Judge's order would form basis for discussion - Dr Luncheon Stabroek News January 22, 2001 The PPP/Civic administration expects that the final orders issued by Justice Claudette Singh as a consequence of her decision in the Esther Perreira elections petition vitiating the 1997 general elections would provide the basis for its discussions with the political parties on its implications. Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, told reporters on Friday at a press briefing at the GTV-11 studios, Homestretch Avenue that meaningful decisions could only be made in the context of Justice Singh's orders. He stressed that it was the Cabinet's responsibility to find a way forward and a solution to the present dilemma would be found only in a well-constructed and constitutionally-based formula. Dr Luncheon also observed that Monday's court decision underlined the need for the examination of the importance and extent to which political consensus in Parliament could provide solutions and still remain within the ambit of the constitutionally-ordained practices. Justice Singh based her ruling on the unconstitutionality of the legislation providing for the voter identification card to be the sole means of identification at the December 15, elections. Dr Luncheon said he believed that the political parties did the right thing in deciding on the introduction of the use of the voter identification card but that they neglected to ensure that its use would accord with the constitution. "This was a clear-cut example of political consensus that led to parliamentary intervention to amend the electoral statutes; a unanimous decision which, however, in the judge's ruling was found to be unconstitutional." He asserted too that the administration was still committed to seeking political consensus but that in the light of Justice Singh's ruling, it was more aware as to the extent which it could contribute to the solutions of problems in Guyana. With regard to the implications of the ruling, Dr Luncheon asserted that the government was prepared to await the final orders of the court, but in the meantime will continue to exercise the mandate arising from the will of the people within the context of the voluntary restraints it had imposed on itself. Moreover, given the tensions generated by the decisions, Dr Luncheon stressed that the government would not stand idly by and allow the cohesion of the nation to be compromised. Follow the goings-on in Guyana in Guyana Today