Dear Editor,
All over this nation election fever is catching on; the enthusiasm of those running for office is as bright as the sun and the nation is abuzz as we set to overthrow old local regimes and install new ones via the ballot box.
Unfortunately, Editor, there remain in Guyana some very ugly attitudes. As a student of political science it is painful to hear folks highlight that we are a democracy yet the de facto attitude is that of a one party system.
Recently, I volunteered to put up posters for a candidate in Georgetown’s Constituency 8 (Stabroek/Werk-en-Rust/Wortmanville). We spent several hours putting up these posters over several days. To our dismay our posters and other campaign material have been torn down from the lamp posts in some parts of our constituency. It appears that someone is of the opinion that they either own the GPL poles or that we cannot campaign here. These posters cost money to create and print, and our labour (though voluntary) is priceless. So to return the next day to see your hard word destroyed is painful and disappointing.
Editor, I make no indictment of any political party or any of the contestants in these elections, but this illegal behaviour must stop. Everyone has a constitutional right to seek elected office, barring any restrictions listed within the constitution and the nation’s laws. However, some supporters of some candidates feel that the only way their candidate can win is by fear and not policy. On the national level we saw this sort of ugly, petty illegal behaviour taking place, and it is sad that it has now managed to show up in the local government election. As stated this is not an indictment of any political party and its leadership; these acts seem those of overzealous supporters who want their candidate to win. The actions of these people are not promoting democracy and nor are thay helping their candidate win support and votes. What they are doing, is harm to the democratic process of elections and destroying our nation. We should not be so rabidly blind in our support of our candidate, that we engage in vandalism in an attempt to help them win.
Finally, Editor, I call on all contesting parties in these historic and important local government elections (in Georgetown and around the nation) to denounce these acts committed in their name. By denouncing these acts they will in no way be admitting guilt but rather clearly stating that their party is operating above board and condemns these acts. If we speak as a collective in condemnation it is effective and our supporters would not feel emboldened to engage in illegal acts as a measure of support and loyalty.
Yours faithfully,
Ty Talbot
