Dear Editor,
Reference is made to `Citizenship Initiative still open to elections coalition, says ‘inclusivity’ key’ (SN Dec 25). The challenge facing The Citizenship Initiative and all the minor parties is they and their leadership are not well known. Mr Badal of Change Guyana is not well known on the Corentyne or Essequibo or in the hinterland. Ditto Mr Lenox Shuman of LJP who is well known among Amerindians but has limited traction on the Corentyne and the coast. Mr Ruel Johnson and Ms Rondha Ann Lam of The Citizenship Initiative, Craig Sylvester of Democratic National Congress, and Ms Asha Kissoon of The National Movement are hardly known outside of Greater Georgetown. The leaders of the Christian parties and the other small parties lack recognition among voters and are not getting traction. The less known political figures and their parties will encounter serious difficulties to win over voters. They will be better off linking up with one of the two major parties or uniting among themselves to consolidate votes that will give representation in parliament. Even Mr Ramkarran, the star attraction of ANUG, though well-known and highly respected faces a serious challenge to win seats.
Coalition among the minor parties is the best way to enhance the prospect of winning seats, shaping government formation, influencing policy making, demanding renegotiation of unfair oil contracts, and directing how oil revenues will be expended. Being outside of a government will not give a small party much clout over a larger party on policy making unless the two major parties are denied a majority in parliament. It is quite conceivable that neither of the two behemoths can win a majority of votes and by extension a majority of seats. But not all of the minor parties will win representation. They each will win some amount of votes but not enough to win even a seat. At best four small parties seem to have a good prospect to win a seat. If some of the smaller parties unite, they will greatly improve their chance of winning a seat. Coalescing is recommended.
It is welcoming news that The Citizenship Initiative has not closed the door on a coalition with other small parties. Ms Lam is on the right course that youth, gender, and ethnicity must be balanced to maximize votes. I will add a fourth, fifth and sixth factor — education, integrity, and oil. Voters are also looking for figures they can trust. And they want political figures who will spend oil revenues wisely on the population rather then enrich themselves in office.
Yours faithfully,
Dr Vishnu Bisram
