Peace and our nation’s democracy are threatened

Dear Editor,
“Resist the spin” was the bold front-page headline of no less a newspaper than the Chronicle, as it reported on the words of wisdom offered by GECOM Chair, Justice Claudette Singh “in the interest of peace and stability, I urge you not to execute your functions at the expense of a peaceful society…resist the spin and contextualise your stories”. I do hope this leads to increased vigilance by reporters and it would be ideal if it could extend to writers in the opinion columns; for I was appalled by the attempt by GHK Lall to ‘spin’ Volda Lawrence’s incendiary and dangerous appeals to supporters to congregate outside of polling stations for a ‘nightshift’.
GHK bowls a ball that the ‘nightshift call’ has been taken to mean a festive ‘lime’ complete with beverages and BBQ. Utter balderdash! Having worked as a polling agent in 2015 in the FE Pollard School, Kitty, which housed numerous polling stations, I can testify that the nature of the gathered APNU/AFC crowds outside of that institution was neither festive nor a ‘lime’. Further 90 (1) of the Representation of the People’s Act prohibits the sale of intoxicating liquor on Election Day, this is common knowledge. GHK’s attempt to ‘spin’ should be called a ‘no-ball’ and the bowler’s action should be examined closely; I understand Mr Lall has to sing for his supper and he has fears of returning to the seat of his moped after March 2 should the coalition lose but one must temper the personal for the national.
Editor, I would suggest that GHK Lall’s pieces be ‘contextualised’ as suggested by Justice Singh, mayhap in a column entitled ‘The Vigil Idiot’ away from the ‘no spin zone’ for it seems GHK is alert to every possibility but unable to decipher what is meant by Volda Lawrence’s ‘nightshift’; this ignorance, wilful or otherwise, is dangerous and no longer amusing when lives, peace and our nation’s democracy are threatened in such a transparent manner.

Respectfully,
Robin Singh