Dear Editor,
Guyana has had its fair share of stigma during the election period, and its consequential dogma continues. Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo had forewarned, before the election recount result was declared, that all those involved in contributing to hindering the smooth election process would have to face the necessary penalty. At that time, a number of guilty parties did not pay attention, ignored his advice, and continued to be puppets dancing to the whims and fancies of the PNCR political masters.
Intelligent people have: allowed themselves to be used and abused; acted against their better judgement; made irrational decisions; failed to accept right over wrong; condoned unrighteous actions over righteous actions; denied truth and embraced lies; supported evil doings above virtuous tidings, and castigated morality to be shaded by an umbrella of immorality.
A sense of false security had prevailed, and yet naïve candidates became vulnerable to inauspiciousness, and fell prey to manipulation. When confronted by a national and international community that was determined to uphold free and fair election and defend the CARICOM recount election result in order to protect the will of the people, how did anyone in a right frame of mind expected to escape by aiding and abetting, rigging and defrauding the system?
But the strong affluence of devious, devilish and diabolical persuasions created an ambience of corruption that the gullible readily succumbed to; aware of the costly repercussions, yet dazed by the false promises of future gains and the immediate, short-lived, frivolous perks.
In hindsight, was the reckless risk worthy of the unrealistic mirage? So foolish is this sad state of unpleasantness that now has to remain a permanent part of an embodiment and now has to suffer the dehumanizing result! It wasn’t a case of miscalculation or faith and belief in the destabilisers, but simply the green of greed and the callous disrespect for integrity that influenced a regrettable and disastrous behaviour. Now this sad state of affairs is dragging all those who are ashamed and want to hide from the long arm of the law; but sadly, they all have to face the legal penalty.
Don’t for a second think this is “witch-hunting”, or being spiteful, or payback time, or a combination of retributions. This award is the reward for the sterling efforts that went astray. Is there a bitter lesson learnt? Are there Guyanese who will once again try to repeat such a horrendous ordeal? For sure, there will be reformation before the next election is held.
It is unfortunate that there are still many who feel aghast at this outcome, and are bitter and pent up with feelings. There are many who harbour no remorse, and many who feel betrayed. Are they now willing and capable of experiencing a change of heart? It was the US Secretary of State who had also cautioned that all those who were complicit in undermining democracy in any form or shape and by any degree will certainly feel the wrath of the law. The US sanction by way of visa restrictions was certainly welcome as proof of that promise. Now we have many of the accused facing criminal charges, and others who are wary and worried, watching the clock and the front door, fearful of that long awaiting, dreadful knock. Sleepless and troublesome nights are not a thing of the past. But then, they told you not to do it, but you insisted. So? Ole people say, “now face the music.”
Respectfully,
Jai Lall
