Dear Editor,
The campaign is over. People voted. There appeared to be glitches in the election, but there is no evidence that these were contrived. Whatever the outcome, providing there was no fraud, the parties must demonstrate maturity and accept the peoples’ verdict.
They must not fool their supporters that they have won when in fact they have been defeated. As the Stabroek News editorial appealed, there must not be violence and disruption. The victor should be allowed to be sworn in and the loser must concede gracefully as happened in the UK on Thursday and as has happened in so many other societies. The media must behave responsibly and not entertain divisive hate commentaries or promote disorder – the nasty election campaign must not continue in the media. It is now time for healing and national unity. The nation must be allowed a resumption of normal life from Tuesday. Life must go on!
Whoever wins and whatever government is formed, it should reflect the broad face of the nation. I am in agreement with the coalition leader David Granger that the government should be inclusionary and drawn from all strata of society. As President Ramotar said, his new cabinet, if he wins, will include a lot of new faces − political as well as civic people. The best brains should be called upon to give a lending hand towards national development, regardless of who emerges on top. A national government is the best way forward.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram