This is a list of the heads of state of Guyana, from the independence of Guyana in 1966 to the present day. From Guyana (1966–1970), 1966 to 1970 the head of state under the Constitution of Guyana, Constitution of 1966 was the queen of Guyana, Elizabeth II, who was also the Monarchy of the United Kingdom, queen of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms. The monarch was represented in Guyana by a governor-general. Guyana became a Republics in the Commonwealth of Nations, republic within the Commonwealth under the Constitution of 1970 and the monarch and governor-general were replaced by a ceremonial President of Guyana, president, by that time.

Monarch (1966–1970)

The succession to the throne was the same as the succession to the British throne.

Governor-general

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 Chief Justice of Guyana#Chancellor, Chancellor (the head of the judicial branch, serving directly above the Chief Justice of Guyana) would have served as the Administrator of the Government, officer administering the government. Following is a list of people who have served as Governor-General of Guyana. Symbols : Died in office.

President of Guyana

Under the Constitution of Guyana, 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 (Guyana), National Assembly for a six-year term. In the event of a vacancy the Chief Justice of Guyana#Chancellor, Chancellor (the head of the judicial branch, serving directly above the Chief Justice of Guyana) served as acting (law), 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 of Guyana, prime minister becomes president. ;Status

Timeline

Standards

File:Flag of the Governor-General of Guyana (1966–1970).svg, Flag of the Governor-General (1966–1970) File:Presidential Standard of Guyana 1970-1980.svg, Presidential Standard of Guyana (1970–1980; under President Arthur Chung) File:Presidential Standard of Guyana (1980-1985) under President LFS Burnham.svg, Presidential Standard of Guyana (1980–1985; under President Forbes Burnham) File:Presidential Standard of Guyana (1985-1992) under President H. Desmond Hoyte.svg, Presidential Standard of Guyana (1985–1992; under President Desmond Hoyte) File:Presidential Standard of Guyana (1992-1997) under President Cheddi B. Jagan.svg, Presidential Standard of Guyana (1992–1997; under President Cheddi Jagan) File:Presidential Standard of Guyana (1997-1999) under President Janet Jagan.svg, Presidential Standard of Guyana (1997–1999; under President Janet Jagan) File:Presidential Standard of Guyana (President David Granger).svg, Presidential Standard of Guyana (2015–2020; under President David A. Granger) File:Flag of Guyana (fringed).svg, Presidential Standard of Guyana (1999–2015 and 2020–present)

Notes

External links

World Statesmen – Guyana

{{South America topic, state=uncollapsed, prefix=List of presidents of, countries_only=yes Government of Guyana Lists of political office-holders in Guyana, Heads Presidents of Guyana, * Lists of heads of state, Guyana