Latest update December 17th, 2024 3:32 AM
House-to-house registration is the best option for a more accurate list of electors
DEAR EDITOR,
I support the ongoing house-to-house registration as the best option for a more accurate list of electors.
The population census result of 2012 has shown that our population is in decline, from 751,223 to 746,955 persons between 2002 and 2012, but at the same time we are seeing over the last two election cycles that the number of voters are increasing, and this can be attributed to the fact that longstanding residents abroad are still on the list.
For the 2011 elections there were 475,496 voters as against 570,708 voters in 2015.
The population declined, but still the voters increased and continue to increase. The projection is that if the list remains as it is for the upcoming elections, there will be in excess of 600,000 voters.
No other prominent person than the late Cheddi Jagan, founder of the People’s Progressive Party, commented and advocated strongly, years ago, that he expected the list of electors should not have more than one percent overseas residents on it.
My estimate is that there are over 30,000 overseas residents on the old list – that is 20 percent more than there should be, and this is extremely high, plus not good for a free and fair election, thus this grand democratic process we are on, here in Guyana, and the PPP/C conveniently seems to champion.
A resident Guyanese will be in the best position to vote based on being domiciled here, and having seen the performance of the political parties and presidential candidates in contention. Hence I support the house-to-house registration that is going on, and hope that it is completed in an accurate and timely manner for us to have the election that could determine our future socio-economic development or retrogression, even as we expect the oil and gas industry to kick off soon.
Ivelaw Henry
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