Dear Editor,
Here we are again, at that point in time when a part of Guyana’s history is about to be written. I have read, in earnest, the numerous letters and editorials about what is expected to happen during the electoral process. I am apprehensive as to what the election results would reveal, and cannot predict who will be the victor even if I carried out an in-depth poll, because in Guyana, many people are apt to keep the political ‘truths’ close to the vest. Also, empirical evidence has shown that polls could be misleading because pollsters are opinion jugglers, with opinion susceptible to change.
Many who are purporting to be for one party or the other, could on the day of decision, decide not to vote without thinking about the ramifications of their actions. They may not give thought to the fact that others may be arriving at the same conclusion of not participating in the elections because of apathy and the feeling that whether they vote or not, things will remain the same. This abstention could increase the possibility that the political doctrines they object to, will continue with more vigour, and reinforce the perception that those who implemented the inept policies have been given a carte-blanche to continue for the next five years. Voting provides the opportunity to make changes to the political structure peacefully.
In other places people have lost their lives and are continuing to lose their lives for the right to make that decision to vote. So electors should go out and vote even if their views do not parallel mine as to who is worthy of a vote.
If the people in Guyana are content to have the PPP as their decision-maker, and are masking their discontent, then they will continue to lend blind support to the ruling party. If, on the other hand, they are truly fed up with the supercilious position exhibited by the ruling PPP, they will look for another political alternative and jettison the incumbent government. This action should be taken against any political entity that reneges on a promise to introduce positive change for the common good.
There is a saying that a people get the government they deserve. That truism does not apply if later it is discovered that their vote was wasted because the recipient has deviated from past promises. Consequently, a careful analysis of the party’s past performance should help in arriving at an informed decision about which party one should support. The Caribbean perception of Guyana is that the voting is predicated on race. Even though that perception may have a modicum of truth, voting based on principle and not group mentality would be a sign of political maturation.
The important aspects of the coming elections are that voting is carried out peacefully and the results are respected by all.
Yours faithfully,
Patrick Barker
