Dear Editor,
In order for Guyana to maximize its true potential, it is necessary to securely engage all its citizens, wherever they reside, within, and outside the borders of Guyana. If we choose who should vote and who should not, by virtue of the fact that their geographical location is not within the boundaries of Guyana, then we are disenfranchising more than half of the population. Besides, by opposing this issue, we are telling ourselves that we do not trust ourselves, so we must cut off our right arm. We must not change the constitution of Guyana. Guyanese, no matter where they live, have the constitutional right to exercise the right to vote.

I have never stopped being Guyanese and never will. I am sure this goes for a majority of the Guyanese diaspora. We must bring back the overseas vote. We, the overseas Guyanese, have much to offer besides our remittances.

Yours faithfully,
Joseph G D’Oliveira
Honorary Consul of Guyana
(retired)
Los Angeles, California