The Electoral Reform Group (ERG) says that there can be no justification for the rigging of elections in Guyana.
The ERG in a statement on Tuesday was referring to contentious remarks made by former Prime Minister Hamilton Green, delivered at the LFS Burnham Foundation’s annual commemorative symposium last weekend.
According to the ERG, there are undoubtedly challenges to the way Guyana’s democracy functions, but the civil society organization says that these challenges cannot be overcome by election rigging. “Our political leaders need to do the hard work that comes with democratic responsibility, including constitutional reform and reconciliation,” the ERG says, and “The government would do well to understand the frustrations and fears expressed by Mr. Green and engage the nation in a meaningful process of constitutional and electoral reform.”
At the same time, the ERG says, “Mr. Green and those in opposition must engage the government constructively in the pursuit of governance reform.” The ERG noted its pleasure that the process to implement the Constitutional Reform Act of 2022, after some delay, has been initiated with the naming of some members of the Constitutional Reform Commission (CRC) and says it looks forward to collaborating with political and civic organizations across Guyana to ensure that CRC recommendations address major weaknesses in the electoral system before the next general election. ERG has already articulated its demands for comprehensive reform of the electoral system to, among other things:
Resolve the winner-take-all orientation of the system,
Establish a governance system that is characterized by greater representativeness, accountability and inclusiveness, institute greater transparency of campaign financing, and Restructure GECOM for greater credibility and effectiveness in managing national elections.
Justice, ERG says, cannot flow from an unjust election and advised that the implementation of needed electoral reforms will improve political stability and economic performance.
