President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has called on the Constitution Reform Commission to accelerate its work, stressing the need for the reform process to advance without unnecessary delays and reach communities across Guyana.
During a press conference on Friday, the President said he wants the commission to intensify its engagement with the public, pointing out that consultations could begin even as government institutions and other stakeholders continue preparing their written submissions.
The deadline for submitting feedback has been set for December 31, 2026. However, President Ali indicated that the commission should not wait until that date to begin engaging citizens, but should take its work directly to communities and gather views from the population.
President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and members of the Constitutional Reform Commission
The President said the exercise must go beyond a limited review of constitutional provisions, calling for a comprehensive assessment that considers areas of national life requiring modernisation in light of Guyana’s changing circumstances and developments around the world.
The constitutional reform exercise is being undertaken by a 21-member commission chaired by retired Chancellor of the Judiciary, Carl Singh. The commission was sworn in by President Ali in 2024, following the passage of the Constitution Reform Commission Act in November 2022.
A public notice issued on June 23, 2026, invited citizens, organisations and other stakeholders to submit written recommendations by the December 31 deadline. Once the submissions and consultations are completed, the commission is expected to prepare its recommendations for consideration by the Parliamentary Standing Committee for Constitutional Reform.
Although the legislation outlines specific areas for examination, it does not restrict the commission from considering other constitutional matters that may require attention.
The Act also provides for public consultations as part of the reform process before any constitutional amendments are undertaken. The commission has indicated that it intends to organise a series of consultations in the coming months.
In September, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, SC, who is also a member of the commission, confirmed that preparations were being made for broader public engagement. He also disclosed that the commission was examining whether written submissions should continue to be a compulsory requirement for participation.
Meanwhile, the Ethnic Relations Commission has also been contributing to the national exercise. It hosted a national consultation on October 13 and is expected to submit its recommendations to the Constitution Reform Commission before the December 31 deadline.
The reform process is intended to provide an opportunity for citizens and institutions to make recommendations on changes to the country’s supreme law, with the commission now being urged by the President to move more quickly into the public consultation phase.