OBSERVER groups must testify to the fairness of the polls as early as possible at the upcoming general and regional elections. What was disappointing, however, in the 1997 general and regional elections was the lengthy delay in the production of the report of the Electoral Assistance Bureau (EAB), the only authentic Guyanese group, which not only monitored some 700 polling stations but also had produced a ‘quick count’ that showed that the results were correct.
An early report based on credible count samples can help to counter charges that the election was rigged. It is important that the head of all observer groups make sure that the elections are free, fair and transparent, with no absence of a report and no minor irritation which can cause street protests. As a background, the institutions and arrangements for the elections are now set for November 28, 2011.The Election Commission is multi-party, with party between government and opposition. All major issues before the Commission are cleared at the moment by the Inter-Party Committee on Electoral Reforms, on which all the contesting parties were represented. The new democratic environment in Guyana has encouraged a proliferation of political parties, most of which formed alliances.
At one time it seemed that some 30 parties would enter the election. Nomination Day saw the fielded candidates of each political party. It can be said that, with free and fair elections, history would be recorded once again.
Victory will be due to many factors: genuine impact on the voters’ minds and loyalists for each party and their manifestos, at the moment an impressive, multi-ethnic/multi-class slate of candidates and a robust campaign is on the way by each political party. Never was there so much enthusiasm, nor were there such great turnouts at political meetings and rallies throughout our country. The election campaign is the best ever for sheer colour and creativity spontaneously displayed on the internet and at street corners.
The campaign is very aggressive, targeting the young people, many of whom will be voting for the first time. They could be fed on what is perceived as good and bad for them in years to come, and the transformation of their lives.