Cheddi (Joey) Jagan (Jr), who was a candidate for the PPP/C at the 2011 general elections, has called on the government to convene local government elections before the end of the year.
In a letter in yesterday’s Stabroek News, Jagan said “Local elections in one year was the promise made to me personally by the President (Donald Ramotar) when he enlisted my support in the last 2011 elections and as a candidate on the PPP/Civic list, I am pleading with that party to hold local elections before
this year is over.”
He said that the threat of a no-confidence vote and general elections is no excuse for delaying local elections.
“The PPP leadership should remember that President Cheddi always wrote about and demanded local elections and it was he who made sure these elections were held after three years of his tenure as President. If they really believe in President Cheddi as the founder-leader, then those in the PPP would immediately hold these most important elections which are really the bedrock of all democratic institutions.
It is really very simple for the Guyanese nation to understand: governments which do not hold local elections are a threat to the very security of our democratic traditions , including our constitution and our very freedom which so many struggled for over the years”, Jagan declared.
His is the latest voice calling on the PPP/C to hold local government elections.
Despite a manifesto promise that it would hold local government elections within a year of general elections, the PPP/C government has offered a variety of excuses why elections can’t be held at this point. Critics say the party is unwilling to face these polls for fear of a poor showing.
