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It is time for us to do the right things in our quest for a democratic and prosperous Guyana
DEAR EDITOR,
The decision by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to proceed with house- to-house registration despite strong objections from the Opposition-nominated Commissioners is most unfortunate and does not augur well in terms of the capacity of GECOM to deliver credible elections in a timely matter.
The constant walk-outs from GECOM meetings by opposition-nominated Commissioners bring back memories of the pre-1992 period when GECOM was a willing tool of the then PNC regime. Commissioners representing the PPP were forced to walk out from meetings on matters which were patently biased, such as the refusal to count votes at the place of poll and on the issue of overseas voters, among others.
Why the need for a new Voters’ List involving billions of dollars when the technology is available to sanitize the list and prevent multiple voting? Why is it that the Continuous Registration process is not utilized to update the List of Electors and bring in all eligible voters? Is the insistence on a new Voters’ List based on house-to-house registration another ploy to delay elections beyond the due constitutional deadline?
Guyanese are eagerly awaiting the CCJ ruling on the matter of the no-confidence vote, but whatever the ruling, the imperative of timely and credible elections remains a national imperative.
The credibility of GECOM is once again on trial. Its inability to reach consensus on fundamental issues that will impact on free and fair elections is at best worrying.
Given the failure of GECOM to reach consensus on fundamental issues, an oversight mechanism should established at GECOM involving representatives from the United Nations to assist in arriving at consensus on fundamental issues pertaining to electoral fairness. The presence of a politically neutral oversight body at GECOM could also help to boost confidence levels in the electoral processes.
The credibility and integrity of the electoral process in Guyana is a necessary ingredient for political, economic and social stability which is so necessary at this time. We are soon to experience the dawn of a new day in our economic life, thanks to oil and gas which could have a transformative impact on the country and its citizens.
It is time for us to do the right things in our quest for a democratic and prosperous Guyana.
Hydar Ally
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