Dear Editor,
Since the act of prorogation, ‘democracy’ in Guyana now means government by the PPP and not government of the people and by the people. A long prorogation essentially means that we have a one-party government, a transformed democratically elected dictatorship under President Donald Ramotar who has taken Guyana a step further than Bharrat Jagdeo in this inculcated tyrannical conduct.
There should be growing concern about the PPP being allowed to drive the narrative that informs the way society sees and reacts to the prorogation, which has thus far proven this nation’s undoing. The fact that major players are regurgitating and acting in accordance, ignoring the institutions of state outlining how the nation’s business ought to be conducted, is even more worrying.
It should be recalled the President invoked prorogation on November 10, 2014 in an effort to avoid the executive being held to account by the legislature, the nation’s supreme democratic organ. Rather than see the President being held to account for the misapplication of the prorogation clause, some lay blame on the constitution and engaged in jumbie politics.
A nation became divided over a straightforward issue that requires holding the PPP to account. By failing to do so, the PPP has been aided in silencing the people’s voice through their elected representatives, under the pretext that it’s operating within the constitution that has now become more despised.
The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) is consistent and persistent in condemning the misapplication of prorogation, calling for it to be lifted and the parliament to reconvene. Others also made a similar call. This call is competing with the regurgitation of elections based on the President’s offer. The international community has also weighed in on the two positions, with the exception of Caricom which intimated satisfaction with the repressive situation that violates the spirit and intent of the constitution and Commonwealth Charter.
Reacting to growing condemnation of his repressive conduct the President wrote David Granger, Leader of the Opposition, on November 18, 2014 inviting the opposition to dialogue. The Leader of the Opposition formally replied to the President on December 2, 2014 stating that the APNU will have no engagement while the parliament is closed. The President on December 6, 2014 informed the nation that he will announce a date for elections in the New Year.
In response to the offer of elections, some, rather than hold the President accountable for lifting the prorogation, began running around like headless chickens shouting ‘elections, elections, elections.’ And this act of not stridently challenging the prorogation emboldened Mr Ramotar to continue the constitutional violation and raping the will of the people. On January 20 the President announced General and Regional Elections for May 11. It is an announcement that is welcomed by our political leaders even as the President continues the act of prorogation that is denying elected representatives the opportunity to represent the interest of the people. This continues to be the issue, but a blind eye is turned to it and this violation is again sacrificed at the altar of euphoria for elections.
Before the nation can go to elections the parliament has to be dissolved. As it stands now the parliament remains prorogued. These constitutional requirements are ignored by our lawmakers. And as it is recognised that on May 11 our children will be writing the CXC examinations and using the schools which are traditional polling stations, it is yet again to be acknowledged the PPP has once again deceived.
It is inconceivable the President decided on the date without the knowledge of his cabinet and being advised by his Minister of Education that this will clash with the students’ examinations. What is coming across here, is that in reaction to mounting pressure to lift the prorogation and reconvene parliament or call elections, the PPP felt compelled to formulate another deception.
Politics continue to be a zero sum game as our elected representatives keep talking past each other rather than talking with each other. Striving for a consensus underpinned by universal principles, has continued to elude the 10th Parliament in as much as lessons could have been learnt from Forbes Burnham and Cheddi Jagan, who were able to get things done together that benefited both the country and their constituents.
The people, once again, are being taken for granted. The political stampede, if not checked to pave way for sound reasoning and respect for institutions, will inflict irreparable harm on this nation. Lawless-ness and ruthlessness will become the order of the day. The PPP continues to succeed in violating our laws and running roughshod over the people with the implicit support of unlikely forces. This continuing facilitation to not have the PPP account to the constitution and laws means this matter is not yet over.
Yours faithfully,
Lincoln Lewis
General Secretary
GTUC
