Dear Editor,
Effective representation is the only solution to Guyana’s problems! This is a principle that all Guyanese need to recognize and assert if we are to realize our motto of “One People, One Nation, One Destiny.”
The very foundation on which we are to build this nation is flawed. Our constitution as it is written is stifling the operationalization of effective representation. We need to decouple individuals from their political parties in the election process. The first proposal I have for bringing about a more representative government for this country is to change our presidential election apparatus from being party focused to being individual focused. I contend that it is only when this happens that Guyanese will start to look beyond parties and ethnicity and toward the individual’s ability to lead and his/her proposed policies for advancing this nation. If an individual can acquire at least one thousand legitimate signatures in support of his/her candidacy then that individual should be allowed to contest the presidential elections. The size of our population will easily allow for such a system to function effectively.
Secondly, our parliamentary elections should be completely separated from the presidential elections. Further, parliamentary elections must be strictly based on constituencies whereby individuals will seek the support of their geographical constituents to become their representative in parliament. We need to forget about the existing system that allows the party elite to select who should be placed on their list of candidates and who will represent which constituency. The people need to know their representatives and they need to know that they can access them as needed. And if they do not perform in Parliament the constituents can easily replace them at the next round of elections.
This is the only route to effective representation! It is only then that we will have a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
Yours faithfully,
Jeremy Gravesande
