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Elections and the right to elect a government of one’s choice must never be taken for granted
Dear Editor,
Kaieteur News – The PPP/C is undoubtedly the largest multi-racial political party in Guyana. Formed over 75 years ago, it has been at the forefront of all major political and constitutional developments in the country, including the right to vote.
Most Guyanese today take that right for granted, but there was a time when only the rich and the propertied class were allowed to vote. That was before the formation of the PPP in January 1950. In fact, one of the first demands made by the PPP was to petition the British government to allow for universal adult suffrage. This led to the visit of the Waddington Commission to the then-colony of British Guiana. Several organisations and individuals appeared before the Commission, where a case was made for the removal of property and literacy qualification in order to vote in national elections.
In 1953, elections were held for the first time under universal adult suffrage, which was decisively won by the PPP. The PPP won 18 of the 28 seats and for the first time, a nationalist party came to office, albeit with limited powers. Dr. Jagan was named Chief Minister, and for the first time, a ministerial system of government was established.
The point in the above is that it was the PPP that led the struggle for the right to vote, which was ruptured by the PNC in 1968 and subsequent ‘elections’ until democracy was finally restored on October 5, 1992 after some 28 years of PNC authoritarian rule.
It is important that the history of democratic elections in Guyana be put in proper historical context, especially as we approach yet another General and Regional elections on September 1, 2025. Elections and the right to elect a government of one’s choice must never be taken for granted. It took a long and sustained struggle led by the PPP to obtain the right to vote and an even more bitter and relentless fight to have that right restored after decades of minority authoritarian rule.
Regards,
Hydar Ally
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