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PPP 2011 manifesto promised Local Govt. Elections in 2012
The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has failed to live up to its 2011 elections campaign manifesto in terms of the holding of Local Government Elections.
GECOM Chairman Steve Surubally
The party had promised in its developmental blueprint that if it was successful at the General Elections in 2011, the “long overdue” Local Government Elections would be “ensured” within one year.
If elections are not held before November 28, this year, it will be three years since that promise was made and two decades since the country last experienced local government polls.
The party, through its General Secretary Clement Rohee, and Minister within Local Government Norman Whitaker has already declared that the 2014 elections cannot be held in August, but Shadow Local Government Minister for A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Ronald Bulkan believes that their utterances “are nothing but fig leaves to cover their nakedness” since in his view, the government is not keen on holding local polls. He was also unconvinced about statements relating to the public not being knowledgeable about elections and is therefore uninterested in participating.
Bulkan was at the time reiterating his call for the government to be serious about holding local elections. He also made his statement on the heels of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) stating publicly that they are adequately equipped to hold the elections if the Local Government Minister gives a date.
Bulkan charged that, “the PPP has always been aware that GECOM could hold Local Government Elections within six months’ notice. GECOM had said that a long time.”
APNU Local Government Shadow Minister Ronald Bulkan
“The bottom line is that the PPP does not want to have these elections as they are terrified about being rejected by communities that have seen the corruption, incompetence and favouritism on the part of PPP Councilors and PPP appointed officials within these Councils.”
He argued that their actions of delaying elections “must be seen for what it really is, which is about thieving or the ability to continue their corrupt ways.”
“They are only delaying the inevitable, which is to feel the wrath of citizens who are totally fed up over being denied their constitutional right to elect Councilors to manage community affairs. Fed up over stink communities, no playgrounds, lack of employment etc.”
Bulkan also stated that the need for reformed legislation was the first obstacle for the holding of local government polls, but he charged that the final four Local Government Reform Bills were passed in the National Assembly last year. “So if the PPP were serious about having these elections, it could have been held by 8th February 2014,” he posited.
Additionally, Bulkan blasted the government for not yet establishing the Local Government Commission. “There is no valid reason why the Local Government Commission has not been constituted as yet, following passage of the legislation seven months ago.”
The government had promised however to strengthen the capacity of the Local Government Ministry; build greater capacity in the local government bodies, and to
Minister within Local Government Ministry Norman Whittaker
enhance accountability and transparency; especially in the area of awarding contracts, among other things.
Several stakeholders, including international missions, local unions and associations have called for Local Government polls.
Last year, GECOM’s Chairman Dr. Steve Surujbally had stated that the agency could be ready in six months if a date for local polls was given. He said at the time that certain statutory provisions had to be made to move ahead with the successful hosting of Local Government Elections.
“But generally speaking, the team is ready. We are starting in September (2013), a new continuous registration exercise, which will ensure that the voters’ list is even more perfect,” Dr Surujbally had told the media last year.
He said GECOM had already demarcated the various boundaries and constituencies. Surujbally indicated to reporters last Thursday that the holding of elections at this time depends primarily on the Local Government Minister who has to give an election date.
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