Dear Editor,
I note with much trepidation the constant and widespread coverage given to my Brother Mark Benschop in his run up to the local government elections (LGE). It appears that whenever Mark speaks, the media is pleased and obliged to listen. Since my return to Guyana I have observed that Mark has been very vocal on matters both of the country and more recently, Georgetown.
I applaud Mark and wish him well in his desires. However, Mark is not the only candidate who will be competing in the LGE. I have gotten my family’s blessing and I too will be attempting to get involved in helping to move my country forward. I think that I possess the nationalistic and patriotic wherewithal to ask the constituents of the 8th constituency: Stabroek‒Wortmanville‒ Werk-en-Rust division, for their support.
There is much unemployment, drug abuse, vagrancy, crime and other social and infrastructural ills in my community. I would like the opportunity to aid in the reduction and alleviation of these chronic and endemic realities.
In this regard, I have begun the process of qualifying as a candidate for the LGE, under the banner of the Practical National Movement (PNM).
What I would hope, Editor, is that equal coverage be given to all the candidates seeking election. The new electoral format allows for all and sundry to participate. Many of the big guns and some of the political parties are planning to enter the race. If the privately owned media do not allow fair and balanced reporting, those with deep pockets and national recognition will consume the average candidate.
This LGE will be a test of the fairness and balance of the media houses’ reporting. Now that the average citizen could contest this election, the voters will have a rare chance of deciding who they want to lead the developments within their communities. If the media does the right thing, Guyana might well be on its way to grassroots, democratic, apolitical, governance.
Yours faithfully,
Pastor W P Jeffrey
Practical National
Movement
