The new government is looking to hold long-awaited local government elections by the end of the year, Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan says.
“It is hoped that we can have it within the end of the year,” Bulkan told Stabroek News yesterday while stressing that it is a priority for the administration. In its manifesto for the May 11 general elections, the APNU+AFC coalition had promised to set a date within the first 100 days of its government for local government elections. Local government elections were last held in 1994, although they are due to be held every three years by law.
While emphasising that the administration wants to hold the local government polls before the end of the year, the minister cautioned that it could take a while longer, with 12 months being the “outside date” for the elections to be held. Bulkan said they have to ensure that the Guyana Elections Commission (Gecom) is positioned to run-off the elections. “We must have democratic renewal,” he added.
As it relates to whether the APNU+AFC coalition would contest the local government polls, Bulkan indicated that according to the new local government legislation, 50% of the seats have to be contested on a constituency basis. He said that they would support non-political management of the Neighbour-hood Democratic Councils (NDCs). Bulkan said he is not saying that the coalition will not be contesting the local government polls and they are also prepared, if no strong candidate is put forward, to field a candidate from the coalition in a district.
However, he said, in principle, it would be happy if non-political persons come forward for the management of the communities.
Previously, Bulkan had told Stabroek News that it will be a priority of the new administration to convene early local government elections but in the meantime there can be an early return to local democracy if the oppressive hand of central government, via ministerial interference, is removed from the affairs of the local democratic organs.
“They have damaged and degraded our local government system to the detriment to the welfare of our people and the evidence of that is visible all across our country in the decayed communities. And so, immediately, even before we have local government elections, the central government can replace that hand of control and extend a hand of friendship, of cooperation with our local government organs, to partner with them, to work with them, so they can deliver with regards to the needs of citizens and their constituents,” the new minister had said.
The former PPP/C government had come under intense pressure last year to hold local government elections as there was no impediment in the way. The administration of then President Donald Ramotar made a series of excuses which have been consistently rubbished by the Gecom and other stakeholders.
