Confirms That he Only Acted as Chief Justice of Grenada for a Short Period
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — Justice James Patterson has responded to criticisms over his appointment as chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).
Patterson on Thursday brushed aside reproaches that have sought to downplay his ability to perform effectively in the post. He told reporters that he was not bothered by the criticisms.
In an effort to clarify his own position, Patterson said he believes the president received proper advice in his decision to appoint him as Chairman of the Elections Commission.
However, he declined to comment further on the constitutionality of his appointment but used the opportunity to distance himself from being a member of any political party.
Patterson has been accused of being a member of the People’s National Congress (PNC), which forms part of the governing coalition but he believes this is because he was a pallbearer for former President Desmond Hoyte.
Turning his attention to concerns over his appointment as Chief Justice of Grenada, clarified that he was never substantive Chief Justice of Grenada but had acted in the position for a short period of time, a fact he accidentally excluded from the Curriculum Vitae (CV) he had submitted to President David Granger.
But the PPP has been claiming that Patterson never served as the Chief Justice in Grenada and they have accused him of lying on his curriculum vitae.
“I have not done a resumé in 40 years and I omitted (the word) ‘acting’. If that’s the source of their bother that’s no concern of mine,” he added.
The new GECOM chair said he is settling in the post and is working with “a good team”. – CMC
