Just In Case They Lose
Bear with me and come ramble with me through these thoughts. Because I’ve long chosen to withdraw myself from the more active, even passionate, participation in our elections, due in nine/ten days, it is somewhat challenging to become enthusiastic about all the goings-on amidst the “Electorate” and others.
There are right now, naturally, the dozens of commentaries, analyses and editorials all around us. What more, what new is there to add? I leave the passion and the profundity to others. I now merely record a few observations and opinions garnered from active, intimate (political, electoral) experience of by-gone elections (1980-1992.)
Elections…
What’s new to write? Nothing really. One can merely reiterate that periodic, consistent elections by eligible citizens are still a hallmark of the democracy which modern societies like to boast that they have. Frankly Speaking, although I myself can still appreciate and relate to robust campaigning, whereby a smaller group of persons try to convince a mass of others that they are suited to represent the larger interest, my cynical demeanour, my past involvement and current understandings persuade me that elections are now too often about persons accessing political power and governmental authority to have dominion over a populace for extended periods.
There are few candidates around in whom one can truly trust or believe. You voters are often settling for the best of the bad lot. Lord! Just listen to the defectors and their old and new leaders! Oh well, if not elections then what? What’s the alternative? Discuss…
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Our GECOM…
GECOM – our present Guyana Elections Commission (which should have been subject to re-constitution after one Election) is tasked with the planning, management and conduct of the elections we experience. Who’s fooling whom?
We know the influences and impediments which that Commission and its own staff must endure, notwithstanding the most erudite – or scathing – declarations from its articulate Chairman: government’s release of funding; the contesting Parties’ non-co-operation and demands; Constitutional responsibilities shirked or diminished, etc.
Funding, reportedly, was too late to launch an earlier public education programme. So now voters without national I.D. cards are told that there actually is provision for them to vote as long as their names are on the Official Electors/Voters List.
And tell me: do you really think that Sidney the Stevedore, Charran the Cane-Cutter, or nineteen-year old Nancy really knows how their votes will be calculated to determine top-up seats, quotas or geographical seats allocations? Nah! If their respective Parties don’t explain all that, they just take what they get. I say however, in ignorance lies the potential for (exploited) dissent.
I sincerely hope for these things: (1) that GECOM already has enough lamps, lead pencils, generators, ballot papers and full staff; (2) that GECOM is in charge enough so no instances of electoral rigging can be levelled. GECOM’s staff is there to prevent all such attempts is that not so? Well tell me three ways in which some Party can outsmart GECOM! (3) That all GECOM staff, however young, can prevail with their lawful instructions as against any government official, any ex-army type, even any intrusive observer.
Polling Day is to be shared by the voters and GECOM, Right? Let’s hope that GECOM’s Doc will be in a position to declare that “he” managed a fair, incident-free, GECOM Election once again.
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Government …
This administration has a little over one week to govern as presently constituted.
Frankly Speaking Guyana does not have electoral laws and constitutional constraints – as in Trinidad and Tobago and India, for example – to prevent the incumbent government fuelling its own Party’s interests and campaign. Fairplay remains in the imagination, until some other government agrees to reforms.
By the way government, there is still time to ask the Brazilians and Venezuelans to loan us two helicopters to complement our small aircraft for duties on Polling Day.
And government, please convince the Security Forces to be fair and firm to all between November 28 and December 05 next. Thank you.
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Christmas…
The letter–writer’s lamentations caught my attention. Leon was upset that the Campaigns have supplanted the joy of the Christmas Season, with rhetoric and vitriol where there should be peace, goodwill and gifts.
I share that concern but only minimally. Reason? I never liked the over–early start–up to Christmas – the September/October commercialisation of the Birth of the Christ Child. I always wanted to settle for say, a November 15 to January 02 season.
(Baby Jesus cares little about Sales, Promotions and Parties in His Name). Seems like I’ve gotten my wish this year. With or without this government’s final back pay!
Pondering this Season…
I welcome all the promises of the opposition parties about increased Old–Age Pensions, Salaries, Mort-gage Loans, State Development Bank Assistance. You–all vote for them, for me.
What Reasons Do – or Would the Parties Give When and If They lose? Write down five Reasons and Likely Behaviours `Til I return next Friday.
Recall me writing about Winston Felix’s Electoral Presence? Look for “more” during the coming week.
Great support Enrico! Your Capitol News community concern Series.
I still stand by their right to change their minds and Parties – but name four defectors with dignity, integrity – and a sincere desire to serve Guyana only.
Coming next week – Judging the GT&T Song Competition Judges.
Til next week!
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