Dear Editor,
October 5 marks 31 years since the restoration of democratic rule to Guyana after twenty-eight years of PNC dictatorial rule. During that period Guyana was reduced to one of the poorest country in the western hemisphere. The restoration of democratic rule was indeed a defining moment in the political life of the country. Under the slogan ‘Time to Unite: Time to Rebuild’ the PPP/C administration under the leadership of Dr. Cheddi Jagan began a process of economic and social reconstruction. The private sector was designated ‘the engine of growth’, an indication of the changing global dispensation due in large measure to the ending of the Cold War and the collapse of the world socialist system.
The Soviet Union, which at one time was seen as the bastion of socialism ceased to exist as the country disintegrated into a number of independent states under the force of Glasnost (Opening) and Perestroika (Restructuring) implemented by the Gorbachev regime. The October 5, 1992 elections produced the first democratically elected government since 1964. The PPP/C, as was widely anticipated, won a majority of the votes and was duly elected to the seat of power. And while credit must be given to the United States government for the role it played in the restoration of democracy to Guyana, the combined impact of civil society advocacy such as the independent media, the trade union movement, religious organizations, private sector organizations, the diaspora and the political opposition led by the PPP was no less significant.
The specter of rigged elections again raised its ugly head in the March 2020 General and Regional elections when the APNU+ AFC coalition attempted to return itself to power through fraudulent means. However such attempts were successfully thwarted through the combined efforts of the courts especially the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), the international community and other democratic forces in Guyana. Democracy in Guyana is still evolving along the lines of greater inclusivity. The challenge before us is to find ways to further enrich our democracy along the lines of One Guyana as envisaged by President Irfaan Ali. Our democracy is worth celebrating. We owe a debt of gratitude to all those who stood up for democracy in Guyana.
Sincerely,
Hydar Ally
