Skip to main content

October 11 ,2020

Source

Dear Editor,

Recent events have demonstrated clearly the state of distress that characterizes our politics and governance institutions. But these events, though a dramatic and public display of political dysfunction, are not isolated. Rather, they draw attention to the history of political distress in Guyana that is chronic. They are just the latest episode in a state of permanent underlying disorder going back as far as the 1950s, and marked by major upheavals in almost every decade since the 1960s.

As citizens of this country we cannot be comfortable with this state of affairs. It is undoubtedly a major factor in the poor performance that has placed this country on the bottom rungs of the development ladder in spite of its well-recognized economic potential. It will continue to rob citizens of their due benefits and rewards of their labours, never mind the much vaunted oil wealth on the horizon. It is therefore imperative that Guyanese people find an electoral formula that fosters unity and cooperation if we are to experience a genuine change in national fortunes.

Recognizing the problem, local and foreign commentators, election observers and others familiar with political conditions in this country have recommended and urged constitutional and electoral reform for decades. If there’s a silver lining in the political crisis following the March 2 General and Regional Elections, it is growth of a momentum of agreement across sections of the population in favour of constitutional and electoral reform. There is the widespread hope that electoral reform will be accomplished before the next election, by 2024, to avoid a recurrence of this year’s crisis. It is important for leaders in this nation to seize the opportunity of this rare moment of near unanimity to do what is necessary to realize a genuine vision of reform.

The agenda for institutional reform in Guyana is huge. The nation needs to strengthen its public service management, law and order institutions, the regulatory framework for natural resource industries including oil, environmental management,

education, health, and local governance systems, to name a few areas. There are also calls for constitutional reform to address imbalances in the power of the executive relative to other branches of the system of governance, and for measures to curb corruption.

However, while other areas of institutional strengthening cannot be ignored, electoral reform is first priority for intervention. The nation needs to establish a platform of political stability, a system characterized by inclusivity, that seeks to eliminate winner-take-all, zero-sum politics, and provides stronger accountability and more meaningful relations and responsibility between elected representatives and the citizens they represent. It is also abundantly clear that GECOM needs to be revamped to make it function effectively as an anchor for the electoral process and deliver free and fair elections acceptable to winners and losers.

We recognize that electoral reform is not new to Guyana. Guyana has had episodes of electoral reform from as far back as the 1950s, and there have been significant changes since the 1990s. But, admittedly, efforts have been piecemeal, and the measures have had limited impact in changing political conditions for the better.

As Guyanese citizens concerned about the future of our country, we welcome recent statements by the President and Opposition Leader indicating their commitment to constitutional and electoral reform in Guyana as an immediate priority. We urge that current efforts must be ambitious and substantive. To make a difference, it is imperative that civil society must play a central role in the negotiation and design of a reformed electoral system and Commission. Civil society must not be an afterthought. All around the world, the importance of a strong involvement of citizen-based entities in the reform process is recognized. Ultimately, political stability matters most to citizens, and their involvement is necessary to lend substance and credibility to the process, and strengthen the chances of success.

Yours faithfully,

Sara Bharrat – Youth Leader and Political Commentator

Alfred Bhulai – Physical Scientist and Engineer

Kerry Anne Kansinally – Human Rights Activist

Rene Edwards – Citizen

Rory Fraser – Educator and Policy Analyst

Lawrence Lachmansingh – Peace and Democracy Advocate

Desmond Thomas – Economist and Author

Meaningful Civil Engagement in Electoral Reform is an Imperative

Replies sorted oldest to newest

The PPP/C will be deciding who plays a roll in reforming the electoral system. They cannot put criminals from the PNC who tried to steal and rigged the election.  They didn't call for an electoral reform when the PNC was rigging all the elections.  No matter what system they come up with the PPP will win. The PPP has enough members in their party from the Civil Society including the Prime Minister.

R
@Ramakant-P posted:

The PPP/C will be deciding who plays a roll in reforming the electoral system.

Isn't a national issue ?

The statement appears to be Dictatorial ,the same was plastered on the PNC under Burnham and Hoyte. There was changes under Hoyte which was to be revisited,the PPP never bothered to get more meaningful changes,the party embraced the power given by Burnham Constitution.

Django
Last edited by Django
@Ramakant-P posted:
  No matter what system they come up with the PPP will win. The PPP has enough members in their party from the Civil Society including the Prime Minister.

The PPP didn't win the 2020 Elections FAIRLY ,there was Electoral Fraud disclosed by the re-count.

Django

Police to question PNC’s Volda Lawrence on Monday over electoral fraud

…APNU/AFC misrepresents, sensationalises Police request

Mingo’s declaration, which was subsequently set aside by Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George, was signed by him and Lawrence – the lone representative from the political parties that contested the elections. The other parties had objected to the declaration after the verification process was not fully complied with by the Returning Officer.

It was subsequently unearthed during the National Recount exercise that Mingo had heavily inflated the figures to give the then APNU/AFC incumbent a lead at the polls.

However, the recount exercise showed that the PPP/C won the elections with 233,336 votes, while the coalition secured 217,920 votes – a difference of some 15,416 votes.

As such, Mingo was charged by the police and arraigned last month on four counts of misconduct in public office. He is currently on $600,000 bail.

In addition, he is also facing the private criminal charge jointly with Lawrence, for which he is currently out on self-bail.

Source & rest of article - https://guyanatimesgy.com/poli...ver-electoral-fraud/

FM
@Django posted:

The PPP didn't win the 2020 Elections FAIRLY ,there was Electoral Fraud disclosed by the re-count.

That's what you think.   Lwenfield finally gave them the win.  Mingo tried to steal the election. Is that OK with you?

R
@Ramakant-P posted:

That's what you think.   Lwenfield finally gave them the win.  Mingo tried to steal the election. Is that OK with you?

Lowenfield declaration states the results aren't the will of the people . I had spoken out on Mingo clumsy action .Most are forgetting the FRAUD revealed by the recount.

Django
Last edited by Django
@Django posted:

Lowenfield declaration states the results aren't the will of the people . I had spoken out on Mingo clumsy action .Most are forgetting the FRAUD revealed by the recount.

Perhaps, it's short-term memory loss. It's a normal part of getting older for many people. It could be a sign of a deeper problem, such as dementia.

Mitwah

Add Reply

×
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×