Constitution |
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Guyanaportal |
This is a list of the heads of state of Guyana, from the independence of Guyana in 1966 to the present day.
From 1966 to 1970 the head of state under the Constitution of 1966 was the queen of Guyana, Elizabeth II, who was also the queen of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms. The monarch was represented in Guyana by a governor-general. Guyana became a republic within the Commonwealth under the Constitution of 1970 and the monarch and governor-general were replaced by a ceremonial president, by that time.
The succession to the throne was the same as the succession to the British throne.
No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Reign | Royal House | Prime minister(s) | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Reign start | Reign end | Duration | |||||
1 | Queen Elizabeth II (1926–2022) | 26 May 1966 | 23 February 1970 | 3 years, 273 days | Windsor | Burnham |
The governor-general was the representative of the monarch in Guyana and exercised most of the powers of the monarch. The governor-general was appointed for an indefinite term, serving at the pleasure of the monarch. Since Guyana was granted independence by the Guyana Independence Act 1966, rather than being first established as a semi-autonomous dominion and later promoted to independence as defined by the Statute of Westminster 1931, the governor-general was to be always appointed solely on the advice of the Cabinet of Guyana without the involvement of the British government, with the sole exception of Richard Luyt, the former colonial governor, who served as governor-general temporarily until he was replaced by David Rose. In the event of a vacancy the Chancellor (the head of the judicial branch, serving directly above the Chief Justice of Guyana) would have served as the officer administering the government.
Following is a list of people who have served as Governor-General of Guyana.
Symbols
No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Term of office | Monarch (Reign) | ||
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Took office | Left office | Time in office | ||||
1 | Sir Richard Luyt (1915–1994) | 26 May 1966 | 16 December 1966 | 204 days | Elizabeth II (1966–1970) | |
2 | Sir David Rose (1923–1969) | 16 December 1966 | 10 November 1969 [†] | 2 years, 329 days | ||
– | Sir Edward Luckhoo (1912–1998) | 10 November 1969 | 23 February 1970 | 105 days |
Under the Constitution of 1970, the first constitution of the Republic of Guyana, the president replaced the monarch as ceremonial head of state. The president was elected by the National Assembly for a six-year term. In the event of a vacancy the Chancellor (the head of the judicial branch, serving directly above the Chief Justice of Guyana) served as acting president. In 1980, the powers of the president were increased, with the establishment of the executive presidency.
Currently, the president is both head of state and head of government and, pursuant to article 91 of the Constitution, is directly elected on the basis of the votes cast in the general election. On Nomination Day, each list of contesting parties designate a member of their list as that party's presidential candidate. The presidential candidate whose party's list of candidates receives the most votes is elected president. In the event of a vacancy, the prime minister becomes president.
No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Elected | Term of office | Political party | Prime minister(s) | ||
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Took office | Left office | Time in office | ||||||
Ceremonial President | ||||||||
1 | Arthur Chung (1918–2008) | 1970 | 17 March 1970 | 6 October 1980 | 10 years, 203 days | Independent | Burnham | |
1976 | ||||||||
Executive President | ||||||||
2 | Forbes Burnham (1923–1985) | 1980 | 6 October 1980 | 6 August 1985† | 4 years, 304 days | People's National Congress | Reid Hoyte | |
3 | Desmond Hoyte (1929–2002) | — | 6 August 1985 | 9 October 1992 | 7 years, 64 days | People's National Congress | Green | |
1985 | ||||||||
4 | Cheddi Jagan (1918–1997) | 1992 | 9 October 1992 | 6 March 1997† | 4 years, 148 days | People's Progressive Party/Civic | Hinds | |
5 | Sam Hinds (born 1943) | — | 6 March 1997 | 19 December 1997 | 288 days | People's Progressive Party/Civic | J. Jagan | |
6 | Janet Jagan (1920–2009) | 1997 | 19 December 1997 | 11 August 1999 (resigned.) | 1 year, 235 days | People's Progressive Party/Civic | Hinds Jagdeo | |
7 | Bharrat Jagdeo (born 1964) | — | 11 August 1999 | 3 December 2011 | 12 years, 114 days | People's Progressive Party/Civic | Hinds | |
2001 | ||||||||
2006 | ||||||||
8 | Donald Ramotar (born 1950) | 2011 | 3 December 2011 | 16 May 2015 | 3 years, 164 days | People's Progressive Party/Civic | ||
9 | David Granger (born 1945) | 2015 | 16 May 2015 | 2 August 2020 [lower-alpha 1] | 5 years, 78 days | People's National Congress Reform (APNU) | Nagamootoo | |
10 | Irfaan Ali (born 1980) | 2020 | 2 August 2020 | Incumbent | 3 years, 252 days | People's Progressive Party/Civic | Phillips |
The president of Guyana is the head of state and the head of government of Guyana, as well as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the Republic, according to the Constitution of Guyana. The president is also the chancellor of the Orders of Guyana. Concurrent with their constitutional role as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the president does not appoint a separate Minister of Defence. That portfolio is held by the president who fulfils all responsibilities designated to a minister of defence under the Defence Act.
The prime minister of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana is an elected member of the National Assembly of Guyana who is the principal assistant and advisor to the president as well as the leader of government business in the Assembly, but is not the head of government in Guyana. The prime minister assumes the office of president if the presidency becomes vacant.
The Constitution of Guyana is the highest governing document in the Republic of Guyana. It came into effect on October 6, 1980, replacing the constitution enacted in 1966 upon its independence from the United Kingdom. The current Constitution of Guyana contains 12 chapters that are further divided into 232 articles. It also contains a preamble and an oath. Since its 1980 enactment, it has gone through multiple amendments.