CONSTITUTION OF THE PARTY

1. The Name of the Organisation is the People’s National Congress; hereinafter referred to as “the Party.” Its headquarters shall be known as “Congress Place”.
2. • As a democratic organization, the Party believes that all persons are entitled to live a full, productive and happy life.
   • Membership of the Party is open to all Guyanese regardless of ethnic origin, cultural background, geographic location or religious persuasion. The Party opposes all forms of racism, discrimination,
     intolerance and oppression
   • The Party is committed to:
     • The development of a free and open society with social justice and equity for all citizens.
     • The pursuit of policies which enable the best use of the material and human resources of the country,
       for the benefit of all citizens:
     • The principle of freedom and democracy, including freedom of enterprise, conscience, association, expression and the choice of representatives;
     • The principle of freedom and democracy, including freedom of enterprise, conscience, association, expression and the choice of representatives;
     • the pursuit of policies and programmes which promote the interests of the disadvantaged in the society.

The Objects of the Party shall be:

1. To create an environment which is favourable to the Party’s winning and maintaining governmental office by electoral means.
2. To create the framework for every Guyanese to work for spiritual upliftment and to share in the economic wellbeing of the country and to ensure that there is equality of opportunity in the political, economic and social life of the country.
3. To promote and economic and social development of Guyana in a sustainable way through the rational use of its resources and the conservation of the environment.
4. To motivate the people of Guyana to improve by their own efforts their individual and community well-being.
5. To create the spiritual and material environment and opportunities for nurturing the nation’s children.
6. To work for the creation of opportunities for the youth to be meaningfully involved in the decision-making processes throughout the country.
7. To enable women to contribute to the full extent of their individual capability at all levels of Party organization and national life.
8. To uphold the rights of our indigenous people and ensure that their institutions, cultures and traditions are protected, and their development promoted.
9. To promote the development and full use of the intellectual capacity and the technological and entrepreneurial talents of all the people of Guyana.
10. To contribute to the creation of a climate of peace, stability and social cohesion. The Party recognizes that such a climate is the basis for the economic prosperity of the nation.
11. To maintain its commitment to the democratic ideal by ensuring the expression of the popular will and the good governance of Guyana.
12. To establish links with relevant external organizations for the purpose of promoting bilateral relations, regional solidarity and integration, and advancing world peace.
13. To support members of the Party as well as individuals and groups who are not Party members but whose objectives are consistent with those of the Party, for election to the National Assembly and the Local Democratic Organs.
14. To co-operate with local and overseas voluntary and Non-Governmental Organizations in pursuance of the objectives of the Party and of the nation.

1. There shall be 3 categories of membership, as follows:
   • Youth Membership: open to persons 14 to 35 years old (inclusive). Persons 14 to 18 shall exercise youth membership only through the G.Y.S.M.On attaining 18 years of age, such members may apply for individual adult membership which may be exercised through the G.Y.S.M. on to age 35.
   • Individual Adult Membership: open to persons above the age of 18 years.
   • Honorary membership: this category of Membership may be conferred by the Central Executive Committee by the Leader at his discretion.
2. No person shall enjoy more than one category of membership at the same time.

Every member shall take a pledge of fidelity to the Party in the form prescribed by the General Council.

Each applicant for membership must:

1. pay such application fees and subscriptions and comply with such conditions as may be prescribed by the General Council from time to time;
2. accept and conform to the Constitution, programmes, principles and policies of the Party;
3. promote and defend the programmes, principles and policies of the Party at all times.

 

GENERAL OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS

1. Every member must:
   • pay an initial fee, an annual renewal fee and such subscriptions as may be prescribed by the Central Executive.
   • attend Group meetings regularly and punctually, and other Party meetings and manifestations at which his/her presence is required.

RIGHT

1. • have a right to participate fully and constructively at the appropriate forum in all discussions and debates which are intended to lead to policy formulation and to decision making,
   • have a right at any forum, to explanations of decisions of that forum or any other forum supervised by it.

MEMBERSHIP TO CEASE ON NON‐PAYMENT OF FEES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS

1. • Any member who is more than three (3) months in arrears of fees and obligatory subscriptions shall be deemed unfinancial and shall forfeit all the rights and privileges of membership but such a member may be reinstated automatically on the payment of all outstanding indebtedness within a further three months.
     Thereafter, a member in default for non-payment of obligatory subscriptions may be reinstated by the Central Executive Committee only, on the payment of his/her current indebtedness and on such other terms and conditions as the Committee may deem to be appropriate.
   • Groups may arrange for members to pay their subscriptions on an annual, monthly or weekly basis; provided that, where members elect to pay on an annual basis, such payment shall be made in advance.

DUTY TO RENEW MEMBERSHIP

1. • Membership shall expire on the last day of May every year.
   • It shall be the duty of each member to renew his/her membership every year and for this purpose he/she shall, in good time before the expiration of his/her membership, do all things necessary to ensure its prompt renewal.

 

FINANCIAL YEAR

1. The Party’s financial year shall run from the first day of June to the last day of May, and all financial records and a register of assets shall be kept accordingly.
   The Central Executive Committee may vary the financial year in its discretion.

STANDARD FORM OF KEEPING ACCOUNTS

1. All financial records shall be kept and funds dealt with and returns made, in the form and manner prescribed from time to time by the Central Executive Committee.
2. All Party funds shall be deposited in, and all accounts kept with, a prescribed Bank or such other financial institution as may be approved by the Central Executive Committee.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

1. The Central Executive Committee shall prescribe rules to regulate:
   • subscriptions;
   • financial administration at the various levels;
   • the procedure for the forwarding of subscriptions.

VOLUNTARY

1. Any Group may in addition to the obligatory subscriptions collect voluntary subscriptions from its members.

GENERAL

1. The Central Executive Committee may from time to time make rules regulating fund-raising activities, the disbursement of monies and the provisions of financial statements and reports.

 

Standard Form of keeping Records

1. All Party records shall be kept and returns made in the form and manner prescribed from time to time by the Central Executive Committee.

 

Right to Inspect Party Records

1. Any member shall have the right to inspect the membership register of his/her own Group or of any Region orsubdivision within which he/she is a member, in accordance with rules prescribed by the Central Executive Committee.
2. • The General Council, the Central Executive Committee, the Leader, and the General Secretary shall have power to authorize any person to inspect any Party book or record and make extracts therefrom.
   • A Regional or sub-divisional Committee may authorize any person to inspect its own books or records or those of any Committee over which it has supervisory jurisdiction, and make extracts therefrom.
   • A Group Committee may authorize any person to inspect its own books or records and make extracts therefrom.

 

Standard Form of keeping Records

1. Membership Cards shall be issued upon the successful application for membership, and renewed and/or validated annually upon the payment of the required subscription to the Party Secretariat, through the proper channel of communication.

 

Misuse of Membership Card

1. No member shall tender, display or otherwise use his Membership Card to gain improperly for himself or any other person, any benefit or favour, or to influence improperly any person or agency.

 

Care of Membership Card

1. Every member shall take particular care of his/her Membership Card and ensure that it does not get into the possession of unauthorized persons, and is in no way misused.

Proof of Party Membership

1. Possession of a valid and current Membership Card shall be prima facie proof of membership of the party.

 

Basic Unit

1. • The party Group shall be the basic unit of the Party.
   • Each Group shall consist of no fewer than twelve (120 members, and its formation shall be approved by the Committee for the area within which the group falls.
     The General Secretary may in special circumstances authorize the formation of groups with smaller numbers and shall report to the Central Executive Committee, when any such authorization is given.

Area within which Membership May be Exercised.

• Membership may be exercised in any Group within the neighbourhood where the member resides.
• A member may continue to exercise his/her membership in the neighbourhood in which he/she originally belonged if he/she has since removed.
• Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-paragraph ( c) above:
  • A member may, with the permission of the General Secretary, join a group outside the neighbourhood where he/she resides if there is no Group structure within the area where he/she resides.
  • the General Secretary may in special circumstances authorize a person to be a member outside of the Group structure.

Special Group

• The General Secretary may authorize on such conditions as he may prescribe, the formation of special Groups on the basis of the members being associated (whether as employees or otherwise) in the same economic, social and other organization.
• In sub-paragraph (c) and (d) above, the term “member” includes an applicant for membership of the party.

 

GROUP MEETINGS

1. Meetings of the Group shall be held at least once in every month.

 

Disputes In or Between Groups

1. Questions of dispute within a Group or between Groups shall be decided by the Committee for the neighbourhood within which the group falls from which there shall be a right of appeal to the Committee which has supervisory jurisdiction, whose decisions shall be final.

Power to form Sub‐Committees

1. A group may appoint such sub-committees as it considers desirable, and may elect from among its members persons to serve on such sub- committees.

Annual Group Elections

1. Each Group shall annually, in the period February to March, elect its officers who shall normally be Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer (and, at the discretion of the Group, Vice –Chairman, Assistant Secretary, and Organising Secretary) and not more than three committee members.

Power of Groups to Remove Their Officers

1. A Group shall have the right, on a motion carried by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the membership entitled to vote, to remove any or all of its officers;
   Provided that notice of such a motion is given at the regular meeting immediately preceding the meeting at which the motion is to be voted on.
2. • The Secretary of each Group must inform the Committee which has supervisory jurisdiction of the intention to hold Group elections at least eight (8) clear weeks before the proposed date.
   • The supervisory committee, shall within one (1) week of the receipt of the notice, give its approval or propose another date for the elections.

 

Supervision of Group Elections

1. Group elections shall be supervised by an officer of the committee having supervisory jurisdiction;
   No person shall supervise any elections in a Group of which he is a member.
   Persons Not Eligible To Hold Party Office
2. • A person shall not be eligible to be nominated for election to office if, at the date of nomination, he/she –
     • has ceased to be a member; or
     • is not up-to-date with his/her financial obligations; or

.

• has been debarred from holding office by a disciplinary authority and the period for which he/she has been debarred has not expired; or
• does not satisfy any condition for eligibility prescribed by the General Council.
• A person shall be incapable of holding office and shall automatically lose such office if, at the time of his/her election or at any time thereafter while in office, he/she is affected by any of the disqualifications set out in sub-paragraph (a) above.

Party Regions and their Sub‐Divisions

1. For the purpose of Party Organisation;
   • the Party shall be divided into Regions, in keeping with the exact divisions as prescribed by and constituted under the Laws of Guyana for the purpose of local democracy;
   • each Region shall be sub-divided into Districts, Neighbourhoods and Groups as prescribed by the Central Executive Committee. These Sub-Divisions may as far as practicable, correspond with the boundaries of the Local Democratic Organs.
2. Notwithstanding any rule to the contrary, the Central Executive Committee shall have power from time to time to vary the boundaries of a Party Region or to make special arrangements with respect to the organization of any region or sub-division

Overseas Regions

1. • The Central Executive Committee may authorize the establishment of Party Regions outside of Guyana.
   • Where the Party Region is located outside of Guyana, it shall have power to draft rules for regulating its organization and procedures subject to their ratification by the Central Executive Committee.

REGIONAL AND SUB‐DIVISIONAL CHARIMEN AND COMMITTEES

Election of Regional Officials

1. • The Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer of every Party Region shall be elected at the Annual Regional Conference
     The Regional representative to the Central Executive Committee shall be elected annually at the Regional Conference.
   • Every Region and Sub-division shall be managed by a committee which shall be constituted as hereinafter provided in paragraph (9) of this rule.
   • Where a Region or Sub-division has the right to send a representative to General Council,
     The Regional or Sub-Divisional Committee shall elect its representative from among its members provided that the Region shall not elect one of its members who by virtue of his office shall attend General Council.
     If for any reason the representative cannot attend, the committee shall name one of its members to attend.
   • Every Committee shall appoint a date, time and place for statutory monthly meetings and subject to this, shall meet for the purpose of discharging its duties and responsibilities.
   • Every Committee may function through Sub-Committees.
   • Every Committee shall, subject to any rule, regulation or direction made or given by Central Executive Committee for this purpose, have power to raise funds for the purpose of its activities.
2. In any case where there is no Regional Committee in a Region, the Central Executive Committee may exercise the powers of a Regional Committee or appoint a provisional Committee.
3. RESPONSIBILITIES AND AUTHORITY OF COMMITTEESThe Regional and Sub-Divisional Committee shall, within their respective jurisdictions, be responsible for:

 

• giving effective leadership, by example;
• planning and supervising Party activities;
• implementing the policies and programmes of the Party;
• enforcing Party discipline;
• promoting co-operation with the party on the one hand and the other organizations and agencies and the people on the other, and ensuring the necessary co-ordination of programmes and activities.
1. SUPERVISORY JURISDICTION OF COMMITTEESThe Regional and Sub-Divisional Committee shall, within their respective jurisdictions, be responsible for:

 

• Each Sub-Division Committee shall have immediate supervisory jurisdiction over, and be responsible for the proper and efficient functioning of the Sub-Divisions within its jurisdiction.
• If for any reason a Party Committee does not exist or cease to function in a Region, the Committee having
  immediate supervisory jurisdiction shall exercise all the powers and discharge all the responsibilities of that Committee, or appoint a provisional Committee.
1. REGIONAL AND SUB‐DIVISIONAL STAFFThe Regional and Sub-Divisional Committee shall, within their respective jurisdictions, be responsible for:

 

• Every Regional and Sub-Divisional Committee may, subject to the rules, regulations and directions of the Central Executive Committee made or given for this purpose, appoint full-time or part-time paid staff who shall be deemed to be employees of the Party, and given appropriate designations.
• Every such employee must be a member of the Party. He shall automatically cease to be an employee if, for any reason whatsoever, he ceased to be a member of the Party.
• The payment of the salaries of such employees shall be the responsibility of the Region or Sub-Division, as the case may be, with which they work.
• Such employees shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the appointing Chairman and Committee who shall prescribe their duties and exercise general supervisory and disciplinary authority over them.
• The Regional and Sub-Divisional Chairmen shall, on behalf of their Committees, supervise the day-to-day activities of such employees.
1. COMPOSITION OF THE REGIONAL AND SUB‐DIVISIONAL COMMITTEE
   • The Regional Committee
     The Regional Committee shall be constituted as follows:

 

• The elected Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, as provided for in Rule 10(4)(a) and the elected Regional representative to the Central Executive Committee.
• Three (3) other members, all of whom shall be elected at the Annual Regional Conference.
• The Chairmen of the Sub-Divisional Committee immediately below the Region.
• The Regional Chairman of the GYSM and of the NCW or their nominees.

 

• The Sub‐Divisional Committees

 

Each Sub-Divisional Committee shall be constituted as follows:

 

• The Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and (two) 2 committee members of the Sub-Division who shall be elected at the Annual Conference/Meeting of the Sub-Divisioin.
• The Chairmen of the Sub-divisions which come under its immediate supervision.
• The Chairmen of the GYSM and NCW of the Sub-Divisions.
• Each of the Regional and Sub-Divisional Committees may elect other officers from among its members as it deems fit, and shall establish its own procedures for the conduct of its business.

 

 

1. The Regions and Sub-Divisions shall hold Annual Conferences; in accordance with the Schedule prescribed by the Central Executive Committee.
2. • The Secretary of a Committee shall give eight (8) weeks clear notice of the Committee’s intention to hold the Annual Conference.
   • Notice shall be given to its membership and to the following Party Officials; The General Secretary, the Regional Chairman and the Chairman of the Sub-Division having immediate supervisory jurisdiction.

 

REPRESENTATION AT ANNUAL CONFERENCES

 

1. • Representation at Annual Regional and Sub-divisional Conferences shall be on the basis Groups.
   • Every Group shall be entitled to send to Annual Conference, one (1) delegate for every five (5) financial members.
   • The GYSM shall be entitled to send to Annual Conference, one (1) delegate for every five (5) financial members who are 18 years and over, and one (1) delegate for every twenty-five (25) below age 18 years.
   • The NCW shall be entitled to send to Annual Conference, one (1) delegate for every twenty-five (25) members; provided that where it has not established a corresponding Sub-Division, it may elect to send to conference a maximum of five (5) delegates who are resident in the Sub-Division.
   • All Party members of Parliament and of the National Congress of Local Democratic Organs whose sphere of representation or Party assignment relates to the area with respect to which the conference is being held, shall be ex-officio delegates to the Conference.
   • Every affiliated organization which functions or has a membership in the region or Sub-Division, as the case may be, shall be entitled to send up to three (3) delegates to Conference.
   • All members of Groups within the Region, or Sub-Division, as the case may be, shall be entitled to attend Conference, but only duty accredited delegates shall be entitled to vote.

 

1. BUSINESS TO BE TRANSACTED AT ANNUAL CONFERENCES

 

Elections

• • Every Annual Conference shall elect its officers and its Committee, as provided for in the constitution.
  • Every Annual Conference shall also elect representatives to other bodies, as provided for in the constitution.

 

• The Committee shall present to Conference a Written report on the state of the party organization in the area under its jurisdiction. The report shall include full particulars on –
  • The number of Groups; the number and categories of members; the changes in these numbers during the past year and explanation therefore;
  • The activities organized and the programmes implemented during the past year (including number and names of Group or Sub-Divisional Committees visited);
  • all fund-raising activities;
  • the finances of the Region, Sub-Division or group, as the case may be, giving full information of all monies received from various sources during the past year and the ways in which such monies were disbursed or otherwise dealt with.

 

• A copy of the report referred to in sub-paragraph (b) above shall be circulated, at least four (4) clear weeks before the date of conference, to the chairmen of all sub-divisional and other Committees in respect of which the Region or Sub-Division holding the Conference has immediate supervisory jurisdiction.
• The Committee shall present to Conference for discussion, debate and adoption a plan of programme and activities for the ensuing year.
• The plan shall be circulated to the relevant Sub-Divisions or Groups at least four (4) clear weeks before the date of Conference.
• The Committee shall send to the General Secretary copies of the report and the plan referred to in the above paragraphs.
• The Chairman and the Secretary shall have joint responsibility for ensuring that all proper arrangements for Annual Conference are made in a timely manner and that the provisions in sub-paragraphs (b) (c) (d) and (e) are observed.
• Any failure to observe the deadlines mentioned in paragraphs (c) and (d) above shall not in itself invalidate the conference.

 

 

1. A Regional or Sub-Divisional Special Conference may be convened to deal with any matter in the following way:
   • In case of a Region –
     • at the request of the General Secretary;
     • at the instance of the Regional Committee.
     • on the joint requisition of at least fifty percent (50%) of the committees immediately below the region level;
     • on a written requisition signed by at least fifty percent (50%) of the members attached to Groups within the Region.
   • • at the request of the General Secretary
     • at the instance of the Sub-Divisional Committee;
     • at the instance of the Committee having immediate supervisory jurisdiction;
     • on the joint requisition of at least fifty percent (50%) of the Sub-Divisional Committee immediately under the jurisdiction of the Sub-Division in respect of which the special Conference is being requested.
     • On a written requisition signed by fifty percent (50%) of the number of members attached to Groups within the relevant Sub-Division.
2. The person of Group requisitioning a Special Conference shall state clearly the subject matter the conference would be required to deal with.
3. Once the rules have been complied with, it shall be the joint duty of the Chairman and the Secretary of the Region or Sub-Division, as the case may be, to make the necessary arrangements for a Special Conference.

 

1. The Officers of the party shall be the LEADER, the Chairman, Vice Chairman and such members of the Central Executive Committee as may be appointed to hold Party office in terms of paragraph (2) below.

 

The General Secretary, Treasurer and Principal Political Secretaries

1. • The Party Leader shall appoint the General Secretary from among the members of the Central Executive Committee, as provided for under Rule 17 (1) (c);
   • The Party Leader shall appoint, from among the members of the Central Executive Committee, the Treasurer.
   • The Party Leader may also appoint not more than three Principal Political Secretaries to whom he may assign specific duties.
2. The Party Leader may, in his discretion, prescribe that all or certain designated Party officers, shall be full-time functionaries of the Party.
3. The General Secretary shall be the Chief Executive Officer in charge of the Party Secretariat and shall be responsible for its efficient organization and its day to day functioning.
4. The Party Leader, Chairman and General Secretary shall be ex officio members of all Committees, Groups, Arms, Units or Agencies of the Party.

 

Biennial Delegates’ Congress

 

1. The supreme authority of the Party shall be the Biennial Delegates Congress, which shall be held at such time and place every two (2) years as the General Council or the Central Executive Committee may decide. For the avoidance of doubt, the supremacy of the Congress means that the Congress has the right to review or to order a review of and decision taken by any other forum, organ or committee of the Party.

Delegate Representation at Congress

1. • Each Group shall, entitled to send to Congress one (1) delegate for each ten (10) financial members;
   • Each Y.S.M. group shall be entitled to send to Congress one (1) delegate for every ten (10) members between the ages of 18 to 35 and one (1) delegate for every twenty – five (25) below the age of 18.
   • The N.C.W. shall be entitled to send as delegates to Congress all members of its National Executive Committee and three (3) members from each Region.
   • All members of the General Council, Party Nominees to the Parliament and National Congress of Local Democratic Organs shall be entitled to attend the Biennial Congress and participate in its deliberations, but of these only party members have the right to vote merely by virtue office.

 

Observers

1. The General Secretary may accredit as observers at Congress, any number of persons (whether members or not) he may consider expedient.

Congress to elect certain Officers and Executive Committee Members

1. The Biennial Delegates Congress shall elect the Party Leader, Chairman, Vice Chairman and fifteen (15) other members, who shall become the elected members of the Central Executive Committee.

 

Special Delegates Congress

 

• A Special delegates Congress may be summoned by the Central Executive Committee on its own motion or onthe written request of two-thirds of the total number of functioning groups or members within the Party, which Congress shall have all the powers of a Biennial Congress.

 

 

Composition of General Council

 

1. The General Council shall comprise:
   • All members of the Central Executive Committee;
   • The representatives of the Regional and Sub-Divisional Committee;
   • All Regional Chairmen and Vice Chairmen;
   • All eligible persons who were candidates of the Party’s list at the last General Elections;
   • Three (3) representatives of the Y.S.M.
   • Three (3) representatives of the N.C.W.
   • All Chairman, Vic Chairman of Local Democratic Organs, Mayors an Deputy Mayors who were elected to Office on the Party’s list of candidates;
   • Party members of the NCLDO;

 

1. The Central Executive shall publish the list of the membership of each General Council at the beginning and place of each meeting of the General Council.

 

GENERAL COUNCIL THE GOVERNING BODY BETWEEN CONGRESS

 

• The General Council shall be the governing Body of the Party between Biennial Delegates Congress.
• It shall meet at least once every quarter of each year, at such time and place as the Central Executive Committee shall decide.
• At least fourteen (14) days notice shall be given of such meetings of the General Council, unless the Central Executive committee sanctions a Shorter notice.
• A quorum shall be fifty per cent (50%) of the membership of General Council.

APPONTMENT OF AUDITOR

 

• The General Council shall appoint an Auditor at the first meeting after the Biennial Delegates Congress.

 

 

LOSS OF MEMBERSHIP FOR ABSENCE

 

• Any member who shall be absent for three (3) consecutive meetings without excuse acceptable to the General Council shall, without prejudice to any disciplinary action to which he may be liable under these rules,automatically lose his seat on the General Council.
  The General Council shall inform him and stick his name off the list.
  This shall not apply to members under Rule 16 (1) (c) and (g).

 

 

Functions and Duties of the General Council

 

• The General Council shall:
• receive reports from the Party Leader, the General Secretary and other officials, on the state of the Party, the implementation of policy and programmes and on national, regional and international issues of importance and relevance;
• receive an annual audited report of the Party’s accounts;
• debate and comment on such reports and issues and give appropriate advice for formulating Party positions and policies with respect to them;
• review the progress of Party programmes and activities;
• discuss all issues affecting the well-being of the Party and give directions with respect to them.

 

COMPOSITION OF CENTRAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

1. The General Executive Committee shall comprise:
   • The Party Leader
   • The Chairman and the Vice Chairman;
   • Fifteen (15) members elected by Congress in terms of Rule 15 (4);
   • The elected Regional representatives;
   • The Chairman of the YSM and of the NCW, except that if a Chairman is elected in his/her own right by Congress, then the executive of the body concerned, shall elect its nominee;
   • No more than ten (10) communicate-opted members, five (5) of whom may be communicate-opted exclusively by the Leader and the other five (5) by the Leader and other elected members in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (2) and (3) of this rule.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, The General Secretary, The Chairman, the Vice Chairman and the Treasurer shall be members of the Central Executive Committee.

 

• The Central Executive Committee shall meet at least once every month.
• A quorum shall be ten (10) of its members, at least five (5) of whom must be elected members.
• Any member who shall be absent from three (3) consecutive meetings without an excuse acceptable to the Central Executive Committee shall, without prejudice to any disciplinary action to which he may be liable under these rules, automatically lose his seat.

 

1. The Central Executive Committee shall have the power to fill any vacancy arising in its own membership, except those of Party Officers, Regional Representatives and those of GYSM and NCW.
   Such vacancies shall be filed, in the first instance, from the list of candidates who contested the elections to the Central Executive Committee at the last Congress.

 

FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES OF CENTRAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

 

• The Central Executive Committee shall:
• Draw up the Party’s General Programme, in conformity with the overall policy formulated by Congress.
• Prepare agenda for General Council meetings, report on the activities of the Party at each meeting of the General Council and propose a Programme for the ensuring period.
• Implement the decision and policy of the General Council;
• Exercise all the right and fulfill all the duties and obligations of the General Council between meetings of the Council ad take all required action in keeping with the general policy of the Party.
• Receive and take appropriate action on reports from the Regional and other committees and from Advisers;
• Give guidance and directions on general Party policy and on specific issues from time-to-time;
• Have the power to summon a meeting of the General Council whenever it deems such a meeting to be
  necessary;
• Nominate Sub-Committee to carry out such duties and assignments as it may consider necessary from time to time;
• Interpret all matters on which this Constitution (or any rules, regulations or by – laws made pursuant to this Constitution, inclusive to the GYSM and NCW Constitution are ambiguous and rule upon any matter not fully or at all provided for by these Rules.

It shall be the duty of the Leader and general Secretary to keep the Central Executive Committee and General Council regularly informed of all developments within the Party.

 

1. The leader shall be responsible for the general political direction of the Party between Congresses and shall be the chief spokesman of the Party’s policies.
2. The Leader shall exercise the rights and fulfil all the duties and obligations of the Central Executive Committee between meetings of the Committee and may take any action in keeping with the general policy of the Party.
3. If General Council or the Central Executive Committee has not been constituted or for any reason cannot function, the Leader my exercise all or any of its powers or may authorise such members as he may deem fit, to exercise its powers for the time being.

 

Vacancy in office of Leader

1. • If the office of Leader becomes vat due to death, incapacity, resignation or other circumstance, the Chairman shall assume the functions of the Leader for the time being.
   • In the case of death or resignation, General Council shall meet within sixty (60) days to elect an interim leader who shall function until Congress elects a Leader.
   • In case of incapacity, the question as to whether the Party Leader can resume office shall be determined by the Central Executive Committee. If the Leader cannot resume, the General Council shall elect an interim
     Leader, as provided for in (b);

 

If the office of the Leader becomes vacant and congress is scheduled to be held within sixty (60) days, the Congress shall elect a new Leader.

 

1. The Chairman shall preside over and be responsible for the conduct of the meetings of Congress, General Council and Central Executive Committee and may assign other duties by the Central Executive Committee.
2. The Chairman shall lo represent the Leader on such occasions and at such functions as the Leader may direct.

 

1. The Party’s candidates for election to the National Assembly shall be Chosen in accordance with such rules as shall be prescribed from time to time by the Central Executive Committee, provided that the rules shall ensure that a majority of persons on any list of candidates are Party members of at least one (1) year’s standing.
2. The Party’s candidates for election to the Local Democratic and/ or other Regional elective offices may be chose in accordance with rules as prescribed by the Central Executive Committee, provided that the Sub-divisional or Regional arty Committee, shall provide a list, in keeping with the Central Executive Committee shall compile a list consultation with the local and regional organs.

 

1. The General Council may appoint a body cooperate to be trustee and alternatively or additionally two fit and property of the Party.
2. The Corporate trustee and the non – corporate trustee shall hold in trust for the Party such parts of the property of the Party movable and immovable, as the Central Executive Committee shall from time to time determine and shall deal with the trust property respectively held by them as directed by the Central Executive Committee.
3. The Central Executive Committee may from time to time direct that any property held by the corporate trustee be transferred to the non – corporate trustee and vice – versa.
4. The General Council may at any time remove any corporate or non – corporate trustee and may fill any vacancy in the office any trustee, whether corporate, however arising.
5. The Corporate trustee and the non – corporate trustees may sue and be sued in the Courts of Law in relation to the Party Property in them vested.

 

1. The Central Executive Committee may from time to time make such regulations or by-laws as it think fit, subject to the ratification of the General Council.
2. Where a time is fixed by these rules for holding any meeting or doing any act and no provision is made for varying such time, it shall be competent for the Central Executive Committee to vary that time, as it deems fit.
3. The Central Executive Committee may, after an investigation, remove from office –
   • any group officer or Committee reported by the level one committee as being unsatisfactory;
   • any level one or Sub-Divisional officer or committee reported by a Committee having immediate supervisory jurisdiction as being unsatisfactory;
   • any Regional Officer or Committee reported by the General Secretary as being unsatisfactory; provided that by-elections may be held under Rule 13 to fill the vacancy.
4. If for any reason it is impracticable or impossible for the General Council or the Central Executive Committee to summon a Biennial Delegates Congress as provided for in Rule 15, then the Members of the Central Executive Committee and the General Council shall be entitled to carry on the business of the Party, until such time as the Biennial Delegates Congress or Special Congress can be summoned.

 

Party Disciplinary Committee

1. • The Central Executive Committee shall appoint a Disciplinary Committee comprising five (5) members, and shall name its Chairman and Vice Chairman.
   • Three (3) members of the Committee shall form a quorum.
   • The Disciplinary Committee shall establish its own working rules.
   • In addition to reporting on specific incidents of indiscipline, the Committee may also make recommendations which in its view will enhance discipline generally in the Party.

Functions of Disciplinary Committee

 

1. The functions of the Disciplinary Committee shall be:
   • To keep under constant review the question of Party discipline and from time to time submit such advice to the General Secretary, as the Committee may consider necessary and appropriate;
   • To investigate and report on any matter relating to Party discipline (including dispute within the Party) referred to it by Congress, the Central Executive Committee, the General Council, the Leader, or the General Secretary;
   • To adjudicate on disciplinary matters in accordance with the provisions of this rule.

 

Misconduct

 

1. Any member may be discipline for conduct incompatible with Party membership. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, a member may be disciplined for –
   • Falsifying official Party reports to any official;
   • Corrupt practices;
   • Gross negligence in the discharge of responsibilities;
   • Anti-Party activities or conduct;
   • Any criminal or other behavior calculated to bring the Party into disrepute.

Sanctions for misconduct

1. Disciplinary sanctions may include:
   • Suspension or expulsion from the Party;
   • Suspension or removal from office;
   • Exclusion from holding Party office for a specified period;
   • Reprimand or warning
   • Such other penalty as the proper disciplinary authority may consider appropriate.

Disciplinary Authorities

1. The proper disciplinary authority shall be:

 

• In respect of a complaint against any member, group of members committee, arm of the Party or other Party entity – the Disciplinary Communicate;
• In respect of a complaint against any member – the Group Committee:
• In respect of a complaint against any a Sub-Divisional Committee member or a Sub-Divisional Committee having immediate supervisory jurisdiction
1. It shall be incumbent upon the various disciplinary authorities to act expeditiously in determining matters brought before them.
2. The powers conferred on the several disciplinary authorities shall not exclude the right of Congress, the general Council or the Central Executive Committee to exercise disciplinary authority or to appoint any special person or Committee to investigate ad adjudicate upon any disciplinary matter.
3. When a special person or Committee is appointed or when the Disciplinary Committee intervenes in the matter, the jurisdiction of the disciplinary authority which would normally adjudicate upon the matter, is ousted.

Disciplinary Authority of notify General Secretary about suspension or expulsion of member

1. The Chairman of every Group, Sub-divisional or Regional disciplinary
   authority shall –
   • promptly notify the Chairman of the Committee having immediate supervisory jurisdiction and the General Secretary, of any decision taken to suspend any member for more than three (3) months or to expel any member
   • submit to the said Chairman a monthly return giving details of disciplinary matters dealt with during the month. These returns should reach them not later than the fifteenth day of the month following that in respect of which it is made.

The Chairman of every other disciplinary authority shall submit to the General Secretary, as promptly as possible, a report of the result of every disciplinary matter premises dispute inquired into and adjudicated upon by the Committee

1. All findings made or penalties awarded in disciplinary proceeding shall be promptly notified in writing to the
   member concerned.
2. • A person aggrieved by a decision of a disciplinary authority may, within twenty (21) days or such decision being notified to him, appeal in writing to the next higher disciplinary authority, whose decision shall be final;
     A person who is expelled from the Party, or suspended for more than a year, may take his appeal through the successive authorities to the General Council;The body to which an appeal lies may, for good cause, on the application of the aggrieved person, extend the time limited herein for lodging an appeal.
   • • An appeal from a Regional Committee or from a special appointed person or Committee lies to the Central Executive Committee.
     • An appeal from the Disciplinary Committee or from a specially appointed person or Committee lies to the Central Executive Committee.
     • An appeal from the Central Executive Committee lies to the General Council.
3. The Biennial Congress, the General Council, the Central Executive Committee, of its own motion and whether or not the member involved has appeal or has a right of appeal to it, and whether or not the time limit herein for appealing has expired, may review any decision, made against any member by a disciplinary authority and may confirm, annual or vary such decision, or may order a new hearing of the matter by the same isciplinary
   authority which originally heard it or may give directions for dealing with the matter as it sees fit.

 

Form of Notice of Appeal

1. • An appeal shall be in writing
   • The notice of appeal shall be addressed to:
     • the Chairman of the Committee or other authority to which the appeal lies;
     • the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee, in the case of an appeal to that Committee
     • the General Secretary, in the case of an appeal to the Central Executive Committee or the General
       Council

 

Appeals to be dealt with Promptly

 

1. An appeal shall be heard and disposed of within two (2) months of its receipt.

 

Duty of Disciplinary Authority to Ascertain the Truth

1. The purpose of any disciplinary hearing shall be to ascertain the truth of the matter. The disciplinary authority shall not therefore be bound by technicalities, utmost fairness to the person against whom a complaint has been made.

 

Disciplinary Procedures

1. Disciplinary procedures shall comply with the following requirements.
   • The member against whom the complaint has been made must be given in writing a short statement setting out clearly, with reasonable particulars against him.
   • The member must be given a reasonable opportunity to defend himself and to call witnesses and produce documents relevant to his defence.
   • The member shall have the right to assisted at the inquire by the Party member of his choice.

.

• The member must be informed of his right of appeal if any adverse decision is made against him.

 

Powers of Appellate Authorities

 

1. Every disciplinary authority exercising appellate jurisdiction shall have power to confirm, annual or vary and decision appealed against or may order new hearing and may give all such directions for dealing with the matter, as is deems fit.
2. All disciplinary authority may discharge the disciplinary functions conferred on them by the rule through subcommittees of their members.

 

Re‐admission of expelled member

1. When a member has been expelled, the Central Executive Committee may re-admit him to membership:
   • if he applies in writing not earlier that two years after the date of his expulsion;
   • and on such terms and conditions as the Committee may decide.

Guyana Youth and Student Movement (GYSM)

1. • For the avoidance of all doubts, it is hereby declared that every member of the GYSM is a member of the Party.
   • The Constitution of the GYSM shall, as far as practicable, reflect the underlying philosophy and spirit of the Party Constitution and shall be approved by the General Council
   • The GYSM shall, as far as practicable, be organized at national and sub-divisional levels in the same way as the Party.

 

National Congress of Women (NCW)

1. • All women members of the Party may become members of the Women National Congress, (hereinafter referred to as “the NCW”).
   • The Constitution of the NCW shall, as far as practicable, reflect the underlying philosophy and spirit of the Party Constitution and shall be approved by the General Council.

 

Sports and Other Organisations

1. • The Party may sponsor sports, cultural and other Organisations.
   • Every such organisation must have aims and objectives which are consistent with those of the Party.

 

1. These Rules may be amended or rescinded by two-thirds (2\3) majority of delegates present at any Biennial or Special Delegates Congress.
2. Notice of any motion to amend these Rules must be given to the General Secretary at least eight (8) weeks before the date of Congress, unless the necessity for such notice is waived or the time abridged by the Central Executive Committee or by the General Council.

Under this Constitution:

1. Unless the contrary intention appeal, word denoting the masculine gender include the feminine gender.
2. Words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular.
3. • The term “Sub-division” means the geographical sub-divisions as prescribed by the Central Executive Committee for the purpose of the local democratic system.
   • The term “Sub-division” shall be correspondingly interpreted.
4. Where a member has any duty, obligation, privilege or power imposed or conferred on him by virtue of holding a particular office, such duty, obligation, privilege or power shall devolve upon and member for the time being property acting in or discharging the functions of that office.
5. A power to appoint implies a power to suspend, dismiss or revoke.
6. • Where A Party entity is required to send any information, documents, money or other thing to a central Party organ, such information document, money or other thing shall be sent through the proper channel of communication, unless the General Secretary, for reasons of convenience directs otherwise.
   • Where a Party entity is required to send any information, document, money or other thing to Sub-Divisional or Regional Committee, it shall be sufficient to send such information, etc, to the Secretary of the Committee, unless otherwise specifically provided.
   • Where, by these Rules or otherwise a Party entity is required to send any information, document, money or other thing to or through another Party entity or to seek any approval from another Party entity, and such other entity, for the time being does not exist or is not functioning, then the information etc, may be sent to or through, or the approval sought from, the next higher existing or functioning Party entity.
7. • The term ‘Party entity’ includes a member; a Group and Sub-division or Committee; arm of the Party; and committee established for any Party purpose; and any organisation subject to Party discipline.
   • the “proper channel of communication” means –

 

• the channel prescribed by this Constitution or in the absence of such prescription.
• the channel prescribed by the General Secretary.