Rigged City Council elections just a symptom of APNU/AFC politics

Dear Editor,
The approach used to brutally ‘kick out’ former Deputy Mayor Lionel Jaikarran from his previous role on the Georgetown Municipality is certainly a serious blow to the democratic rights of the elected councillors. However, given that the objectivity he displayed during the past term conflicted with the irrational behaviour of most on the Council, one would have expected a natural challenge at these elections.
There is no denying that most would be inclined to accept the results of such challenges, whenever they occur under conditions of transparency and without violation of people’s rights. According to unchallenged media reports, however, the ‘kick in the butt’ effected on the previous deputy was exercised in a shameful and most undemocratic manner. The occasion of the election for the mayor and deputy mayor was forcefully imbued with much vindictive, power drunk arrogance, exemplifying the partisan party paramountcy position of the PNC of old.
Presiding over the proceedings of the rigged elections of the deputy mayor was the returned mayor herself. In a most undemocratic and vicious manner, she moved swiftly to silence any dissenting voice, even among the PNC-laden Council. Although persons stood to identify their intent of making nominations, no other was allowed under the seeming one-person judge, jury and executioner. The nomination of the Deputy Mayor Lionel Jaikarran or other should have been allowed and put to a vote. The covering up of the sore in this case, however, would only serve to keep the infection locked inside.
It is as clear as day follows night that the PNC racist elements wanted to get rid of the Indian Lionel Jaikarran. Objectivity is of no consequence to this group, (only) the need to send a strong message to any intruding elements of more intent than acceptable procedure. The undemocratic foul-play that took place must not be allowed to continue. Guyanese MUST rise up and be prepared to struggle against all forms of racism and rigged elections.
This brutal assault on local democracy in the local government areas must be forcefully confronted. Mr. Bulkan’s attitude and his high-handed approach to governance in the RDCs and NDCs must now be vehemently opposed. The PNC party paramountcy is drilling deep holes in our people’s minds, evens as efforts (are being made) to impregnate our existing space with the suffocating culture of PNC darkest days.
What is more disgraceful is the fact that Minister David Patterson was present when all the shenanigans were allowed to masquerade. Further, in several RDCs, the open racism and political directives by the Regional Executive Officers will have to be dealt with. As for functioning of the Local Government Commission, this must get into full operation. And the time is most opportune when the LGC must deal with the inept Town Clerk in Georgetown.
We have also witnessed the Minister of Communities’ continued moves to undemocratically enforce and install chairmen and mayors to LAA areas that were tied during the 2018 internal elections.
The minister has made an unconvincing effort to explain his undemocratic move by saying that the laws do not provide for by-elections, thus he has the authority to install persons of his choice for the statutory “elected” positions as Chairmen or Mayors of LAAs.
With poor leadership, the LAAs where Bulkan has placed his cronies would continue to retrogress like the other Government sectors in this country. This is a clear case of politics before progress or development for the people, something that this dictatorial Government has been practising since it took office.
The APNU-appointed political REOs, like the questionable Town Clerk of the Municipality of Georgetown, continue to follow the instructions of their masters to disintegrate and divide our society along racial lines. Bulkan sits back and does nothing to address the calls of the people for better services.
The Town Clerk and the Mayor of Georgetown have become the least favoured couple in this country, with the entire city is calling for their replacement.

Regards,
Neil Kumar