One-seat majority toppled the PPP Government in 2015

Dear Editor,
When a vote of no-confidence by the coalition partners with a one-seat majority toppled the PPP/C Government in 2015 there was instant concession to the Constitutional provisions, which led to the coalition attaining administrative office through an election that was challenged by the PPP/C, which is currently in opposition. However, that election petition, three and a half years after, has been held in abeyance; thus what the PPP/C leaders and supporters consider to be a de facto Government continued to administer the affairs of state, until Opposition Leader Dr Bharrat Jagdeo initiated a no-confidence motion against the coalition Government. What transpired thereafter in the National Assembly of Guyana on December 21, 2018, is well-documented and need not be rehashed here in detail. Suffice it to say that a conscience vote by a Government MP, Mr Charandas Persaud, toppled the coalition Government, which the President, Prime Minister and other Government officials immediately conceded; as well as admitting that the coalition Government has now been reduced to a caretaker Government until elections are held three months thereafter.
However, true to form, they back-pedaled and what followed was a hilarious attempt to perpetuate their illegal Government through various configurations, one example of such is an astounding and absurd mathematical calculation on what constitutes a majority in a 65-seat Parliament that has made Guyana’s Parliament the laughingstock of the world.
Subsequently, after the Speaker, who almost always concedes to coalition members of Parliament, to the aggravation of PPP/C members, wisely refused to review his ruling on the passing of the no-confidence motion they have taken their contention to the court; with their initial arguments on majority issues, but also with the specious submission that Mr Persaud has a dual (Canadian/Guyana) citizenship, which invalidates his vote on the no-confidence motion.
Editor, as we approach an early national and regional election, my areas of priority as a Member of Parliament have been firmly focused on young people and indigenous people. Over the last three and a half years, from my perspective as an Indigenous Member of Parliament, I have seen the neglect by the APNU+AFC Government of both young and indigenous people of Guyana. How can anyone forget the discriminatory action against Guyana’s indigenous youths as well as their dependents when 1972 Community Service Officers for indigenous communities were immediately dismissed by the APNU+AFC coalition Government upon assumption to office in May, 2015.
Subsequently indigenous peoples’ development as well as national development all went on a downward trajectory, plummeting to a dynamic that inhibited growth of any kind in any sector. Examples are the Amerindian Land Titling, mining GRIF, Hinterland ICT programme. What a sad irony that the deceptive promises of the “good life” now lies spent and impotent with the masses downtrodden and beaten by the daily struggle to survive.
As an Indigenous citizen, it is the fervent hope that all Guyanese youths, inclusive of the Indigenous youths, are ready to go to the polls, and cast their votes against the oppressive APNU+AFC. The APNU+AFC Government has done absolutely nothing for the youths of Guyana. The APNU+AFC Government has done nothing for indigenous people of Guyana. They have neglected all of us, taken us for granted, and let us down while focusing on their personal advancement either through legal or corrupt means. It is time for the youths to take their future in their own hands and move forward with the successive PPP/C.

Alister Charlie
PPP/C MP
Region Nine