Dear Editor,
People do not pick a right, equally as they do not negotiate a right. As such it is not for President Ramotar, or any elected leader for that matter, to say to us we must exercise a choice. The Guyana Constitution is very clear about when national and regional elections are scheduled (every five years) and when local government elections are scheduled (every three years). The constitution also stipulates the extenuating circumstances and when either election can be called, within or outside of the scheduled timeframe. The Representation of the People Act outlines the procedures to manage and execute these elections.
Those, including the president, seeking to misguide the people of this nation to think they have extra-constitutional authority, or their actions are consistent with the constitution, must not be allowed to continue this practice. While members of parliament, moreso the political opposition could have exercised greater vigilance, and partner with the diplomatic community, civil society and the people, in ensuring the August 1 extension for calling local government elections was honoured, we are here today and must address this issue.
One can debate the merit or demerit in the strategy of calling for local government elections when a confidence motion is before the National Assembly and up for attention when it reconvenes. What must not be up for debate is our right, and we should not believe that we are in a position where we must choose one over the other. It is not a function of the constitution that local government elections have not be held for almost two decades. It is the dysfunction of those we have placed in positions of authority to manage our day-to-day affairs.
One of the hazards of democracy is that it will throw up leaders ill-equipped and ill-informed to do the job. What often passes as political arrogance in this society is merely a function of ignorance of governance, the system of government we have and how these ought to work in the interest of the people. No elected leader, including the president, has any authority under the constitution to dictate to the people, or engage in political immaturity. A representative system of government, which ours is, would advise that leaders articulate and represent the interests of the people consistent with the frameworks, ie, laws and procedures, established to guide their deliberation, representation and execution.
President Donald Ramotar and Leader of the Opposition David Granger have offered themselves to the electorate for leadership and are elected to office consistent with the constitution and Representation of the People Act. As the nation’s two premier political leaders they are duty bound to this society to operate consistent with these instruments and we must hold them accountable. There must be no choice given for general elections or local government elections. The constitution and Representation of the People Act stipulate how and when these can be conducted and we must be guided accordingly.
This country is going through dangerous times and the people are called on to be ever so engaged and vigilant in looking out for their interests. We are witnessing a period when those who hold the reins of office obviously don’t know what they are about. This situation is going from bad to worse. The power vested in the politicians belongs to the people and we must ensure they use it wisely and to our collective benefit.
Yours faithfully,
Lincoln Lewis
