LGE 2023: APNU a no-show at ERC Code of Conduct signing 

…ERC warns political parties to comply with law on campaign trail

A number of political parties, groups and individuals participating in the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE) 2023 were on hand to sign a code of conduct on Saturday. However, the absence of one major party – the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) – did not go unnoticed.
As is customary, the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) facilitated the signing of its code of conduct ahead of elections. The code of conduct binds contestants to promote ethnic harmony and avoid hate speech and actions that would disrupt the peace.

A number of political parties, groups and individuals participating in the upcoming June 12 polls signed on. However, a notable absence was the APNU.
ERC Chairman, Moeen-ul-Haq, lauded those who did show up while exhorting everyone to be mindful of how they campaign during the election season.
“While we welcome and remain encouraged by the related responses, however, sometimes the narrative of messaging creates reasons for concerns. At this important junction, we would like to reiterate that all endeavour for responsible approaches in an effort to ensure that the remaining period of the campaign is free from ethnic division, discrimination, hate speech, incitement and provocation.
“It is in that context that we urge, as a commission, that the efforts of all to participate in this process be reflected through adherence to the spirit and intent of the code of conduct. We can all agree the promotion of harmony takes a collective effort, including (from) all those who hold and those who aspire to hold public offices,” the Chairman further said.
Speaking afterwards, the ERC Chairman committed to keeping open the process for parties to sign on to the code of conduct. He also made it clear that the constitutional agency would be keeping a close watch on party rhetoric on the campaign trail, and would be fielding media monitors to ensure parties adhere to the law when it comes to racial hostility.

Full agreement
Meanwhile, People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) representative Zulfikar Mustapha was on hand to sign on behalf of his party. Making it clear that his party is in full agreement of the code of conduct, and expressing hope that all the signatories to the code of conduct will adhere to it, Mustapha was also critical of APNU’s absence.
“Well, first of all, this code of conduct, as a party, we always adhere to good conduct in executing our campaign, and we always try to promote harmony and good relations in the country. We abide always with the rules in campaigning. So this is good, and I hope that all parties would adhere to the code of conduct,” Mustapha said.
“It was very unfortunate that I am seeing parties who, in the past, would have caused problems with campaign – especially the Opposition – they are not here to sign. So, I was very, it’s very unfortunate, but let’s hope that good sense prevails. But as a party in Government and a party that has a long history in campaigning, we will continue to adhere to good relation, promote good harmony, promote peace, and campaign with the rules.”

Totally wrong
Former Alliance For Change (AFC) Member of Parliament Michael Carrington, who is now running to represent his village of Hauraruni, Yarrowkabra, made it clear he has no problem with signing the code of conduct. Asked about the absence of APNU from the signing, Carrington noted that the major party should have signed the code.
“Recently, I decided that our village needs proper representation, so I decided that I’m going to run for that area. We have a vibrant group. Our group is not just a political group. Our group is a developmental group that will be doing a lot of skills training, job creation and marketing,” the former MP said.
“I think they should have signed it. If they did not sign it or don’t want to sign it, I don’t know the reason why. But we signed it because we think we need a code of conduct. People need to behave in the right way. Racism is high in Guyana. We need to change that. We can’t allow that to multiply in the future…if they say they’re not signing it, I can’t do anything about it. But I think it’s totally wrong of them not to sign it,” he said.
Shaz Ally, who represents the Citizens Initiative and is campaigning in Constituency One, also expressed concern over the larger party’s non-committal to the code. Ally noted that no one wants a repeat of the 2020 General and Regional Elections.
“I didn’t see any representation from the APNU party here. The Chairman did mention that there were some people who refused to be there for the signing. It is a little (worrying). You wouldn’t want a repeat of the last General Elections,” Ally further pointed out.
After some delay, APNU had publicly thrown its hat in the ring to contest LGE long after the other main political party, the PPP/C, had made clear its intentions to contest. However, APNU is contesting the LGE in less than half of the 610 constituencies across the country.
GECOM has already announced that there will be no voting in 13 areas because there is no one to challenge the incumbent, including in Lethem, where APNU failed to submit a candidate list.
Efforts to reach Peoples National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) Leader Aubrey Norton to enquire whether his party would be signing the code of conduct were futile. (G3)