The party was responding to a column by PPP Central Committee member and Speaker of the National Assembly Ralph Ramkarran, who urged the restoration of the vote, saying that the denial of the right of Guyanese resident overseas is in violation of the Constitution.
In his column in last weekend’s Mirror newspaper, Ramkarran wrote that the issue was not debatable and that the Elections Commission has “ample time and opportunity” to set in place the procedures to register the names of Guyanese desirous of exercising their right to vote and of providing a system to enable them to access ballot papers and cast their ballots.
“It is amazing that the PPP, and particularly Mr. Ramkarran, which fought so resolutely locally and internationally for the removal of the overseas vote should entertain thoughts of its re-introduction,” the PNCR said yesterday in its weekly press statement. “Guyanese should not be surprised, however, at this volte face.”
The opposition party further added that it would not be enticed into a debate on “this latest attempt to divert us from the pressing issues of the day,” comparing the issue to “the sterile debate on the possibility of a third term for President [Bharrat] Jagdeo.”
In his column, Ramkarran said:
“The Guyana Constitution provides that every Guyanese over the age of 18 has a right to vote. It provides for no residency requirement. Thus, whether a Guyanese resides in the USA, UK, Canada, Suriname, French Guiana, Barbados, Antigua or elsewhere, he or she is entitled to vote.”
While he noted that overseas voting was “a major device for the rigging of elections,” he said the fact is Guyanese residing abroad have a right to vote under the Constitution. He recalled that while there was a powerful struggle led by the PPP from 1968 onwards to “abolish” the overseas vote, no call was made for its constitutional abolition. “The argument centred on the rigging of the overseas vote and dismantlement of the entire structure,” he says, “During this period the constitutional right was never raised or challenged.”
