The importance of Local Government Elections is indisputable

Oct 25, 2014 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
Permit me to share some of the reasons why I think Local Government Elections (LGE) are important in Guyana:
1. The election process provides a means of connecting the community and persons elected by the community to govern them in terms of Local Government. It also enhances the representative relationship that exists between them.
2. It will strengthen the democratic process, since people will get to elect their own representatives
3. LGE will give our African Guyanese brothers and sisters the opportunity to at least have a greater say in the communities and municipalities where they make-up the majority of the electorate. It will empower our African Guyanese brothers and sisters who are currently, for all intents and purposes, totally dis-empowered. Our current system has practically reduced them to second class citizens in the country of their birth.
At the national level they have been stripped of all Political Power, despite the fact that we have a minority government. This system is highly untenable, callous, pernicious, totally unacceptable, and has no place in contemporary politics. They are also Guyanese, and like all of us they too crave for the same ethnic security we enjoy. Their foreparents slaved for centuries (before the coming of our ancestors) and so they also have a birthright to their share of the political space, and a right to self-determination.
I do also believe that in the interest of peace, unity, security, and prosperity that this is a conversation whose time has come.
4. It will help to foster greater unity and co-operation as people in each Municipality and NDC will have a greater say in the governance of their respective communities.
5. It will help to build trust among various ethnic groups, where everyone will feel respected, as they will become an integral part of the decision-making process.
6. It will be a big boost to national security, as greater unity will lead to a more cohesive approach in tackling crime.
7. It will help to promote greater accountability, as elected representatives will have to answer directly to the people in their immediate communities.
8. We will be able to achieve much more with so many talented citizens involved in building local communities – the law of Delegation. We will get to take advantage of the talent that resides in various organizations and political parties. This will be a great blessing, given the already scarce supply of much needed skill sets – as a result of the mass exodus of our human capital.
9. It will help to prepare and develop leadership skills among thousands of citizens who will be involved in leading their local communities. These skills, once developed, can then be transferred or utilized at the national level to move our country forward.
I do strongly believe that at this juncture in our history, and given the current political landscape, that the nation’s interest will be better served by convening Local Government Elections first, as opposed to General Elections. Further, given our current experience, it will be prudent that the date for future LGEs be fixed and enshrined in law, so that the nation will no longer be held to ransom by a recalcitrant President, and Local Government Minister. This power should be removed from these offices as a matter of priority so that future generations will not be similarly violated.
Local Government democracy, once embraced, will help to leapfrog development in local communities, and foster greater unity among our peoples at all levels. This is a great opportunity for President Donald Ramotar to leave a proud legacy. I do hope that he has the political will, and the wisdom to seize on it as it is indeed a win-win for all our peoples.
Artie Ricknauth

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The importance of Local Government Elections is indisputable

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