Dear Editor,
As we commemorate four years of President Irfaan Ali’s administration, it is imperative to reflect on the precarious brink of dictatorship that our nation narrowly skirted. The conduct of the APNU+AFC coalition during this period represents a disquieting chapter in our country’s history, clearly indicating their continued readiness to subvert democratic processes to attain power at any cost.
The March 2020 elections ought to have been a reflection of our commitment to democratic ideals, allowing our people to elect their representatives and set a course for the future. Unfortunately, what transpired was a blatant attempt by the APNU+AFC to grasp power through deceit and voter disenfranchisement. While the SOPs pointed unequivocally to a victory for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), the response from the APNU+AFC was troubling and fundamentally undemocratic.
Drawing comparisons with contemporary dictatorships, we observe striking parallels with Venezuela, where Nicolás Maduro’s regime has perfected the manipulation of electoral processes. Maduro’s recent efforts to consolidate authority through fraudulent elections and suppression of opposition closely resemble the actions of the APNU+AFC in 2020. In Venezuela, elections have been reduced to a mere façade employed by Maduro to perpetuate power despite widespread opposition and international censure.
Maduro’s tactics encompass manipulating vote tabulations, disenfranchising voters, and utilizing state resources to solidify his rule. Similarly, the APNU+AFC’s endeavours to alter the vote count in Region Four and refusal to concede underscored their readiness to undermine the electoral process. While the protracted recount (in the middle of a pandemic, no less) ultimately affirmed the PPP/C’s triumph, it also underscored the persistent threat of authoritarianism.
Despite explicit evidence of their transgressions (after all, the entire saga was live-streamed on social media), the APNU+AFC has adamantly refused to acknowledge their misdeeds. Apart from Dominic Gaskin, no figure from the political opposition has admitted or expressed remorse for their party’s actions. Instead, they have propagated a baseless narrative suggesting that the current government was installed illegitimately by the United States aided by Russian hackers. This preposterous conspiracy theory only diminishes trust in the PNC/AFC leadership.
The notion that the United States orchestrated the installation of the current government is not only unsubstantiated but also inherently absurd. It serves as a convenient scapegoat, diverting attention from the APNU+AFC’s overt attempts to subvert democracy. Accusing others of illegitimacy while refusing to accept the people’s resolute verdict is akin to blaming the referee for losing a game after having been caught cheating.
In light of this, I wish to pose a direct question to Aubrey Norton and Nigel Hughes: Will you finally acknowledge that your political factions engaged in a malevolent conspiracy to deprive the Guyanese people of their constitutionally enshrined democratic voice?
I won’t hold my breath as the PNC has a long and well-documented history of election rigging and voter disenfranchisement, which no PNC leader has ever admitted or apologized for.
Finally, as we observe this milestone, let us commemorate the resilience of our democratic institutions and the unwavering resolve of our Guyanese people. Let us internalize the lessons of 2020 and remain vigilant against attempts to undermine our democracy. Our fight to uphold a free society continues, and our responsibility as a people is to ensure that the events of 2020 (and 1968, 1973, 1980, 1985) never happen again. Venezuela is a stark reminder of the perils we must safeguard against, emphasizing the significance of sustained vigilance and dedication to democracy.
Sincerely,
Alfonso De Armas
