First instance body dealing with electoral disputes

Constitution Of TheCo-Operative Republic Of Guyana Act (1980-02-20) (As of 1998)

163.(1) Subject to theprovisions of this article, the High Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction todetermine any question ––

(a) regarding the qualification of anyperson to be elected as a member of the National Assembly;

(b) whether ––

(i) either generally or in anyparticular place, an election has been lawfully conducted or the result thereofhas been, or may have been, affected by any unlawful act or omission;

(ii)the seats in the Assembly have been lawfully allocated;

(iii)a seat in the Assembly has become vacant; or

(iv)any member of the Assembly is required under the provisions of article 156 (2)to cease to exercise any of his functions as a member thereof;

(c)regarding the filling of a vacant seat in the Assembly; or

...

GeorgetownUniversity, Center for Latin American Studies

http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Constitutions/Guyana/guyana96.htmlas retrieved on 2013-12-13.

REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE ACT (1964-09-25)(Lastlyamended 2006)

PART VllNon-Resident Electors' ballot

61. The Chief Election Officer shall openeach packet made up in pursuance of section 57(1)(a) and the addressedenvelopes contained therein or delivered to him by virtue of section 58(4)(d);

 ...

 every decision taken by the Chief Election Officer underthe foregoing provisions of this section shall be final unless and until it isreversed by the High Court on an election petition presented under the NationalAssembly (Validity of Elections) Act.

Guyana Elections Commission,

http://www.gecom.org.gy/electoral_law.html as retrieved on 2013-12-13.

National Assembly (Validity of Elections) Act,  Chapter 1:04 (1964-12-05)

(as of 1998)

2.Interpretation.

 (1) In this Act—

“Court” means the High Court;

3.Method of questioningvalidity of election.

(1) Any question referred to in article163(1)(a), (b) and (c) of the Constitution may, in respect of an election referred toin article 60(2) of the Constitution and with a view to securingappropriate remedial order, be referred to the Court and shall thereupon bedetermined by it, in accordance with this Act.

(2) Every such referenceshall be by a petition (hereinafter referred to as an election petition)presented to the Courtin accordance with this Act.

Guyana ElectionsCommission,