A DEFINING MOMENT FOR THE PEOPLE

Dec 15, 2015 Editorial, Features / Columnists

The long delayed Local Government Elections (LGEs) will finally be held on Friday March 18, 2016 in nine towns and 62 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs). In 2006, then President Bharrat Jagdeo told the nation that in the next five years, his Government will work towards the political, economic and social transformation of the country in which everyone will have equal access to resources and benefit from the economic development and improvement in social conditions.
That did not happen for the masses. It became very clear to the citizens that the former PPP administration had lacked the commitment to hold Local Government Elections. Not only was it self-serving, but a total disrespect for democracy and the people. After being in office for six months, the government has decided to hold Local Government Elections to make sure that all local elected officials are accountable to the taxpayers and the voters.
The NDCs and Municipalities have had their fair share of corrupt practices, nepotism and shoddy services. Many NDC members had wanted Local Government Elections in order to hand over office to the younger generation but the PPP would have none of it. The PPP had preferred to keep the malfunctioning local government system in place so that it could continue its corrupt practices and install Interim Management Committees (IMCs) dominated party supporters.
The long delay of LGE has meant that all the Mayors and Councillors have remained unelected. Some have resigned, died, or migrated. Those who remained or succeeded them have become unaccountable which was a sure route to nepotism and corruption.
During the 2011 election campaign, Mr. Donald Ramotar, promised the people that if elected, his government will hold local government elections within six months of his presidency. He also promised that his administration will pass a Bill in Parliament to reform the system and provide more resources to the NDCs and the Municipalities.
Elected to office with a minority government, Mr. Ramotar stubbornly refused to sign into law the Local Government Bill passed by the majority APNU and AFC opposition.
Among other things, the Bill actually sought to correct the imbalance in the relationship between the central government and the local authorities. This was the sore point that led to the fundamental disagreements between the opposition and the PPP administration on what that relationship should be.
The PPP had preferred a relationship in which the central government, through the subject minister, would maintain absolute veto over local governments, particularly on financial matters. The parties in the current coalition government have opted for a more democratic relationship, whereby the power of the Municipalities would be increased and that of the subject Minister would be decreased.
This was one of several reasons that eventually forced the combined opposition to table the no-confidence motion in Parliament against the former government, which eventually led to fresh elections and the defeat of the PPP.
It is important to note that the Local Government Bill, which was vetoed by President Ramotar was one of the first pieces of legislation passed by the new Parliament and assented to by President Granger. The opposition PPP had boycotted Parliament during consideration and passage of the Bill following its defeat at the polls in the last election.
The Bill not only made changes to the system but it laid out the conditions for the holding of Local Government Elections.
There was no valid justification for the lack of political commitment by the former administration to delay Local Government Elections for 18 years.
It was regrettable and shameful. The PPP cannot be proud of its record in office. The nation is now saved from further international embarrassment because the new government has honored its campaign promise to correct a serious democratic blunder.
Calling Local Government Elections is a defining moment for the country and the people.

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