Dear Editor,
The local government elections are over, and as one analyses the results and feedback from the electorate throughout Guyana, it is evident that our country is racially divided and the larger parties won because people voted solidly along ethnic lines or out of party loyalty, and not because the parties had better representatives or programmes.
It was evident that political parties used every tactic in the book to urge their supporters to vote along party lines. For instance in Bartica the main political parties used economic threats and the worst character assassination directed against Mrs Judith David Blair, a former PNC MP who has dedicated her life to support of her party, and whose only sin was to support a local group, BIGA, which was contesting local government elections.
The economic threat started as an echo from the local party officials but was given life by the fifteen government ministers who visited Bartica on two consecutive weekends prior to the elections to shore up support for the coalition contesting the election. Barticians were privileged to see for the first time in their history over fifteen ministers visiting them, and the main message was, if any other party or group wins ask them where will they get the funding from.
It was indeed a sad day and a new low in Bartica history to see a mother, more so a former PNC MP who has dedicated her life working tirelessly over the years for the PNC abused at a public meeting organized in front of her home by a PNC official. It was not fair to lambast Ms Blair about her personal business.
As for the regional administration, after ten years in charge of the Bartica Regatta, an audited financial statement has yet to be produced, and every year the Bartica Regatta Committee goes to the business community with their hat in their hands. I am of the view that if managed properly the Regatta has the potential to self-finance its annual operations.
It was heartening to hear at the victory rally organized by the coalition on Sunday, March 20, one of the speakers speak about love and reconciliation. Yes, it’s possible, but it’s always difficult when politicians focus on personalities rather than issues.
Even though the Local Government Act No 26 of 2009 makes it legal for voluntary groups to participate , the behaviour of the political parties at our recently concluded elections indicated that these are not welcome.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address provided)
