This week we asked the man and woman in the street if they have been following developments related to the March 18 local government elections (LGE) and whether they plan on voting.
I don’t know much of the Local Government Elections but when it comes around I would vote. I know it is on March 18. In my community, I’d like to see more street lights and more activities for youths. I think they need to enlighten more people about it since it was so much years since the last one. I don’t think 18 or 20 year olds would know of it. I’m in my thirties and don’t know much.
-J. Hodge
Well I am glad we are going to get a Local Government Election since the last one was so many years ago. I do have an idea what Local Government Elections are like. I am from Canal # 1 and on Boxing Day, I had two persons in my area looking for signatures. I think it’s good because in every
district we can be able to choose who we want to be in our NDC’s.
-Andre Bowen
I am not following it to that extent but I see the ads on the television. I voted in the last one and I know I am going to be voting in this one as well. We needed the LGE a long time now but I have been seeing a lot of mixed views from the politicians. In my community we’re always paying rates and taxes but the NDC does not do anything. I hope that the LGE can make a difference by holding these persons who run the NDC accountable as well as ensure that they provide the services to the communities.
-K. Ismael
Yes, there is a need for the LGE but they are not fully prepared. I believe that there is a lack of public information on the LGE and that it is being held
too soon after general elections. I also believe that in order for the LGE to be free and fair, it should be done via an electronic polling system.
-Yadram Persaud
The local government elections that are scheduled for 2016 to an extent they’re trying to fix the imbalance between central government and local authorities so I think it’s good because it allows people to share their views and choose their representatives. I do plan on voting for LGE and in terms of breaking down local government I think it needs more exposure because a lot people don’t know about it. To my understanding, the
previous government placed most of the power with the central government instead of local authorities so with the new government decentralizing the power, it allows for accountability. However, when I attended a local government meeting the other day, I
noticed that there was a significant amount of older persons, there were no youths there who could talk about specific matters in the community.
-Sule Collymore
I know it is March and I am looking forward to vote but I am not yet aware of where I have to vote. When it gets close I would pay more attention to it. However, I think more needs to be done. People don’t understand the importance of Local Government Elections and what it is.
-Janet Sheonarain
I don’t know much about Local Government Elections but I know it is where we vote for people in our NDC. I am going to vote on elections day. More information should be spread out in the public and then you might see people expressing an interest in it.
-Navendra Lackish
I am aware Local G overnment Elections is in March. I would most obviously vote because I want to see changes in my community. There must be better drainage and irrigation systems to ease up flooding. I would encourage young people to go and vote too.
-Leela Sheonarain
I am not aware of what Local Government Elections is. I have been hearing that they would have Local Government Elections in March after how many years. I am not too sure if I would be voting because I am living in the city and my district is in Berbice. I think the people at GECOM should have more information in the streets on what really is Local Government Election and the fingertip facts that needs to be known. In the streets they should have posters and flyers for people to read because not everyone listens to the radio and watches television.
-Tanzia Roberts
I have some knowledge of Local Government Elections and what it entails. But there should be more information available on it to the public. Probably GECOM should have workers going house to house explaining in details and how important it is. I would definitely vote because of the fact that the people of this country play a major role in the decision making.
-Malisa Harry
