The Parliamentary opposition has thrown its unanimous support behind amendments to the Constitutional Reform Commission Amendment Bill.
Attorney General Anil Nandlall informed the National Assembly that one of the amendments aims to rectify the numerical composition of members within the commission.
The principal act, passed last year, established the Constitution Reform Commission to undertake the crucial task of reforming the constitution.
Although twenty members were initially sworn in last month, it was discovered that the act had provision for only twenty members, while the commission actually had twenty-one members following the recent appointments.
Attorney General Nandlall clarified that the proposed amendment seeks to rectify this discrepancy by amending the relevant clause to substitute the word “twenty” with “twenty-one”.
He further explained that the other amendments are consequential to this correction.
In a significant move, the opposition proposed amendments before extending their support to the bill.
However, Attorney General Nandlall expressed gratitude after learning that these proposed amendments had been withdrawn. He commended the opposition for their decision, acknowledging their good sense in the matter.
The Constitution Reform Commission Act 2022 outlines key areas for potential reforms, including fundamental rights, Indigenous Peoples’ rights, electoral reforms, and enhancing integrity in public office.
With bipartisan support for the amendments, the focus now shifts towards addressing critical issues and advancing the constitutional reform agenda for the betterment of Guyana.