All of Guyana must adjust to a vigilant elections mode

Dear Editor,

The Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, has written to Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), appointing Monday, June 12, 2023, as the date for Local Government Elections.

This significant undertaking follows a notification from the Chairperson of the institution’s readiness to host the Local Government Elections by May 22, this year. It will be a major step and point of measure for GECOM since the organisation’s image had, perhaps, denigrated to its lowest ebb following the epoch of approximately 28 years of oppressive PNC manipulation, which was significantly reduced when they lost power in 1992.

Associated in this respect is the flagrant involvement of GECOM staff in the abhorrent and scandalous attempts to falsify the true results of the March 2020 General and Regional Elections. These have been drivers for sweeping remedial changes, some of which have been undertaken, but which still leave key stakeholders and observers poised to maintain purposeful diligence and almost unrestrictive caution.

After much uncertainty linked to frequent delays and the shifting of commitments to complete these overdue elections resulting largely, from opposition tactics, the situation realizes a sense of relief. For some Guyanese citizens, there is some level of apprehension, given an expectation that the PNC may come up with some other suppressive strategy or problem. Consequently, the entire country must adjust and get into the elections mood, and be objective to the realities of what is required, while being aware of the deception opposition forces are attempting to camouflage.

There is no doubt that the PPP/C government has moved with appropriate speed to significantly bolster the development benefits to all Guyanese through meaningful and accelerated initiatives, and strengthen our democracy at the national level. The fact is that local governance and the local government systems are essential parts of Guyana’s governance. Our local democracy must be strengthened to ensure that at the community and village levels, the necessary cycles of the democratic movement are in synchrony and parallels these advancements.

GECOM moved in the right direction and has since undertaken several necessary and complementary activities. The ongoing continuous registration along with the Claims and Objections process will give rise to a proper Register of Voters. The Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) is fully accessible to all the stakeholders in the country and timely public notices and information guidelines were provided to advance public awareness of the adjusted timelines for the facilitation of amendments to the register as required.

Hence, anyone who will be 18 years or over by May 22, 2023, and is a Guyanese citizen by birth, descent, or naturalisation or is a citizen from a Commonwealth country living in Guyana for one year or more, is eligible for inclusion in the registers, providing he/ she is living in a Local Authority Area. Every citizen now has an opportunity to make sure that their name is on the PLE where they are living, so that they can be part of local democracy.

GECOM must be commended for putting Assistant Electoral Registers (AERs) in each LAA. This proactive mechanism will allow every citizen to make the relevant changes that they may need to make to facilitate their full participation in the process. Further, This Claims and Objections process will allow every citizen to peruse the PLE and make their observations to the AER so that the necessary adjustments can be made, so that GECOM can produce the best possible Register of Voters.

I wish to applaud and congratulate the efforts of the Chief Elections Officer Mr Vishnu Persaud, who has certainly demonstrated that he is knowledgeable of the operational work of the elections commission. Hence, the commission must put all systems in place to hold Local Government Elections following the approved work plan.

Our people are deserving of increased benefits from the PPP/C government’s tremendous transformation and development that is taking place in Guyana. Local democracy must be strengthened through the LGEs to facilitate a smoother transition of gains at the local authority levels.

Many persons are looking out for the known ‘naysays’ who will be making their usual objections to frustrate and delay the holding of LGEs. The Guyanese people should no longer condone these naysayers and join to reject their burdensome attempts to slow the path of progress.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar