(In the interest of a peaceful election climate, Stabroek News has agreed to publish this column by the Justice and Peace Commission of the Roman Catholic Church.)
In Guyana, as elsewhere, the rejection of results can easily fuel social tensions and introduce uncertainties that all too often result in violence. Nothing threatens the success of an election more than the rejection of election results. As Christians, we reject violence and its causes.
In elections, as in any race, there are winners and losers. However, everyone wins if elections are fair and peaceful, and if the defeated accept their loss and the winners are magnanimous in their victory.
Specifically, fair and peaceful elections will encourage the reconciliation and trust Guyana urgently needs, as identified by Bishop Alleyne last November.
The way political parties manage an election loss or victory will either set the stage for increased reconciliation and trust, or further set the agenda back.
It is thus disconcerting, to say the least, that the two largest contestants in this race have been demonizing each other to the point where the worst behaviour (rigging, violence, cheating, corruption etc.) is being assumed of the other.
Both the PPP/C and APNU+AFC have been sloganeering to the max and raising the expectations of supporters, not to mention expending unknown but large sums on their campaigns. Taken together with suspicions about the electoral process, these parties may find it difficult to accept losing the elections, and one of them will certainly lose these elections.
It is also true that defeat brings disappointment. Ask any West Indian cricket fan. The sadness that accompanies dashed expectations is a natural human reaction. In some ways, an electoral loss is similar to death. We find it difficult to accept losing someone we care for, struggle to cope, and even lash out in anger and frustration.
The Christian way of responding to loss is to empathise. St. Paul encouraged us to “be happy with those who are happy, and mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15).
The point here is that losing parties have much to cope with as human beings and as institutions in the aftermath of their defeat. They should know how important their campaigns were for the generation of debate, for inspiration and for nation-building more generally.
While we call on defeated political parties to accept their loss, it would be naïve to think they will do so in a context where significant electoral disputes remain unresolved. In this case, we urge parties to use the courts to manage any complaints.
The Catholic community salutes all political leaders in this campaign who have answered God’s call to be honest, fair, decent and hopeful. They are laying the platform for reconciliation and trust.
As we conclude this final lap before elections, we remember the words of Jesus -“may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Mt. 6:10).
We pray that our leaders will receive the strength to accept God’s will as spoken through God’s People.
The Justice and Peace Commission (JPC) of the Roman Catholic Church is appointed by Bishop Alleyne. The Commission contributes to the development of Guyana by promoting Justice and Peace as fundamental elements within enabling human relations, be these social, economic or political. The Commission has as its ultimate end the development of a society based on respect, equality, and dignity.
This article is one in a JPC series on elections that is being carried by the Catholic Standard. The purpose of this series is to explore the justice and peace dimensions of various electoral issues, such as forgiveness and the duty to vote. The articles promote Catholic Social Teachings and encourage reconciliation and trust in Guyana.
Comments/Feedback can be provided to: jpc.guyana@gmail.com. To access more information on the JPC, including other articles in this series, visit us at jpcgy.webs.com
