Dear Editor,
I noticed a recent claim from the incumbent Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition that the extensive consultations with and within the Guyanese society on the matter of the chairmanship of Gecom included meetings with representative leaders from the three major religions in Guyana ‒ Christianity, Hinduism and Islam. There were even, in at least one branch of the print media, photographs reflecting attendance at the respective meetings. I noted quietly at the time, that the pictures cited seemed to confirm consultations with representatives of the Hindu and Moslem communities. Pictorial evidence of Christian involvement was markedly absent.
In a press briefing referred to in SN on Thursday, December 22 (page 3) Mr Jagdeo is again reported as claiming to have had consultations with “religious organizations from the three major religions…” In keeping with the current spirit of goodwill and the reported quest of his party to go beyond the process required by law or the constitution “… to solicit opinions from a broad range of organisations…” would the Leader of the Opposition be kind enough to provide the names of the leaders and respective organisations reflective of the Christian community within the nation with whom he had these consultative sessions? Of course, the pictorial evidence as previously cited would be of immeasurable value. After all, we are dealing with appreciably more than fifty per cent of the populace of Guyana, a key factor in the preparation for and conduct of national elections.
Yours faithfully,
Loris Heywood
