Dear Editor,
Recent events have demonstrated clearly the state of distress that characterizes our politics and governance institutions. But these events, though a dramatic and public display of political dysfunction, are not isolated. Rather, they draw attention to the history of political distress in Guyana that is chronic. They are just the latest episode in a state of permanent underlying disorder going back as far as the 1950s, and marked by major upheavals in almost every decade since the 1960s.
As citizens of this country we cannot be comfortable with this state of affairs. It is undoubtedly a major factor in the poor performance that has placed this country on the bottom rungs of the development ladder in spite of its well-recognized economic potential. It will continue to rob citizens of their due benefits and rewards of their labours, never mind the much vaunted oil wealth on the horizon. It is therefore imperative that Guyanese people find an electoral formula that fosters unity and cooperation if we are to experience a genuine change in national fortunes.
Recognizing the problem, local and foreign commentators, election observers and others familiar with political conditions in this country have recommended and urged constitutional and electoral reform for decades. If there’s a silver lining in the political crisis following the March 2 General and Regional Elections, it is growth of a momentum of agreement across sections of the population in favour of constitutional and electoral reform. There is the widespread hope that electoral reform will be accomplished before the next election, by 2024, to avoid a recurrence of this year’s crisis. It is important for leaders in this nation to seize the opportunity of this rare moment of near unanimity to do what is necessary to realize a genuine vision of reform.
The agenda for institutional reform in Guyana is huge. The nation needs to strengthen its public service management, law and order institutions, the regulatory framework for natural resource industries including oil, environmental management,
education, health, and local governance systems, to name a few areas. There are also calls for constitutional reform to address imbalances in the power of the executive relative to other branches of the system of governance, and for measures to curb corruption.
However, while other areas of institutional strengthening cannot be ignored, electoral reform is first priority for intervention. The nation needs to establish a platform of political stability, a system characterized by inclusivity, that seeks to eliminate winner-take-all, zero-sum politics, and provides stronger accountability and more meaningful relations and responsibility between elected representatives and the citizens they represent. It is also abundantly clear that GECOM needs to be revamped to make it function effectively as an anchor for the electoral process and deliver free and fair elections acceptable to winners and losers.
We recognize that electoral reform is not new to Guyana. Guyana has had episodes of electoral reform from as far back as the 1950s, and there have been significant changes since the 1990s. But, admittedly, efforts have been piecemeal, and the measures have had limited impact in changing political conditions for the better.
As Guyanese citizens concerned about the future of our country, we welcome recent statements by the President and Opposition Leader indicating their commitment to constitutional and electoral reform in Guyana as an immediate priority. We urge that current efforts must be ambitious and substantive. To make a difference, it is imperative that civil society must play a central role in the negotiation and design of a reformed electoral system and Commission. Civil society must not be an afterthought. All around the world, the importance of a strong involvement of citizen-based entities in the reform process is recognized. Ultimately, political stability matters most to citizens, and their involvement is necessary to lend substance and credibility to the process, and strengthen the chances of success.
Yours faithfully,
Sara Bharrat – Youth Leader and Political Commentator
Alfred Bhulai – Physical Scientist and Engineer
Kerry Anne Kansinally – Human Rights Activist
Rene Edwards – Citizen
Rory Fraser – Educator and Policy Analyst
Lawrence Lachmansingh – Peace and Democracy Advocate
Desmond Thomas – Economist and Author
Meaningful Civil Engagement in Electoral Reform is an Imperative