Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan has said he is considering designating elections day a national holiday.
The Private Sector Commission (PSC) and the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) have both called on government to declare the day a holiday.
The PSC made the call in a statement issued on Thursday and said it was premised on the absolute need for the maintenance of law and order and the free and unhindered access to and from the polling place for every citizen qualified to vote on March 2nd, when general and regional elections are to be held.
“The Private Sector Commission is of the view, therefore, that, as has been the case in previous General and Regional Elections, that election day be declared a holiday, ensuring that every voter is free to cast their vote and return directly and safely to their homes,” it added.
Ramjattan subsequently said he was considering it, while noting that a holiday had been declared for the two previous general elections in 2015 and 2011. “I want to hear the arguments. Some people feel it might make it difficult for transportation… Let’s see how it goes,” he said on the sidelines of an event at the Ministry of Public Security on Thursday.
The FITUG, meanwhile, voiced its support for the call on Friday, while saying it is in the interest of upholding the country’s democracy.
In a statement it recalled that the last few elections were declared national holidays by the then government and noted that such a decision obviously took into account the citizenry’s inalienable right to exercise their franchise and to ensure maximum participation in the elections. “While we are aware that employees, lawfully, ought to be given adequate time off to be allowed to vote, we cannot discount the reality that there are employers who may not comply and thus deny such persons their right to vote. In cases where workers are required to work, such workers must be given sufficient time-off to cast their votes,” it added.
The FITUG further said it believed that with the merger of several polling stations across the country, it cannot be discounted that the voting process may be protracted. As a result, it said a national holiday will allow workers to be able to exercise their franchise without worry or fear of reprimand should the process take an extended time.
