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Local Govt. Elections…Granger gives Ramotar Sept. 15 ultimatum
By Abena Rockcliffe
“Local government elections, last held in 1994, are a constitutional obligation and a democratic entitlement of the Guyanese people. It is not an option of the executive branch of government.”- Granger
Holding him to the will of the National Assembly, the constitution and a promise he made in his Manifesto, Opposition Leader David Granger yesterday called on President Donald Ramotar to set a date for Local Government Elections (LGE).
The politician did this by way of a letter he sent to Ramotar’s Office.
Opposition Leader, David Granger
Granger wrote “reminding” the President that the Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendment) Bill, at its second reading in February this year, was debated and passed ‘as amended’ and that that piece of legislation directed that elections be held on or before August, 1.
The political leader outlined that in accordance with the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, “Local Government is a vital aspect of democracy.”
He told Ramotar, “Local Government Elections, last held in 1994, are a constitutional obligation and a democratic entitlement of the Guyanese people. It is not an option of the executive branch of government.”
In his bid to give the President further reasons to conform with the Constitution, Granger reminded, “you had promised in the People’s Progressive Party Civic Manifesto ¯ Working Together for a Better Tomorrow – to ensure that within one year of the 2011 general elections, local government elections are held.”
Upon those platforms, Granger stated, “We now call on you to respect the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana; to respect the decision of the National Assembly with regard to the Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendment) Bill 2014; and to respect your manifesto ¯Working Together for a Better Tomorrow.”
The Opposition Leader told the President that he has until or before Monday September 15, 2014, to announce the date for LGE to be held countrywide; to issue the ‘Commencement Order’ to operationalized the Local Government Commission and to initiate a process by which the Local Government (Amendment) Bill could be returned for his assent.
“We wish to advise that, failing an announcement by you that local government elections will be held and that these legitimate democratic conditions are met, we shall be obliged to take any lawful action to mobilize national and international support in defence of local democracy, the Constitution and the rights of the Guyanese people.
President Donald Ramotar
In the manifesto to which Granger referenced, Ramotar had promised that, “In the area of local government and governance, the next PPP/C government will ensure, within one year of the 2011 general elections, that local government elections are held bringing much needed reinvigoration into local government entities.”
But, in June, President Donald Ramotar refused to assent to the Local Government (Amendment) Bill which had been passed by the National Assembly along with the Municipal and District Councils (Amendment) Bill, the Local Government Commission Bill and the Fiscal Transfers Bill. Ramotar also ignored the Local Authorities (Elections Amendment) Bill 2013 which states that elections must be held on or before August 1, 2014, a date which has long passed.
Using their combined one-seat majority, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) in February approved an amendment to the Local Authorities (Amendment) (Elections) Bill 2014, even when the government argued against it.
President Ramotar in May wrote House Speaker, Raphael Trotman informing that he was withholding his assent because the Guyana Elections Commission has publicly declared that it is impractical to hold local government elections” by that date.
At the time the Bill was being debated, Local Government Minister, Norman Whittaker, had told the House that December 1, 2014, appeared to be a more acceptable deadline to hold the long overdue polls.
President Ramotar had also dismissed calls by the international community to hold elections. Former United States Ambassador to Guyana Brent Hardt was one who made such a call. This resulted in widely publicized fallout between government and Ambassador Hardt.
The PPP/C, when it enjoyed a majority, passed amendments for 12 consecutive years, from 1997, to defer the holding of local government elections.
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