Dear Editor,
A definitive position on the advancement of our democracy at the local level has been concretized by Hon Nigel Dharamlall, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development. The minister responded to a letter from Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice Claudette Singh, who wrote informing of GECOM’s readiness to hold the Elections between March 13 and April 24, 2023.
The pronouncement and communication between the Chairman of GECOM and the Minister is in keeping with the Local Authorities (Elections) Act, Chapter 28:03 which empowers the Minister of Local Government to appoint a date for the holding of LGEs. Certainly, the indicated selection of March 13, 2023, is the earliest option of the date range provided by GECOM. This choice signals the strongest commitment of the Government, to ensure delivery of the intent of our nation’s constitutional position in action and spirit. Testimony to the driving commitment is the budget-by-budget provision of financial support to approve GECOM needs toward this end.
More recently, Government has committed $2.9B to GECOM for preparatory works and to ensure the successful planning and execution of LGE. Minister Dharamlall’s response mirrors the message of His Excellency President Dr. Irfaan Ali, who is consistent in his public clarification that the PPPC is committed, focused and obligated to deliver on this critical and necessary requirement, not only as a part of the Party’s core manifesto agenda, but also in keeping with the motto of having our citizens intimately involved in key decisions concerning the advancement of the communities where they reside.
Indeed, President Ali has been at the forefront of community empowerment, and it is clear that his undertakings are not clouded by empty promises.
On the contrary, the nation is witnessing the indication of excuse-driven withdrawal of support syndrome by Opposition elements. Recently, the Alliance For Change (AFC) said it would be boycotting the March 2023 Local Government Elections (LGE) over concerns about a padded voters list, while the People’s National Congress Reform-led A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) stayed clear of saying what it would do. It is widely known that anyone reacting to Cathy Hughes’ submission of the Ramjattan-led cohoots could practically make a no-case submission. The party has practically become a ‘dead-wood small group’ that cannot prevent its own erosion.
Likewise, it is not that there is much potency from the PNC at the local level, except for some central areas that they may wish to hold on to. Although the PNCR have not confirmed, one would believe that there are greater considerations in knowing where their support base stands at this key juncture. Their representatives participated in the update process for the List, and have not done much within the applicable legislation to truly discredit its verification standings. Further, without this mid-term guideline, the Norton administration is genuinely aware that they would be shooting themselves in the foot as it relates to effective planning.
The preparation and execution of a proper work plan is essential for avoiding pitfalls in the roll out of transparent processes is very important for the holding of successful and credible LGEs, where the results stand for verification on a strong platform of integrity. The Chief Executive Officer Vishnu Persaud and his team did an excellent job in preparation of a work plan with detailed day to day preparation and holding of the Elections. It is anticipated that with the Minister’s announcement of the Elections date, the interesting ‘Parties’ will work along and align activities with GECOM Nomination Day for their representatives.
Notably, GECOM is in the process training and preparing Election Day staff. It follows that key employment functions will have to be finalized, particularly as it concerns Presiding Officers, Assistant Presiding Officers, Poll clerks, Ballot Clerks along with information Officers at every polling booth.
Notwithstanding, the Commission will have to be extremely careful with the ‘Management Staff’ at GECOM. Although the 2020 National and Regional Elections went smoothly during Election Day, the cause for concerns emerged from the inefficacies of some members of the Secretariat and particularly, some member of the ‘Management Staff’ that really made genuine effort to derail and thief the Elections. Hence, it is imperative that the Leadership at GECOM be absolutely careful with the employment of men and women with integrity who will be honest and willing to hold free and fair elections.
The build-up to the 2020 National and Regional Elections was filled with PNC Commissioners making all sorts of excuses in their effort not to go to the polls. They questioned the Voters List, they created issues in respect to ID Cards, they catapulted a deadwood as Chairman of the Commission, and started an exercise of House-to-House Registration with the intent of delaying time in power, but this was subsequently aborted. It is recognized that they also installed Secretariat staff that were not inclined to uphold a free and fair elections process.
The PNC never genuinely wants to face the polls under a transparent setting. All the efforts to delay the LGE’s must be prevented and we must have LGEs as scheduled by GECOM. Guyana is on the rise, and we must have democracy at the grassroots level, so let us have the LGEs on schedule.
Sincerely,
Neil Kumar
