Smaller Parties within the Coalition cannot allow Guyana to fall victim again

Feb 24, 2020 Letters

Dear Editor,

As we enter the final week before national elections, we continue to be swamped with decisions by GECOM which do little to encourage confidence in the management and outcome of these elections. In retrospect, with its unilateral appointment of the prior GECOM Chair, the Granger-led administration had little or no intention to ensure that the 2020 elections would be conducted in a free and fair manner, and that the no-confidence motion of December 21, 2018 only threw a wrench into the administration’s plans, forcing them to fast forward their preparations for elections. Concerns regarding the fairness of these elections were only solidified by some PNC stalwarts personally confiding that the PPP and Jageo, would NEVER get back into office. It is now quite clear that this would not be because the PPP executive, inclusive of Jagdeo, would be made to answer and be held accountable for corruption during their term…
Another emerging major concern is the role America is perceived to be expected to play in these elections. We are no strangers to overt American interference in our internal politics, and with more American interests at stake here than before, we can undoubtedly expect more of such interference given the unpalatable nature of our choices at the polls.There has been talk (I’m quite sure not restricted to my ears only) that the American government, like me, is not enamored by Jagdeo and Irfaan, and might well support the Granger administration to secure an outcome in their favour. I’ve said before that there’s one thing worse than Jagdeo, Irfaan, and their brand of corruption, and that is Granger and another 28 years of rigged elections, all with the blessings of America.
One hardly needs to reference the inherent prejudices of the Granger administration, its unwillingness to rely on governance procedure in policy development and administration, its commitment to deals like Exxon’s and its sheer disregard for traditional PPP supporters to envisage the economic tragedy which awaits us should we be victim of an unfair election. I emphasize that we need to pay keener attention to preparations at GECOM.
Jagdeo has declared his intention to let Exxon have our oil, yes, but are we going to support Granger who is a suspected puppet of America?
My second proposal here is that we work with Jagdeo for now and make a decision in 2025. Unless we decide to dump both of them this time around as I have advocated.
My first is that even as I express my sore disappointment that Ramjattan’s justified rejection of Jagdeo and the current PPP executive would cloud his vision on what is fair and just for all Guyana, I personally urge the AFC and all the other smaller parties within the Coalition to withdraw from the Coalition and scuttle plans to prejudice the upcoming elections. These other parties can now potentially force another election with a reorganised opposition. I asked him to support the DNC, as I will support him, and encourage other such civic leaders as Jan Mangal, Mel Jankie and Christopher Ram to get on board in the fight for Guyana’s future.
All Guyanese are urged to make contact with their civil society leaders to get them to get involved and ensure that the upcoming March 02 elections are free, fair, and a reflection of the will of the people of Guyana.

Regards,
Craig Sylvester,
Party Leader, Democratic National Congress

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