The Constitution Reform Commission (CRC) is asking Guyanese to submit proposals on what should be changed in the country’s Constitution, with the deadline for submissions set for December 31, 2026.
The Commission is inviting views on issues ranging from fundamental rights and freedoms and Indigenous and children’s rights to elections, GECOM, the judiciary, public funds and local government.
The CRC says it was established under the Constitution Reform Commission Act 2022 to review the Constitution and make recommendations on changes needed to address the current and future rights, duties, liabilities and obligations of Guyanese.
The Commission will receive, consider and evaluate the submissions before preparing recommendations for the Parliamentary Standing Committee for Constitutional Reform, which can then transmit proposals to the National Assembly.
What the CRC wants Guyanese to weigh in on
Among the areas identified for consideration are:
- protection of fundamental rights and freedoms;
- the rights of Indigenous peoples;
- children’s rights;
- eliminating discrimination;
- improving race relations;
- ethnic security and equal opportunity;
- electoral reform and the functioning of GECOM;
- economic, social and cultural rights;
- the independence of the judiciary;
- protection of public funds;
- integrity in public life;
- the functioning of the National Assembly; and
- the effectiveness of local government.
The Commission stressed that the listed areas do not restrict the scope of the review, meaning members of the public can raise other constitutional issues they believe require reform.
The call comes as the Commission faces a low response to its initial invitation for written submissions.
Attorney General and CRC member Anil Nandlall said earlier this month that only six submissions had been received.
According to Nandlall, the Commission was also told that the submissions received so far largely did not relate to constitutional reform.
He said the limited response could force the Commission to consider another approach to generating public participation, including whether written submissions should remain a prerequisite before wider public consultations begin.
The Commission had planned a two-stage consultation process.
The first stage is the written submission process now underway. The second involves public engagements in all regions of Guyana and with Guyanese in the diaspora.
People who submit proposals could also be invited to participate in face-to-face discussions where the Commission believes their submissions require further consideration.
How to submit
Written proposals must be clearly labelled:
“Written Proposal on Constitutional Reform.”
The Commission requires contributors to provide their full name, address, email address and other contact information, together with a scanned copy of valid photo identification.
Submissions can be delivered to:
Office of the Secretariat
Constitution Reform Commission
5th Floor, 211 Camp and Lamaha Streets
Georgetown
They can also be emailed to [email protected].
The deadline is December 31, 2026.
The constitutional review covers the rules that govern the functioning of the State, the distribution of power and the rights and obligations of citizens. The Commission’s work is therefore intended to produce recommendations that could ultimately result in amendments to Guyana’s supreme law.
Source: NEW ROOMS SITE
