Regions across the country, on Monday, held their elections for Chairmanship and Vice Chairmanship of the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) – the highest regional decision-making body.
During the election process, some were re-elected to serve while others were replaced. Brentnol Ashley will be returning as the Regional Chair for Region One (Barima-Waini) with Annansha Peters as his Deputy. Peters replaces former Vice Chair Sarah Browne, who is now a parliamentary secretary.
Region 3
In Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), former Vice Chair Ishan Ayube was elected as Chair and has since replaced former Chair Julius Faerber – who served in the position for over 14 years. Omesh Stayanand was elected as Ayube’s Deputy.
The elections were held in the Boardroom of the RDC at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara (WCD), and attended by a number of Members of Parliament from the Region. Education Minister Priya Manickchand and MP Dr Tandika Smith are the Geographic Representatives for the Region in the National Assembly and they were present to witness the election process.
Region One Chair Brentnol Ashley and Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal among Councillors
Joining them were Junior Public Works Minister Deodat Sharma – a WCD resident – and parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Vikash Ramkissoon.
The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) won 18 of the 27-member RDC in the recently concluded General and Regional Elections on March 2. The party secured just over 47,000 votes.
Delivering remarks following the elections, Education Minister Manickchand extended her congratulations to all of the Councillors and urged them to work in the interest of every person in the Region. She told the RDC members that they each have a huge task ahead as they enter into the world of service for the people.
She urged the Councillors to uphold the oath they have taken and serve without fear or favour and affection or ill will.
“I ask you to remember that Region Three, you have a vast region with many challenges. You have the Essequibo Islands which come under your watch and that’s many and it’s hard to reach them and those are people who genuinely need your service because they can’t access services on their own in many instances.
“In these years, you will have a choice…are you going to use your talent and judgment to be obstructive to be obstructionist or to serve the people of this Region? You get to choose. History will record what you did. If you choose to serve as you took an oath saying without fear or favour to the best of your ability, the people of Region Three will feel it and generations to come will benefit from your good service,” she charged.
Manickchand pledged the Government’s support for the work of the RDC so that they can address the issues of the residents.
Meanwhile, the newly-elected Regional Chair told the Councillors that the RDC will operate within the guidelines and principles which governs their conduct. He pledged to work with every Councillor to realise the potential of their constituencies.
Region 4
In Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Captain and APNU/AFC candidate Daniel Seeram was elected to the office of Chairman while his colleague Samuel Sandy will serve as Deputy. Seeram, one of the fresh faces on the APNU/AFC list, replaces Genevieve Allen at Chair.
After taking up his post, Seeram was forced to break a tie between PPP/C’s nominee Desmond Morian and APNU’s Sandy. This was as a result of the AFC nominating and voting for one of its members, Neilson Mckenzie.
Voting along party lines, Seeram cast the deciding vote in favour of Sandy.
The election process was witnessed by Attorney General Anil Nandlall and Opposition MP Dr Karen Cummings.
Dr Cummings said that the regional democratic organ is a very important one, adding that a lot of work needs to be done in the aspect of nation-building. She urged the Councillors to serve in the interest of the people that elected them to serve.
With 35 seats on the RDC, the APNU/AFC won 20, 14 went to the PPP/C and one to Change Guyana.
Nandlall charged the Councillors to act in the best interest of the people of Region Four.
“The RDC is an important part of the democratic equation of our country. It is a fundamental component of our constitutional apparatus of Government. You have the Executive then the National Assembly and in terms of elected representatives below the National Assembly is the RDC and the opportunity to serve at this high level is a privilege,” Nandlall said.
He noted that the Government is committed to moving the country forward in the benefit of all people and reminded the Councillors that they play an important role in the process of moving the country forward. He added that Central Government is committed to working with all of the RDCs so that they can dispose of their agenda.
Region 7
In the Cuyuni-Mazaruni Region, two fresh faces took the helm of the RDC in the persons of Kenneth Williams and Kamal Persaud. Adams will replace Gordon Bradford as the Regional Chair and Persaud will serve as the Deputy.
Persaud previously served as Deputy Mayor of Bartica. Williams is a successful businessman and also president of the Bartica Basketball Association.
Region 9
Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) would see Bryan Allicock returning as Regional Chair while Bertie Xavier will serve as the Vice Chairman. Of the 15 seats on the Council, the PPP/C will occupy 9 and the APNU/AFC, 6.
It is understood that Region 8 (Potaro-Siparuni) did not hold an election, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Brentnol Ashley will be returning as the Regional Chair for Region One (Barima-Waini) with Annansha Peters as his Deputy. Peters replaces former Vice Chair Sarah Browne, who is now a parliamentary secretary.
