As Guyanese, we stand ready and able to defend our democracy

Dear Editor,
There is a concerted effort by the Opposition to derail the 2025 elections, and one of the strategies advocated is the changing of the voting system from paper balloting to one that would see the imposition of an electronic system.
They, at this late hour, want us to make a definitive change in the electoral system, which in their twisted analogy might hopefully bring about a change in the voting pattern, as well as a change of the results, come next election.
Whatever the diabolical plan is in their arsenal, I must say it would not come to fruition.
Now, if we are to accept their proposal, it would mean a long and protracted period of voter education for both GECOM officials and the voting public. What about our Amerindian peoples scattered in the hinterland? Would they be able to be properly educated into the new system? I think not; therefore, such a major change in the voting system requires much preparation and proper establishment that is fair to all the people of this great country; no more, no less.
Therefore, because of the above shortcomings, we categorically reject any attempt to change the present system. Paper balloting has been our guarantee for many years; all the civilized countries in Caricom use it, so why should Guyana be an exception? Isn’t this another ploy used to frustrate the clean process of voting? Isn’t this a repeat of the “Vote only by ID Card” system that was foisted on us by the PNC in the 90s, which later brought about a partial confusion in the 1997 Election?
We are not going to be pushed into a corner again by the PNC and their shenanigans in 2025. Guyana would not be derailed by a bunch of sore losers; we will have a free, fair, and transparent system like all the other Caricom states. We are in a sisterhood of nations where there exists a system of voting that is free, fair, and free from fear, and we are not letting go of that surety.
What the PNC and its acolytes are not telling us is that they are fighting for a process that they can control. They are interested in a system that they can manipulate to their own advantage; one in which they can massage the figures to produce an outcome to their advantage. We don’t have to go too far for evidence of this; just taking a look at the 2020 General Election and the blatant acts of Lowenfield and others to steal that election and even a blind person would a clear idea as to the sinister plot the Opposition had hatched.
The actions of Lowenfield and crew show fully well what that party wants to achieve here. So, we can safely conclude that if they cannot get their way, then, as one of their spokespersons said, “We would have difficulties.”
What does he mean by difficulties? Then could I ask the question: is he talking about the difficulties as Hoyte articulated in “Slow fire moh fire”? Is this the cause for those businessmen lavishing millions in “gifts” to a police commissioner for protection?
Be it know we are in receipt of information that businesses have been threatened that there would be massive protests — that is, the burning of properties — should the PPP/C win the next election. Members of the diaspora team have openly voiced that message, so some businesses are already making preparation in a “property protection bribe” move to safeguard their businesses from destruction by the thugs.
History is replete with such intimidatory tactics having been used by that section of the political divide when a mayor was captured on video soliciting money from the business community to afford them some protection from the mob.
As I close, I sound the alarm: be it known that we are in no way intimidated by the sabre-rattling of our detractors, and their diabolical attempts to derail our democracy will not succeed.

Respectfully,
Neil Adams