Dear Editor,
Reference is made to a letter, signed by Norman Whittaker, captioned, ‘There must be adequate preparations for local government elections’ (SN, August 7), in which Mr Whittaker attempted to make a case for the further delay in the holding of local government elections (LGE). The Minister of Communities wishes to make clear, that the administration’s position on the matter is grounded in respect for the rule of law, respect for the rights of Guyanese to choose their leaders, and respect for democratic norms. Unlike the PPP regime, this administration intends to serve the people according to law, not rule citizens according to the whims and fancies of government officials.
The issue of LGE is not one of preparedness, but one of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana’s obligations to fulfil a constitutional and statutory requirement, and return sovereignty to the people who, according to Article 9 of the Constitution, “exercise it through their representatives and the democratic organs established by or under the Constitution.” Mr Whittaker will recall that on February 10, 2014, the Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendment) Bill, was debated and passed, directing that elections be held on or before 1st August 2014. The PPP regime ignored that law, despite the public’s outcry for a return to democracy. We recall Leader of the Opposition David Granger’s public calls for the holding of LGE, we recall APNU’s sustained campaign for LGE, including weekly protests outside the office of the President.
The PPP regime is well aware of the importance of local government; Article 74 of the Constitution makes that abundantly clear. What is equally apparent is that party’s intense fear of placing decision-making power in the hands of ordinary people, where it rightfully belongs. The PPP’s terror of handing political power to Guyanese citizens stems from the fact that Freedom House knows that once Guyanese realize that they are the bosses and government is their servant, the PPP will never again be allowed to run a dictatorship in Guyana; the people will not permit it.
In his letter, Mr Whittaker attempts, too, to distract Guyanese with red herrings, speculative nonsense, and cavalier and careless irrelevancies. First, Mr Whittaker should be the last person to talk about disenfranchisement because, as the Minister of Local Government in the PPP regime, he was directly responsible for denying Guyanese their constitutional right to vote.
Second, Gecom’s officials have repeatedly said, both publicly and in meetings with the Minister of Communities, that they will be ready to conduct LGE, within the timeframe desired by the administration. One therefore wonders if Mr Whittaker is better informed about Gecom’s readiness, than Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield and Chairman, Dr Surujbally.
Third, Mr Whittaker, apparently, needs to be reminded that his party, the PPP, in its 2011 manifesto, had promised to hold LGE within one year of being re-elected. Of course, we know how that turned out. Mr Whittaker may need to be further reminded that in early 2012, he rose in the National Assembly and said, “The PPP and the PPP/C Government have always viewed local government reform and the need to have Local Government Elections as important not only for development but also important for the renewal of grassroots democracy in our country. We want to hold Local Government Elections. We want to hold Local Government Elections tonight.” Obviously, Editor, the refusal of the PPP regime to hold LGE while that party was in office, and anti-LGE rhetoric currently emanating from its officials, are at odds with the claim that Mr Whittaker made in the hallowed halls of the National Assembly.
Fourth, Mr Whittaker claims to be concerned that young people may not vote in LGE because they will be distracted by Christmas. May I point out to the former Minister that it is not government’s place to legislate who votes, rather, it is the duty of the administration to carry out the law and facilitate its enforcement.
Finally, Mr Whittaker expresses concern that political parties be ready. And that is where the PPP and the APNU+AFC coalition do not see eye to eye. It is the view of the Minister of Communities, that ordinary Guyanese individuals and groups, in addition to political parties, should be empowered to administer their own affairs. In fact, politics should play the smallest role, at the local government level.
Yours faithfully,
Mark DaCosta,
Research Officer to the Minister,
Ministry of Communities