Local NGO, the Electoral Reform Group (ERG) has come out against the statements uttered by WPA’s Tacuma Ogunseye on March 11 at a rally in Buxton which it described as “false and misguided” and “symptomatic of Guyana’s democratic dysfunction, which fosters partisan brinkmanship.”
In a release yesterday the ERG stated that Ogunseye made statements that raised concerns as they suggest that a group of Guyanese citizens cannot be considered oppressed if they possess guns and constitute the majority in the army and police force. He also indicated, it highlighted, that given the ethnic majority in the military and the police force with access to guns, Guyanese of African descent can resolve perceived oppression by the ruling party within days, not weeks. This the ERG sees as “false and misguided.”
The NGO contended that in a democratic society, the possession of firearms and majority representation in the army and police do not serve as a relevant indicator of progress towards democracy. “It is not logical to argue that those who possess guns can bring about a more democratic society.” In fact, it pointed out that history has shown that the use of force and weapons has often hindered progress towards democracy and that Guyana has experienced how the power of the gun can facilitate violence and undemocratic activities.
The ERG said that it therefore views Ogunseye’s comments as symptomatic of Guyana’s democratic dysfunction, which fosters partisan brinkmanship. And while extreme views can be found across the political divide, ERG believes in the power of the ballot and a viable electoral process as foundational means to build a strong democratic system.
“To achieve a democratic system that represents the interests of all Guyanese, we need electoral reform that promotes greater participation and reduces the hegemony of party leaders in selecting representatives. ERG stands ready to work with like-minded individuals to promote electoral reform and to ensure that extreme views like those expressed by Mr. Ogunseye are never condoned”, the group said.
According to the release, ERG intends to pursue meaningful dialogue and election-related reforms through citizens’ input. “We look forward to the upcoming constitutional reform process and urge all stakeholders to participate fully. We believe that together, we can foster greater ethnic cohesion and a more viable democracy in our beloved country”, the ERG said.
