Local government elections- Fortifying grassroot democracy

Sep 16, 2018 APNU Column, Features / Columnists

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Conventional wisdom tells us that there is usually very low voter turnout at local government elections. In Guyana local elections returned in 2016 after an absence of over two decades. Feedback from the youth population who make up over 60 percent of the eligible voters shows a great depth of disinterest that is troubling. The elections this year will also see many new first-time voters. These voters will have to be educated since unlike general and regional elections local government elections are divided into two components, a proportional representation (PR) section and a first past the post section. Half of the elected representatives will be selected from the PR section of the ballot and the other half form the first past the post section. Education voter therefore becomes the number one priority for all the stakeholders so as to reduce potential confusion come November 12. However, these challenges must be faced head-on because local government elections are a constitutional right that should never be ignored, violated or taken for granted.
Article 12 of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana states that, “local government by freely elected representatives of the people is an integral part of the democratic organisation of the state.” Representative government flourishes when there is government of the people for the people by the people. I know this sounds like some pie in the sky statement, but it is as true as the rising of the sun in the east. A government for the people, by the people, just cannot work without the people. It would be like trying to drive a car without an engine or a computer without a hard drive, people matter. A democracy without voters is an empty shell without power.
The youth vote which was critical in the 2015 general and regional elections will be critical once again since in Guyana one in every three persons is considered a youth. The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) systematic destruction of our system of local democracy and neglect of our communities during their 23 years in officecontinues to have a severe impact on the quality of life for many Guyanese especially in the local government areas that are controlled by that political party. We must therefore be persuasive when we explain to the young voter that one vote may seem to be little more than a whisper but when that vote is combined with the votes of others who share their views, it can become a shout. It is imperative that we explain to them that elections have consequences.
If you don’t vote, you lose your right to complain. One thing that is really annoying is to hear eligible voters who chose not to vote complaining about the poor system of local representation by elected representatives in their municipalities or Neighbourhood Democratic Councils. If you don’t vote, it is like saying you don’t care how your community is being run; you don’t care what happens to you. When you don’t vote you lose the right to complain. So, if you want the right to complain the next time the garbage is not collected in your village or town or you have poor roads, drainage and no green space (community centre ground, playing fields etc.) for leisure and relaxation, then you must exercise your right to vote.
Believe it or not, many of our ancestors fought and died for the right to vote, a right that we should never take for granted. You should vote in these local government elections because you can, if you don’t you may wake up one day in a country where you can’t (it can and has happened before.) At the end of the day if you are eligible to vote and you know what you want for yourself and your community; VOTE. Vote because it is about making a choice, whether it is the right choice or not depends on how much you care. Voting is a powerful way of voicing your opinion. Get acquainted with the candidates and the issues especially those that pertain to you and your community; proper drainage, installation of street lights, addressing your safety and security, accessible and proper roads, training and job opportunities for young people, look at all your options and then go cast your vote and make sure to encourage your family and friends to do so too.
A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) will be contesting these elections as a single entity. We have already begun the job of cleaning up and restoring many communities after years of neglect and decay caused by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP); just take a look at what has been achieved in just a few years in our Capital City, Georgetown. In many rural communities, residents now have potable water and street lights for the first time.
The 2016 Local Government Election (LGE) became the vehicle through which the process of democratic renewal began. It has moved the country from despair to a democratic regime in which local leaders can now meet, discuss, debate and decide how our communities will be governed.
APNU will adhere to an empowerment policy that regularly renews local democracy by ensuring that local government elections are held- as is stipulated in our constitution. We shall fortify grassroots democracy by ensuring that local residents are allowed to play a greater role in managing their own towns and villages.

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