Guyanese must not allow Granger to be a dictator

Dear Editor,
It is evident that David Granger is using the court system and GECOM to ensure that he remains in power despite the consequences that will confront Guyanese.
In this modern era, strongmen or dictators like Granger have learned that it’s easier to stay in power by rigging elections than by not holding them at all. Right now, Granger does not realise that those who rig elections are outfoxing not only their own citizens but the international community as well.
But as Guyanese, unless we learn how to identify those strategies and address them, then the quality of future elections will continue to decline. Over time, this is likely to call into question the basic legitimacy of democracy, as people will grow frustrated with elections that fail to bring change. One of the main things that democracy has going for Guyana today is that despite its limitations, it remains the preferred political system of most people living in Guyana. But this support has limits.
If democracy continues to generate instability and tension without actually delivering accountability and inclusion, authoritarian alternatives will start to look increasingly attractive. That’s the reason why this March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections result is critical so as to ensure that the democratic process is not being maligned, while transparency, fairness and the rule of law prevails. Elections and other political processes are pivotal to the quality of a country’s governance and can either greatly advance or set back a country’s long-term democratic development, as well as the country, regional, and global foreign policy priorities.
The most fundamental principle defining credible elections is that they must reflect the free expression of the will of the people. To achieve this, elections should be transparent, inclusive, and accountable, and there must be equitable opportunities to compete in the elections. These broad principles are buttressed by several electoral process-related obligations, as well as a number of key rights and freedoms, each of which is derived from public international law. The electoral cycle approach depicts elections as a continuous, integrated process made up of building blocks that interact with and influence each other, rather than as a series of isolated events.
The exclusion of the media and the integral role of the Guyana Police Force to facilitate and muzzle the flawed process and Guyanese is a testimony that Granger has no intention in allowing democracy to prevail.
As such, we must commend the strong leadership of the PPP/C especially Dr Bharat Jagdeo, Dr Irfan Ali, Zulfikar Mustapha, Anil Nandlall etc, the various media entities and reporters, civil society, PSC and all other conscious Guyanese, to continue this battle both locally and internationally. Guyana must stand against dictator Granger and his cabal.

With regards,
Zamal Hussain