If one has the ability and will to be objective, to learn from negatives and positives, and to be fair in applying experiences for a better future, there is so much to take away from Monday’s polling and the aftermath, up to yesterday.
Here are a few of my “lessons” – both expected, and new revelations.
On the turnout:
Not being able to delay this piece anymore, I could not quote GECOM’s final figures. I’d wager though, that the percentage turnout of voters (of the 475,000 registered) would be a record compared to previous elections.
To me, it was both instructive and heart-warming to learn that in some predominantly Afro-Guyanese villages drumming and ringing of bells awakened and summoned eligible young and old to the (fo-day morning) polls! Oh, so many learnt of the effectiveness of traditional, folk mobilisation!
But this too I’ll observe: even as formerly apathetic, indifferent young Afro-Guyanese were enthused to vote this time, that is exactly where the PPP/C also succeeded, though it could be argued that they suffered from the migration of voters. But the youth voters fuelled the 2011 overall turnout.
From the media and bias:
I heard outgoing President Jagdeo actually commend the local media for their relatively responsible work between Polling Day and Thursday. The Commonwealth Observer team noted some robust pro-PPP/C bias from the state-controlled media.
I also learnt just how destructive the new electronic, viral media could be. Internet bloggers and cell phone users utilized text messaging to communicate inciteful messages and mis-information especially on Wednesday. I also witnessed self-interest bias in some nightly newscasts, favouring one party or the other.
Irregularities?
My own lessons here were, more or less, revisionary, though a few claims made were either unique and creative – or incendiary!
One party, perhaps sensing defeat, chronicled a dossier of alleged irregularities, no doubt with a view to legal challenges in the weeks to come, (I read a legal challenge some years ago managed to get a whole election vitiated! Possible this time around?) Ballot box seals were found even though boxes were intact. But there was evidence of legitimate on time voters being issued tendered/useless ballots. GECOM dismissed errant staff immediately but one party called for recounts after allegedly discovering supporters’ ballots were not properly stamped.
My lessons here had to do with the new definitions of rigging (alleged or attempted) before and on Polling Day. Oh how some have caused the pendulum of this phenomenon to be swung. Full circle! But did any actual irregularities influence final results? Discuss.
On GECOM and
its chairman:
Others better qualified will pass their judgments on our Elections Commission. Since the 1980 General Election, I’ve had reason to study successive commissions and their chairpersons. I’ll reserve my conclusions about this one as I digest the Observer Missions’ critiques.
But I still urge Guyanese, even at this post-election stage, to consider who constitutes this commission. And you–all might be somewhat surprised at the background, quality and orientation of its staff!
Oh but I learnt so much more about Chairman Surujbally. To me, Frankly Speaking, this erudite, assertive, fiercely-proud gentleman has invested himself with a mission (or two): to raise his GECOM and staff to a level fit for ISO standards still worthy of emulation and to secure his place in our electoral political history.
Sometimes his style bordered on the dismissive and the imperious, whilst being fiercely loyal to his staff He made sure the public knew that the parties know of the roles and procedures – from Presiding Officer and Statement of Poll to his tabulatory IT section. Try as they would, it might be tough for the disaffected parties to successfully indict this chairman.
On rallies and expectations
The rallies in village, town or region do not always indicate support from that location, as the parties ferry in country-wide attendees. But, oh my, the uninformed, the misled, the enthusiastic – whether old or especially, first time voters – get their hopes up from massive numbers around them on one night
Also, these expectations cannot be reasonable, justifiable or (often) fulfilled. And some leaders know that before hand!
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Congrats GT&T!
The elections pervaded. There was no jingle, just song(s). But I must add my bit of supreme congratulations to the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) for the staging of this year’s Jingle and Song competition – What great singing talent was unearthed!
I appeal: preserve a directory of all contestants; they are all winners to benefit from future training and promotion. Like the Oscar Nominations, they must be proud to describe themselves as “GT&T Song Finalists”.
And the television production of the final. Superb! Great stuff amidst our too-frequent mediocrity. That’s why GT&T should now get back some text-messaging income.
Ponder well…
.1) How do parties thank their supporters after elections nowadays? So sensitive the times and persons now, no victory rallies, I guess.
.2) Despite the “cross-overs”, vote-for-your-own, tribal voting seems alive and well.
.3) The Jamaicans are debating whether their politicians should know to speak proper English!
.4) Would you believe that on Wednesday morning a caller/texter to a TV show decided that we had no president? Just a powerful Commissioner of Police? Naughty!
.5) I’ve made up my mind about a smooth-talking academic/politician – now – re-incarnated.
.6) I know that Mr Nascimento has disowned this version of the TUF, so who really voted for this “party”?
.7) I was caught by surprise when they sprung young Bharrat Jagdeo upon me as President.
Now I have to unravel David Granger as a new political leader. Discuss.
Peace, ’til next week!
