Dear Editor,
The statement, “Politics is a dirty game,” is oftentimes used when an analysis is made of the actions of some politicians, but is this a true analysis of the institution of politics? The word politics is not just a passing term used to our convenience, it is an institution that is as old as the hills; it is a way of life, a system whereby we govern ourselves. Churches use it, clubs use it, even international organizations are a part of that institutional framework; we are consumed by it.
However, a careful analysis of the institution would show that there is nothing inherently wrong with the system, things go significantly wrong when you take a scrutinizing look at some of the people that are in the system, that is, dirty men and women in politics. I am talking about those who blatantly lie, cheat and kill all done in the name of “Politics.” Could you picture that scenario? Well, it is all happening right here in a place call Guyana.
A case study of the politics in Guyana brings into focus what I have highlighted above. At the present moment the Opposition is demanding that we institute a new system of voting, that is, vote with the use of electronic machines. It is a totally new method and as such it will have great implications for the voters out there, therefore, something of this magnitude should not be rushed into, nor can it be foisted on the electorate at such late notice. People need time to adopt and adapt to changes, especially those that would affect the lives of an entire nation, especially when you view the actions of a sore loser opposition. These malcontents are simply waiting in the wings to stir up trouble.
They have done it before in the 1997 Elections and are hell bent to replicate such behaviour again in 2025. So, what is The Opposition clamouring for in this new found electronic voting? They are demanding we get into a voting method that is used in some parts of the USA, Florida to be exact. Now, let’s follow that system closely in what is called, the “bastion of democracy.” Votes for the presidency in that election saw a close win for Bush, immediately the opposition requested a recount in Florida where electronic voting was done.
The recount again showed Bush winning the state by a slim margin. The democrats not satisfied with the recount then went on a campaign of misinformation on issues such as, Bush’s Brother was the governor of Florida hence, his influencing the counting of the ballots in favour of his brother.
Next, they found fault with the voting machines, saying they were programmed to give a certain result, therefor, the decision was arrived at to have a recount of the votes the machine rejected. Thus began a recount of the “hanging chads,” a new term coined after that election. That illegal recount was finally stopped after The Supreme Court intervened to stop it.
Please note, the system of electronic voting was something done in Florida some fourteen years on into that election, where legal or valid votes were kept by the machines, non-valid votes were discarded or spat out by the machines. This was the established rule 14 years on, so why change a system that has served them well all those years? The answer is a dissatisfied opposition would not accept defeat, especially when the election was so close.
Contrast that situation in a Guyana setting where elections are never close, do you think an opposition like ours would accept a loss so close as The Americans, even if electronic voting was the mechanism used? Certainly not, instead, there would be fires set, buildings burnt and persons killed just like they did in 1997. In that election The PNC had a resounding loss, under a system of “Voting with ID Card Only.” Even when a court case declared that election null and void and fresh elections were held, the very same results were seen. When they realized they had lost they then turned again to find fault with a system they themselves had set up. We have learnt our lesson well that The PNC cannot be trusted to accept a system that promotes fairness and transparency, they have repeatedly resisted free and fair elections here, and there is no reason to believe that they would accept the results of an electronic voting either. There is no possible way they would accept what is about to happen in 2025, certainly not!
In the first place, they would say that those machines were programmed by the PPP/C to give them a fraudulent victory. Secondly, they would raise issue in court that their electors were deliberately disenfranchised by the new system instituted by the PPP/C, at this stage they would conveniently forget that they were the ones who were rightfully responsible for the institution of the system, and lay blame squarely at the feet of The PPP/C. This is the DNA of that party.
The PNC and its minions are trying desperately to complicate the system with their new found voting system, they are desperately trying to create a niche where controversy abounds, set up a system which they themselves would cry foul. So, as I close by making the distinct announcement that we are not going the route of electronic voting, it is an untried, a system that we know nothing of and full of tactical errors. We stand by paper balloting.
Respectfully,
Neil Adams
