor who will appoint a medical board to investigate the President’s health, if they declare he is incapable then he will be removed from office.
During the investigation the President office will be filled in by the Prime Minister or others stated by the constitution if the Prime Minister cannot.
On the grounds of violation of the constitution or gross misconduct, a motion is brought forth to the Speaker of the National Assembly that is signed by at least one-half of members, which is then presented as a motion to the National Assembly which requires a two-thirds vote to pass, if it passes then the Chancellor will appoint a tribunal to investigate the President. If the tribunal finds the allegations to be substantiated then the National Assembly can pass a motion via two-thirds majority to remove the President from office.
The Legislative Government
The constitution states that the country’s parliament consists of both the National Assembly which is a unicameral chamber and the President of the Republic. It currently has 65 members. It is the main job of the parliament to have legislation introduced to it, to debate on them, possibly amend them and either pass or reject such legislation. Another important job of the National Assembly is oversight of the President and his/her Government.
Legislative Bills can be introduced to the National Assembly by the Government via the President of the Republic or by members of the National Assembly. Members’ Bills cannot be money bills unless they have consent from the Government Cabinet that is signified by a Minister.
There is a Speaker of the National Assembly elected by the members of the Assembly, either from among their own members (excluding Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries) or someone from outside the Assembly who meets the membership requirements. It is the job of the Speaker to maintain orderly debate and make sure the National Assembly rules are followed. A deputy Speaker is also elected by members from among themselves, they cannot be elected from outside the National Assembly and can also not be Ministers or Parliamentary Secretaries. The Speaker or Deputy Speaker can cast a deciding vote if there is a tie.
There is a Leader of the Opposition who is elected by the members of the non-governmental parties represented in the National Assembly to represent them.
A Clerk and Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly is appointed by the President of the Republic after advice from the Speaker.
The President of the Republic has the right to attend and address the National Assembly at any time. The President can also send messages to the National Assembly either read out by the Prime Minister or a Minister designated by the President of the Republic.
The President can at any time prorogue or dissolve parliament via presidential proclamation. Fresh elections are held after parliament is dissolved, parliament may often be dissolved either due to usually scheduled elections or due to unsolvable differences between the National Assembly and Government that has caused deadlock. Proroguing parliament merely prevents members from holding further sessions during such a period but does not lead to new elections, once the period of proroguing parliament is ended members can meet again in parliamentary sessions and resume usual functions of the parliament.
The President of the Republic has the power to recall a Parliament that has been dissolved, such extraordinary circumstances that warrant this includes a State of Emergency or State of War. During a State of War, the parliament can also extend its term by 12-months at a time, although cannot exceed another 5-years.
Standing Committees can be set-up within the National Assembly to focus on specific areas, such as on matters of appointment, specific areas of oversight, and constitutional reform, among others. The President can also appoint Standing Committees subject to any provisions made by Parliament.
The Electoral System
Guyana appears to have a very unique system in electing the President, in that it is tied in with the Parliamentary Election vote, so people who vote for a party in the parliamentary election are also voting for their presidential nominee as well, therefore the winner of the presidential race shall be the party list of the party’s presidential nomination that gets the most votes in the parliamentary election, and if there is a tie the winner is decided by drawing lots. The presidential term is 5-years in-sync with the parliamentary term.
A candidate for President must be a citizen of Guyana who is Guyanese from birth or by parentage, is residing in Guyana during time of nomination for election and was continuously residing in Guyana for at least 7-years immediately before that date. They must also meet the same requirements as those of the National Assembly members. One person can serve a max of two terms as President.
Parliamentary elections to elect the members of the National Assembly take place every 5-years, 25-members are elected from multi-seat constituencies and the rest of the 40 other members are elected from a nationwide constituency using the largest remainder method of proportional representation, which guarantees parties seats for reaching certain vote quotas and divides up remaining seats to parties using a certain formula.
To run as a candidate for the National Assembly and to become a member of it one must be a Guyana citizen who is at least 18-years-old. They must be able to speak English, and unless otherwise afflicted by blindness or other physical cause, read English with a degree of proficiency sufficient to enable them to take an active part in proceedings.
Candidates for the above are disqualified from running if they have allegiance to a foreign power; if they are insane or of unsound mind; if they are under a sentence of death; if they are serving a prison sentence of more than six months; or if they are a member of certain Public Commissions, a Judge or part of certain public tribunals, or certain other public offices.
There is an Elections Commission that gives oversight to elections in Guyana including organizing them and review of electoral legislation and seeing to matters of electoral disputes. Members include a Chairman who is appointed by the President from a list of six suggestions from the Leader of the Opposition who has consulted with all non-governmental parties represented in the National Assembly, if such a list fails to be submitted to the President within a certain timeframe then the President can appoint a Chairman on his/her own judgement as guided via the requirements of the constitution.
Other members of this commission include three members appointed by the President; three members appointed by the President as advised by the Leader of the Opposition after that person has consulted with all non-governmental parties represented in the National Assembly.
To vote in elections one must be a Guyana citizen or a citizen of the Commonwealth domiciled and resident in Guyana, who is at least 18-years-old. Voting is not mandatory.
Sources
The source for this post comes from Guyana’s 1980 constitution with amendments through to 2016 (constituteproject.org) and so should be as up to date as possible but as always there is a chance, I have missed things or misinterpreted other things and of course the constitution can be amended again and so this post may eventually become outdated and as such cross-research is suggested if using this in a serious capacity.
Amendments are proposed by the National Assembly, and require a special majority to pass. Amendments to articles that affect national sovereignty, government structure and powers, and constitutional amendment procedures, need special majority in the National Assembly as well as approval in a National Referendum and assent from the President.
Next up will be the government system of Haiti.
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