Dear Editor,
It is with grave concern that I note what’s happening with the Guyana Press Association and the debacle surrounding the upcoming elections. Editor, permit me the space to express my surprise and worry at what I surmised to be the pinnacle of journalism and professionalism. As the vanguard of press freedom, the Association, by its own accord, is bound by principles of integrity, honesty and fairness.
Suffice it to say that a statement released by a key member of the Association is indicative of remnants of a certain five-month siege on democracy. The member indicated the list of persons who are eligible to vote would not be released until the day of the elections, and not a day before. This secrecy is necessary to protect the identity of its members, by their own request, the statement said.
Further, the Returning Officer, Attorney-at-Law Ronald Burch-Smith, will thus unmask the voters’ list on the day of the elections.
Further, the Association stated, the key members unanimously arrived at this decision after consultations among themselves.
I will not draw upon conjecture to illustrate the implications of this; however, I will muse on the following, and encourage people to ponder as well: What are the rules governing the elections of the Press Association?
Additionally, an attorney-at-law who is bound by the moral fabric of his profession might need to reconsider the stance of protecting a list that is steeped in secrecy and ambiguity and is known only to a few.
Lastly, I ponder whether the hubris and controversy surrounding the Association is indicating to me that perhaps it is time for some semblance of, dare I say, change.
Yours sincerely,
Alvin Hamilton
