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Why Guyanese must demand the right to elect parliamentary representatives and presidential reform

Dec 15, 2024 Letters

-demand a democracy where Parliamentarians are directly elected and presidents are held accountable

Dear Editor,

The time has come for Guyana to confront one of the most glaring flaws in its political system: the lack of direct election of parliamentarians and the entrenchment of an executive presidency that places the occupant above the law. These structural deficiencies undermine democracy, alienate the citizenry, and concentrate unchecked power in the hands of a few. The consequences for governance, justice, and accountability are dire, and this must change.

In Guyana, parliamentarians are not directly elected by the people they are meant to serve. Instead, they are selected from a list crafted by the leader of a political party. This system fundamentally severs the relationship between representatives and their constituents. Rather than being accountable to the electorate, parliamentarians owe their positions and political survival to party leaders. This arrangement fosters a culture of patronage, stifles dissent, and ensures that party interests take precedence over national priorities and the will of the people.

Contrast this with democracies where citizens vote directly for their representatives. In these systems, elected officials have a mandate to represent the interests of their constituents and are held accountable through regular elections. Guyana deserves no less. The current list-based system diminishes the voice of grassroots Guyanese, marginalizes civil society, and erodes trust in democratic institutions.

Compounding this problem is the executive presidency enshrined in our Constitution. The provision grants sweeping immunity to sitting and former presidents, effectively placing them above the law. This means that a president could, quite literally, commit crimes—even murder—and face no legal consequences while in office or afterward. Such a provision is not only undemocratic but also dangerous. It encourages impunity, corrodes the rule of law, and undermines the principle that no one is above accountability.

Consider the implications: a president, secure in their immunity, can wield power without fear of repercussions. Corruption, abuse of authority, and other criminal acts can go unchecked. The people of Guyana are left to bear the costs of such unchecked power, as justice becomes a privilege reserved for the powerful and denied to the masses.

Guyana’s political system needs urgent modernization. We must start by enabling citizens to directly elect their parliamentary representatives, ensuring that these leaders are accountable to the people, not party elites. This shift would strengthen the link between elected officials and their constituents, empower citizens, and foster a more responsive and inclusive democracy.

Equally important is the removal of the executive presidency’s immunity provision. No leader, regardless of their office, should be above the law. This reform would restore the rule of law, deter misconduct, and signal to the world that Guyana is committed to justice and accountability.

The international community, particularly the USA and the ABCEU countries, must join civil society and grassroots Guyanese in demanding these reforms. As partners and advocates for democracy and benefactors of our vast natural resources, they have a responsibility to support the people of Guyana in building a political system that is fair, accountable, and reflective of modern democratic values. Their voices, alongside ours, can amplify the call for change and put pressure on those in power to act.

For too long, Guyana’s political system has failed its people. It is time to break free from the shackles of outdated practices and create a system that truly represents the will of the people. Let us demand a democracy where parliamentarians are directly elected, and presidents are held accountable. The future of our nation depends on it.

Yours truly,

C.A. Singh

(Why Guyanese must demand the right to elect parliamentary representatives and presidential reform)

(Guyanese must demand, Guyanese must demand)

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