At the sixth Local Government Town Hall-style meeting under a US democracy project, residents of Parika and neighbouring communities were told of their right to vote for a party that will help in the development of their community
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID’s) Leadership and Demo-cracy Programme (LEAD) which is being implemented by the International Republican Institute (IRI) convened a meeting yesterday at the Parika-Salem Secondary School.
Glen Bradbury, Chief of Party of LEAD, who facilitated the session told those in attendance that it is their right to attend the campaigns of other parties and find out what they have to offer.
He said they do not have to vote for who their grandfather voted for, asking, “If your grandfather jumped off the cliff, would you jump off the cliff?”
During the power-point presentation, Bradbury highlighted the importance of voting at Local Government Elections, as well as the rights and responsibilities of voters, their eligibility requirements and the electoral laws.
He told the participants, “You don’t work for the government, the government works for you” as taxpayers.
The meeting is aimed at providing information to the general public on Local Government and voter education on how Local Government elections will be conducted, when they are called.
Also present was a representative from the Guyana Elections Com-mission (GECOM) who elaborated on the points raised and also answered the “technical questions…”
So far meetings have been held in New Amsterdam, Rose Hall, Rosignol, Georgetown and Linden while another is scheduled for December 6 in Bartica.
Following a break for the Christmas season, the meetings will continue next year.
Owning to the inclement weather, the turnout was not great but those present paid keen attention to the information.
The LEAD project was the subject of great controversy here between the Guyana and the US governments. A deal was later hammered out.
