Hello you electors/voters. Perhaps I’m impertinent enough to dare to present a few pointers/discussion points with respect to elements of current voter-education initiatives now being contemplated, or implemented – But I do so never-the-less. Respectfully.
Who should engage in “educating,” informing, advising voters? Why? Who will constitute the (target) audiences? Why? What techniques will be suitable and effective? When? And exactly what aspects of this “education” is necessary (to whom) on the actual polling day as the ballots must be marked with those “x’s?” (Hooray for the letter “x” on this fateful day!)
Answering myself, advising others
Since the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is the Constitutional body empowered to conduct all aspects of Guyana’s elections, GECOM is/should be obliged to take the lead in this “education”. (Check Article 161/162 to understand the overall role of GECOM.)
However, as I have been noting already, GECOM’s information and education of the electorate is usually coloured – and limited by its obligation to be legal and formally official, and Frankly Speaking, their notices and other official ads are steeped in language which the young and the “masses” might find mystifying.
So besides explanations by Chairman, CEO and PR fellows, GECOM, quite rightly, employs the assistance of certain interested, qualified and capable groups and agencies.
Now naturally, if the political parties are vying for citizens’ votes, those parties should teach both their supporters and others how to vote for them. Right? Agreed? So is this happening? Do those parties have capable comrades to simplify technicalities? Ho-ho. Who are, should be, the audience?
I suggest the young, 18-plus first-time voter, the very senior, golden electors, including the handicapped and shut-ins, the illiterates, certain “foreigners” living in Guyana for one year continuously. (Did you Guyanese know of this latter?) Electors must know how to cast valid votes if the “democracy” of the elections is to be worth anything. But I won’t describe my own techniques for teaching here. Many are obvious but various “educators” can employ appropriate media and a plethora of communication approaches to show – literally show – voters how to cast valid votes. What do you think – should “teachers of voting” show what not to do? Should spoilt votes/ballots be used to teach too? What are the educational psychologies for and against the latter? Discuss.
Technicalities – beyond the ballot
So Voter Educators, what’s the immediate-priority objective(s) of your voter Education lesson(s)? I submit that they must include how to vote when given the official ballot paper; where your booth is located and when the voter should turn up.
Voter-education for the leadership and campaign directors of political parties should be more expansive to include some technicalities and “legalities” that sometimes boggle even my simple mind. Here’s a sampling: How does one vote by proxy? What is the revised list as against the (final) official list of electors (voters)? When will the specific disciplined forces vote? Why? Political parties contesting must submit three separate lists on nomination day if they are capable of doing so.
And the big one for the parties to study and really comprehend/master – as GECOM does: all about Guyana’s electoral formulae with respect to the calculation and allocation of seats described as “national top-up” (40) and the ten (10) Geographic constituencies (25). Ever heard of the “largest remainder”? Far be it from me to kerfuffle/coffufle” young or older voters. It is for their parties and other educators to understand then teach about the “voting process”. GECOM must really emphasise to the youths the sequential steps outside and inside the Voting Booth. More next time – from Uncle Fenty. Remember though – nothing like the visual!
Agricola – as gun-land
I always hurt over the negative reports coming out of the Lower East Bank/Greater Georgetown community of Agricola – so frequently. Why? Because my departed colourful Headmaster/Local Government/Teachers Union/ St John’s Ambulance Uncle, A.B.C Fenty once left his mark/imprimatur in that “village”.
ABC’s St Ann’s Primary School was before its time. Ask Agricola native Bonny Alves – a Guyanese cultural enabler and talented son himself. ABC staged indoor Cricket matches, when it rained; he installed public address systems and produced many notable names. Like Buxton, recently stained with wrong-doing, the Roman-oriented “Jonestown” Agricola boasted great Guyanese products – aligned as it was to the adjacent McDoom: two Georgetown Mayors Whyte and Jordan; a government Minister Jordan; the Decembers of lawn tennis and boxing. Philomena Sahoye; Caesar Barrow and son and other national boxers, the now iconic Francis Farrier; the late calypsonian Mighty Kaieteur and yes the Jordanites religious groups of old.
Now Agricola boasts too many guns. And nearby McDoom adds to the weekly gun crimes. I say that the Police outreach is worthy. But move a proper station in the midst of the community. And as I add Rihanna’s Mother’s name (Monica) to Agricola’s international “products”, I use this memo to plead once more for the police to be modern. Construct a google-like intimate map-layout of all communities for all your stations. Know every nook and cranny – where the guns hide and the wicked youth dwell!
Ponder! Imagine!
*1) Coalition Cathy Hughes was right, in Linden It is to be hoped those thousands are legally eligible to vote!
*2) Did you read the fascinating piece by a knowledgeable in Queens NY, NY detailing the long list of Indo-Guyanese “Americans” who do/did criminal things to their own in New York?
*3) What’s really going on in Dr Luncheon’s Intelligence Unit aback Castellani House in the Gardens”?
*4) Goodbye to retired Colonel Lindon “BJ” Ross – Belladrum’s and Guyana’s loss!
‘Til next week!
(allanafenty@yahoo.com)
