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May 17, 2017 Source

The Carter Center, which observed Guyana’s general elections in 2015, hopes that the David Granger-led administration will keep its election promise to forge ahead with power-sharing and reduce the chances of ethnic and political conflict over oil revenues.

“In the report, The Carter Center repeats its longstanding support for fundamental constitutional reform that attenuates the problems with the current winner-take-all system. The urgency of this challenge is made greater with the anticipated influx of oil revenue, which has the potential to exacerbate ethnic and political conflicts,” the Centre said in a statement accompanying the release of the Carter Centre  2015 Elections Observer Mission report.

When contacted, the Carter Center declined to expand on its linkage between oil revenues and Guyana’s  ethnic and political environment.

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman Wednesday night told Demerara Waves Online News, in the absence of seeing the Carter Centre dispatch, acknowledged that Guyanese ought to be concerned about the management, transparency  and fair distribution of the financial windfall that Guyana’s expects from oil revenues.

“I don’t think we needed an international agency like the Carter Center to tell us that. It is something that we all have to be concerned about and we have seen conflicts in other countries over resources and so it is something that government is aware of,” he said.

Trotman said the politicians, civil society, private sector and other stakeholders must be involved in the management of the oil resource beyond the life of one administration. He said the Sovereign Wealth Fund is expected to guarantee transparency and accountability and benefit sharing would be across the entire country. He noted that the Petroleum Commission legislation guarantees the involvement of the political opposition and civil society.

The Petroleum Commission Bill, he said, would soon be debated and sent to a Parliamentary Select Committee for further refinement.

In its report, the Carter Centre says it welcomes the APNU+AFC coalition’s campaign pledge to “mount fundamental constitutional reform to achieve more inclusive governance and power sharing and urges the coalition to live up to this promise.” “Similarly, the Center urges the PPP/C to engage fully in what should be an open process inclusive of all stakeholders. The Center encourages all Guyanese to think profoundly
and creatively about how these goals could be achieved.”

Similarly, the Center urges the PPP/C to engage fully in what should be an open process inclusive of all stakeholders.

The Carter Centre notes that while Guyana has previously experienced close elections, 2015 was the closest election to date, with a coalition of APNU+AFC coalition receiving 50.3 percent of the 412,012 valid votes cast compared to the PPP/C’s 49.2 percent- only 4,506 votes separating  the winner from the loser.

LEFT TO RIGHT: American Ambassador, Perry Holloway; Foreign Minister Carl Greenidge; Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman , and Carter Centre Country Representative, Jason Calder.

Despite these distinctions, the Carter Center says 2015 elections still showed that ethnic mobilization played a major role in the campaign, although moderated somewhat by the opposition coalition’s built-in need to reach across traditional ethnic lines.

“Overall, while these elections represent a step forward in Guyana’s democratic development, there is much work to be done to ensure governance is inclusive and elections become more routine and less traumatic to the nation,” said the Center which first observed Guyana’s historic elections in 1992 that saw a break from rigged elections.

The Carter Center has stated that Guyana’s current winner-take-all system in which the party (and ethnic group) that wins a plurality of the votes claims all executive and legislative power except in the rare cases of opposition majorities in the National Assembly.

“This exclusionary governance system fuels ethnic insecurity and is a factor in Guyana’s long-running ethnic conflict. While this dynamic has changed somewhat since the Herdmanston reforms and the rise of a successful third political party in 2005, this does not obviate the need for further constitutional reforms,” the organisation said.

carter donald

Former US President, Jimmy Carter, with other observers, with Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and former President Donald Ramotar.

In particular, the Carter Centre called for an overhaul of Guyana’s electoral system to make it more representative and promote cross-ethnic voting instead of having parliamentarians drawn from a list of candidates.

The Centre’s boldest recommendation in its report appears to be one to allow for individual candidates to seek election to the presidency. “The constitutional rules in Guyana limit all candidature for the office of the
presidency and for membership of the National Assembly to those who join party lists.”

The Centre stopped short of saying that being confined to the list system amounts to a violation to Guyana’s constitutional right to freedom of association. “This is an unreasonable limitation on the freedom of
association and on the right to run for election, and consideration should be given to allowing independent candidates.

In addition, in light of the history of ethnic polarization, the Carter Center said Guyana might consider ranked-choice voting for president to place an incentive on candidates to appeal to voters across party and communal lines.

Release of the report with a raft of suggested electoral and constitutional reforms comes at a time when Guyana is about to embark on yet another period of constitutional reform.

Replies sorted oldest to newest

"The Carter Center repeats its longstanding support for fundamental constitutional reform that attenuates the problems with the current winner-take-all system.

The Centre stopped short of saying that being confined to the list system amounts to a violation to Guyana’s constitutional right to freedom of association. “This is an unreasonable limitation on the freedom of
association and on the right to run for election, and consideration should be given to allowing independent candidates.


 

Guyana needs Electoral Reform,the stalling by the political parties doesn't bode well for the nation.

Why no one is petitioning the Courts for Electoral Reform,it seems ok to petition the court for the "Egoist" to again run for President,and it's accepted by some quarters as Democratic.

Django
Django posted:

"The Carter Center repeats its longstanding support for fundamental constitutional reform that attenuates the problems with the current winner-take-all system.

The Centre stopped short of saying that being confined to the list system amounts to a violation to Guyana’s constitutional right to freedom of association. “This is an unreasonable limitation on the freedom of
association and on the right to run for election, and consideration should be given to allowing independent candidates.


 

Guyana needs Electoral Reform,the stalling by the political parties doesn't bode well for the nation.

Why no one is petitioning the Courts for Electoral Reform,it seems ok to petition the court for the "Egoist" to again run for President,and it's accepted by some quarters as Democratic.

Do you know for sure Jagdeo(I assume he is the Egoist you refer to) will be the presidential candidate in 2020? Are you his slop can porter too to know all this? Did you get some inside info on this?

FM
skeldon_man posted:
Django posted:

"The Carter Center repeats its longstanding support for fundamental constitutional reform that attenuates the problems with the current winner-take-all system.

The Centre stopped short of saying that being confined to the list system amounts to a violation to Guyana’s constitutional right to freedom of association. “This is an unreasonable limitation on the freedom of
association and on the right to run for election, and consideration should be given to allowing independent candidates.


 

Guyana needs Electoral Reform,the stalling by the political parties doesn't bode well for the nation.

Why no one is petitioning the Courts for Electoral Reform,it seems ok to petition the court for the "Egoist" to again run for President,and it's accepted by some quarters as Democratic.

Do you know for sure Jagdeo(I assume he is the Egoist you refer to) will be the presidential candidate in 2020? Are you his slop can porter too to know all this? Did you get some inside info on this?

Dem AFC/PNC boys are now fighting to carry Jagdeo's slop can. Look story here.

FM

Slop Can Porter...anadda gem fa Warria book of GNI intelligent quotes.

I am undecided, or should it be Piss Pot Porter ?

Pissin in de wind. Dat's an oldie Django. But one ah me favourite, because me get wet a lot. 

Tola
yuji22 posted:
Django posted:

Both of you should address the Electoral Issue,instead of pissing in the wind.

It is a lot better than you passing wind everyday at GNI.

Passing wind is better than having piss all over your face.

Django
Django posted:
yuji22 posted:
Django posted:

Both of you should address the Electoral Issue,instead of pissing in the wind.

It is a lot better than you passing wind everyday at GNI.

Passing wind is better than having piss all over your face.

How about you carrying PNC Slop Can with shyte all over your face ?

FM
Last edited by Former Member
yuji22 posted:
Django posted:
yuji22 posted:
Django posted:

Both of you should address the Electoral Issue,instead of pissing in the wind.

It is a lot better than you passing wind everyday at GNI.

Passing wind is better than having piss all over your face.

How about you carrying PNC Slop Can with shyte all over your face ?

That the best you can do,

bear in mind i am not an Indo-Centrist Racist.

Django

I am a proud to be Indo and I am speaking out against Blackman racist policies towards Indos in Guyana while you sir are cheering the racist PNC policies of declaring Indos Guilty until proven innocent.

Shame on you !!! Does it not bother you to carry the PNC Slop Can with Shyte all over your face ?

 

FM
yuji22 posted:

I am a proud to be Indo and I am speaking out against Blackman racist policies towards Indos in Guyana while you sir are cheering the racist PNC policies of declaring Indos Guilty until proven innocent.

Shame on you !!! Does it not bother you to carry the PNC Slop Can with Shyte all over your face ?

 

You are a fool where did i said they are Guilty??

The rest of your post is mediocre which comes for a kindergartner.

Flashing ones Ethnicity doesn't not make you better than any other Ethnicities.

Django
Last edited by Django
yuji22 posted:

I am a proud to be Indo and I am speaking out against Blackman racist policies towards Indos in Guyana while you sir are cheering the racist PNC policies of declaring Indos Guilty until proven innocent.

Shame on you !!! Does it not bother you to carry the PNC Slop Can with Shyte all over your face ?

 

It must really still be a shock to you that you can no longer scream "ahbe pan tap, black man time DONE".

The PPP lost because black and mixed voters showed up in record numbers. Maybe this should teach you that if the PPP behaves like the "coolie people party" they cannot expect large numbers of non Indians to support them.

FM
Django posted:

"The Carter Center repeats its longstanding support for fundamental constitutional reform that attenuates the problems with the current winner-take-all system.

The Centre stopped short of saying that being confined to the list system amounts to a violation to Guyana’s constitutional right to freedom of association. “This is an unreasonable limitation on the freedom of
association and on the right to run for election, and consideration should be given to allowing independent candidates.


 

Guyana needs Electoral Reform,the stalling by the political parties doesn't bode well for the nation.

Why no one is petitioning the Courts for Electoral Reform,it seems ok to petition the court for the "Egoist" to again run for President,and it's accepted by some quarters as Democratic.

The truth is, only those not in government in Guyana talk about Constitutional reform. Those in the government, whether it was the PPP or now the Coalition don't lose sleep over it and Trotman didn't even comment on that above. He focused only on the future windfall of oil revenue. While I will never support the PNC, I am on record right here on GNI calling for a representative government similar to what we have here in the US even before the 2011 elections.

FM
caribny posted:

The PPP lost because black and mixed voters showed up in record numbers. Maybe this should teach you that if the PPP behaves like the "coolie people party" they cannot expect large numbers of non Indians to support them.

I share the same view,Jagdeo is tainted and are not much liked by the Afro's,he should haven't been the leader of the PPP,if that's the PPP democratic way of choosing their leader,the members need some soul searching.

The PNC that's a different kettle of fish,some of it's members can be brutal, being in power again,i have this feeling they are out to crush the PPP,if that is their motive democracy will not prevail in Guyana and the people will have to bear the brunt.

Some folks on GNI thinks i am PNC,well they are surely wrong,my support for the coalition government was the change from one party rule,i detest one party rule and the winner takes all electoral system in Guyana,in my view it's not a true form of Democracy.

Django
Last edited by Django
Django posted:
caribny posted:

 

 

Some folks on GNI thinks i am PNC,well they are surely wrong,my support for the coalition government was the change from one party rule,i detest one party rule and the winner takes all electoral system in Guyana,in my view it's not a true form of Democracy.

Django

Please permit me to respond to your post objectively and please reply in an objective manner.

The PPP was NOT a one party rule. A One party rule is what we saw under dictators Hoyte and Burnham. In fact, Hoyte was a bigger rigger Dictator than Burhnam. If you say that the PPP become arrogant, then we can have some agreements along those lines.

All elections under the PPP were free and fair AND CERTIFIED by the Carter Centre, OAS and teams under the International Teams of observers.

Perhaps you meant to say that a single party governing for a long period of time is not healthy for democracy and if that is want you meant then I agree with you. It is up to the people to make that choice and no one should interfere with the democratic process of Free and Fair Elections.

The biggest fear is that Granger wants to or is indicating that he wants to rig and we must all be vigilant in not allowing him to destroy democracy in Guyana which many of us fought for free and fair elections after 28 Years of PNC dictatorship. In the end, Guyanese must choose a government of their choice. America and India are democracies where elections are free and fair. 

Yes, winner takes all is not healthy for democracy. Granger said prior to the election that APNU will not be winner take all party. Well, he lied because the PNC took it all with the entire treasury and have set up organizations like SOCU etc which appears to be targeting one group of people. They are living the BMW lifestyle in a Donkey Cart economy.

Granger is demonstrating all of the signs of a dictator in the making including interference in the Judicial system by endorsing the actions of Basil and refusing to accept a GECOM nominee which is a requirement of the Constitution of Guyana, he need to respect the Constitution and is not Above it.

No matter how we view it, True Democracy is the will of the people expressed through the ballot with Free and Fair elections. Guyanese are now smarter and will use the ballot to teach political parties a lesson provided the electoral process is free and fair. 

Yuji22

 

FM
Last edited by Former Member
yuji22 posted:
 

All elections under the PPP were free and fair AND CERTIFIED by the Carter Centre, OAS and teams under the International Teams of observers.

 

 

And they also say that the election in 2015 was also free and fair, but you scream that it was rigged.  Learn to accept the fact that in May 2015 most Guyanese decided that the time for PPP rule had ended.

BTW they also said that the 1992 election was free and fair, so cease your anti Hoyte nonsense. Thanks to him Jagan couldn't install his Castro brand of communism.

FM

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