“We will deliver inclusionary governance, constitutional reform” – President Ali
28th anniversary of return of democracy to Guyana
With Monday marking the 28th anniversary of the return of democracy to Guyana, President Dr Irfaan Ali assured that his Government remains committed to ushering inclusionary democracy and constitutional reform.
President Irfaan Ali
Monday was the 28th anniversary of the return to democracy after People’s Progressive Party (PPP) founder and former President Dr Cheddi Jagan won office on October 5, 1992, in the first free and fair elections in over 20 years.
Ali on Monday said that the day serves to remind Guyanese of the importance of preserving democracy. Moreover, he noted that the day allows everyone to re-commit to the democratic cause – something he did on behalf of his Government.
“My Government remains committed to upholding and protecting democracy. We intend to fashion a more inclusive system of governance and, especially, to fortify our democratic institutions so that never again will our people’s freedom be subject to the threat of being hijacked,” Ali said.
Late President, Dr Cheddi Jagan ushered in the return of democracy when he took office in 1992
Sovereignty, he pointed out, according to Guyana’s Constitution, belongs to the people, and they exercise this sovereignty through their elected representatives. “The right of the people to freely and fairly choose who would govern them must remain sacrosanct. This right, we saw earlier this year, is fragile. It must be guarded and safeguarded zealously,” he added.
Rigging
This was a reference to the concerted efforts by the former governing A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) and officials from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to undermine democracy after elections were held.
A number of ploys were involved, from GECOM officials inflating numbers to favour the former ruling party to supporters of the APNU/AFC using the courts to drag out the process after the elections were held on March 2, 2020.
A 33-day recount showed that the PPP won the elections, but it took the firmness of local and regional courts, the resilience of GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh and threats of sanctions from the international community led by the United States before former President David Granger finally stepped aside and allowed President Ali to be sworn in. Ali stressed the need to ensure that democracy is never threatened again.
President Irfaan Ali paid tribute to a number of figures who lost their lives in the struggle for democracy against the PNC, including WPA co-founder Dr Walter Rodney and Father Darke
“This glorious day reminds us that rights carry accompanying duties and that, consequentially, every citizen has a duty to defend democracy. Today, as we observe the 28th anniversary of the restoration of democracy, it is as good a time as any to re-commit to ensuring our democracy is never again threatened.”
“I also take this opportunity to recognise and thank all those Guyanese, among them, many young people who stood up and allowed themselves to be counted in the history books of our country, when their country needed them, in defence of democracy in 2020,” Ali said.
Defenders of democracy
While paying tribute to those who stood up and defended democracy in 2020, Ali also made sure to applaud those who stood with Dr Cheddi Jagan as he defied the former People’s National Congress (PNC) regime of Forbes Burnham.
“October 5th is a significant date in our country’s political calendar. On the 5th October 1992, democracy was restored to our beloved motherland after an absence of 28 years. On this the 28th anniversary milestone, Guyana recalls the epic struggle waged for the restoration of the right of our people to freely elect a Government of their choice,” Ali said.
“Today, we pay tribute to all those, inside and outside of Guyana, who contributed to the eventual triumph of democracy. We remember especially those brave individuals who lost their lives in this struggle, including Jagan Ramesar, Bhola Nauth Parmanand, Father Bernard Darke and Dr Walter Rodney.”
According to Ali, the restoration of democracy on October 5, 1992, ushered in a new era and brought Guyana out from the shadows of being a pariah State. It meant the end to dictatorship and the stifling of economic development.
“It unlocked the latent potential of our people and propelled economic growth and development. Guyana’s economic, political and social progress over the past twenty-eight years would not have been possible without democracy,” Ali said. (G3)
