The ruling PPP yesterday informed that it has held no discussions on the restoration of overseas voting, following strong criticism by the main opposition PNCR, which has dismissed the issue as a distraction.
In a statement, the ruling party noted that an article on the restoration of the overseas vote, authored by PPP Central Committee member and Speaker of the National Assembly Ralph Ramkarran in his weekly column in the Weekend Mirror, has attracted attention in the media. “Some opposition forces have even jumped at the opportunity to attack the PPP and the government imputing all kinds of intentions,” the statement said, adding, “The PPP wishes to make it clear that this issue was not discussed by the party. The matter was not raised at any forum. The PPP has therefore taken no decision on this issue.”
The PPP also noted that the article is an opinion of the author “who was not expressing the views of the Party and he himself has made that clear.”
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.”
In response, the PNCR later said 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. 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.
In a letter on the issue, Ramkarran has emphasised that he did not speak for the PPP, saying he doubted whether the party would be happy with a return to overseas voting. “It has certainly never been discussed,” he said, while maintaining that it is an issue for the Guyana Elections Commission, which would be violating the Constitution if it makes no provision for the registration and voting of Guyanese living overseas. “The right of Guyanese resident overseas to register and vote is not a matter of my advocacy or desire.
“I am not arguing for it. This right is provided for in the Constitution. This being so the PNCR and others must then consider whether the voters’ list which is the product of a law, the National Registration Act, which limits registration to residents, is valid. If it is not, it cannot be the basis for free and fair elections,” he noted.
Further, Ramkarran also explained that he had raised the issue ten years ago in the Elections Commission, when PNCR Leader Robert Corbin was a member. “The Elec-tions Commission was then wrongly advised that the Constitution does not allow persons residing out of Guyana to vote. I objected to that advice but was outvoted,” he said, adding that his interest in the subject was revived when he read the views of Dr Manmohan Singh, the Indian Prime Minister, to the effect that the Indian government was passing legislation to implement overseas voting.
