Dear Editor,
It is known that control of executive power fosters power-related pathologies. Owing to this, the continued existence of the list system, remains a major barrier to national development, regardless of which party controls the presidency. While it would benefit Guyana to adopt constituency representation, though, we must not allow the long delay of such reforms to stand in the way of local government elections (LGE).
The ruling regime wants us to believe that calls for constitutional reform and legally required LGE, are limited to opposition supporters. This is simply untrue. Also, there are many who may not support opposition parties but are disillusioned with the PPP/C. Moreover, LGE will benefit all citizens, regardless of political affiliation, race or geographical location.
For example: piracy. The victims of this brutal and now common crime, are almost all Indo-Guyanese. Hard-working fishermen are tossed overboard on the high seas, after being terrorised, beaten, tortured and robbed. Many do not survive. And their children must grow up fatherless as the new widows struggle to make ends meet.
We have seen sugar workers protest their working conditions. Rice farmers have also taken to the streets to voice their frustrations with governmental neglect. Editor, most of these victims are our Indo-Guyanese brothers and sisters. Observing these events, one ponders the often lethal injustice against Guyanese of all races, without the local representation their taxes are supposed to finance. Who are their MPs? What are those MPs doing to help the constituents they are paid to represent?
Apart from the absence of effective local representation, Guyanese – particularly in rural areas – are very aware of another terrible effect of no LGE for nearly twenty years. We know what happens when one leader remains in office for too long; self-interest and personal enrichment become the clear order of the day. We have seen several local representatives become extremely wealthy. We have seen these friends of the ruling elite open car washes, rum shops, factories and sawmills. Some of these businesses operate late into the night. Of course, the poor residents’
complaints about the resulting noise and pollution are ignored. The PPP/C’s flouting of the law by refusing to hold LGE is therefore hurting all Guyanese, including the PPP/C’s traditional supporters.
Politicians should therefore be clear and direct in calling for constitutional reform. Opposition parties should present specific proposals to remove the list system. Otherwise, opposition leaders risk being seen as yet another set of politicians seeking power, while not caring for anyone but themselves. Opposition politicians must support strong democratic institutions and the decentralization of power. And they must act accordingly.
Many Guyanese would be encouraged by specific commitments, by APNU and the AFC, to reduce the power of the executive branch of government.
While details are being worked out, opposition parties must continue to insist on LGE. We should fix our priorities. Local government elections should come first; they are almost two decades late.
Yours faithfully,
Mark DaCosta
Tarron Khemraj
Terrence Simon
