Democracy must not only be preached, but also practiced

Aug 29, 2008 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
After being governed by various local government bodies for the past 14 years, it is obvious that citizens are fed up with the modus operandi of most if not all of these municipalities and NDCs.

It is interesting to note that during this prolonged period there has been Interim Management Committees established to run the affairs of some of these bodies, resignations of officers, no confidence votes which have in turn allowed for the inefficiency and ineffectiveness of some of these bodies.

One can conclude that the people who are part of these bodies have become frustrated and hence they are not motivated to perform their duties as was tasked some 14 years ago.

It is rather surprising that the present PPP/C regime which talks about democracy and abiding by the Constitution of Guyana has embraced the notion of no local government elections for the past 14 years.

It is this same regime whilst in opposition that criticised the PNC government for not holding these elections; now they are guilty of the same crime.

While I know they will want to say that the aspect of local government reform was necessary, I am aware that these reforms have been completed hence elections could be held as soon as possible.

However, from what I have been seeing and hearing there seems to be no urgency in having these elections held.

If one should take the words of Dr. Roger Luncheon seriously, where he stated at a recent press conference that local government elections are still possible this year, I am looking forward with some amount of anxiety to see these words being put into action.

Mr. Editor, GECOM having completed the house to house registration and published a preliminary voters’ list for the various divisions in Guyana must now advise the government that it is important to hold these elections, thus the Minister of Local Government in keeping with the laws of Guyana must ensure that the date for holding these elections is no later than 31st December 2008 and at the same time by proclamation he should dissolve the various municipalities and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils.

I trust that President Jagdeo who has been doing a fair job since his accession to office will ensure that the word ‘Democracy’ is not only preached by his government but practised, hence giving the populace the opportunity to elect their local leaders as they have been given to elect their national leaders on three occasions during the 14 years of prolonged postponed local government elections.
Grayson Samuels