Well Done-GPF and GDF

Dear Editor,
President Irfaan Ali, on behalf of so many, said that ‘You held the line,’ referring to the occasion where “Several members of the Disciplined Services were awarded the Joint Services Medal Class A for their meritorious and dedicated service in support of Law and Order, during the just concluded elections.” I followed the happenings, preceding and following the just concluded elections, and it is now quite appropriate that our Armed Forces be commended for “… their unwavering commitment to duty and their vital role in ensuring the safety and security of the nation, during the recently held 2025 general and regional elections.”
Let me point out that our security sector is always under pressure. If it does not deliver (in the eyes of some), there is condemnation, and when it does, there is the fear of being criticised by some segments in the country. The job is not an easy one. The Guyana Police and Defence Forces have sworn allegiance to the country, and many times, especially with the GPF, the members are scorned because ‘some segments’ want them to ‘turn a blind eye’ to criminality, especially during a protest, more so at the time of elections. I think, that under the People’s Progressive Party, we are seeing a dramatic move towards professionalism, and the ability by both the GDF and GPF, to dispense duties in accordance to ‘good governance’ and law. So, the recent presidential commendations are quite in order.
As per the dailies, President Irfaan Ali stated that “You held the line, calm, silent, but decisive in your action, and this, of course, allowed the people’s will to be expressed without disruption,” explaining that “Elections can be moments of strain. They stir passion by debate. They expose the division. Yet Guyana passed the test, and we passed it because the Joint Services ensured that passion did not become provocation and division did not descend into disorder. Their vision, their vigilance gave us peace; their discipline gives us stability.”
Editor, after noting the president’s note of encomium, my mind went back to the pre-election pronouncement from Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken, that “… the police will be present at elections to protect, not interfere …” His assurance, quite timely and necessary was the Guyana Police Force (GPF) will be focussed on protecting the constitutional rights of citizens on election day. In his own words he stated that “Police officers and ranks will be in all 10 of the administrative regions…not to interfere, but to protect your constitutional rights to participate peacefully and safely.”
So, on a job well done, without fear nor favour, the chorus of ‘gracefulness’ must be repeated and remembered. Here is an example of what I mean. On August 31, 2025, when the GDF had reported that while escorting GECOM officials and ballot boxes along the Upper Cuyuni River in the vicinity of Bamboo, near the Guyana-Venezuela border, a Joint Services patrol came under fire from the Venezuelan shore. (However) The escort team, comprising ranks from the Guyana Defence Force and the Guyana Police Force, conducting official duties in support of GECOM’s ballot distribution to remote polling stations in Region Seven, returned fire, and successfully manoeuvred the escort team out of danger. In the end, no injuries were sustained by any personnel, and no election materials were damaged nor compromised.
Let us, then as safe Guyanese, concur with the president that “We must offer the nation’s gratitude, gratitude not only in words, but in deeds, gratitude that will be reflected in our commitment to support and strengthen the Joint Services to provide you with the tools and resources you need to ensure that your welfare be prioritised and that your service be honoured, not just ceremonially, but substantively, to the people of Guyana.”

Yours truly,
Hargesh B Singh