By Ronald Austin Jr

‘DUH (that) is nah (not) me business’ is a famous phrase used in our everyday conversations. When we make this remark, it means we have zero interest in an issue.
It is sad when this phrase is applied while describing our attitude to public advocacy. The posture of ‘Duh is nah me business’ is what led to what is arguably the worst time for governance in Guyana’s modern history, experienced between 1999-2015. Governance reached its nadir during this period when the holders of power declared with unrivalled pomposity, ‘we have the ethnic numbers’. On May 11th, 2015, Guyanese demonstrated that elections have serious implications. In this case, there was a positive outcome; in other cases, it could be negative. Numerous issues associated with the arrogance of government in Guyana in the past have disappeared, because of the decision of the masses at the last elections to demonstrate their power at the ballot box.

Further, some ominous things with life-and-death implications are no longer around due to the results of the last polls. The simple pleasure of government critics and reporters driving with their windows down or citizens subjecting their leaders to complete ridicule on social media, no longer come with fatal repercussions, because of our last monumental exercise of our collective franchise. It is only those who were in the trenches during this period of destructive and vindictive government would appreciate the dangers of going to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport to fulfil an overseas obligation as an anti-government activist and having to face the dreaded possibility of having drugs planted in your luggage. These simple fears are no more due to the wise choice made by Guyanese. These consequences cannot be underestimated, especially in light of the fact that most of the persons who were custodians of the bad state between 1999-2015, have gone nowhere, they are the ones waiting in the electoral wings to once again reign down terror on the population.

Added to this, an election, besides its conspicuous mechanisms, is a formal process by which you make a decision. When you cut through the razzle and dazzle of campaigning and all the shining fanfares, it is a wise choice to make which can affect from what your children will carry in their lunch kits to whether your country gets a bad reputation in the international arena. This practice of democracy has been in place since the 17th century. It is the results of the May 11th 2015 elections that have erased the shame of Guyana having a reputation of being a drug-filled banana republic with little law and order. It is due to our last vote-casting that we have seen an unprecedented crackdown on the drug empire in Guyana and the concomitant positive effects that come along with dealing condignly with this scourge. The average Guyanese party-goer can now remark: ‘Is a long time me ain’t see people shooting up in parties’. This is due to the fact that Guyanese made a decision to elect an incorruptible President who stands for law and order and cannot be enticed by the overtures of the drug empire. Again, your safety when you go out to have a good time can be traced right back to electoral decision-making.

Be that as it may, global voter apathy is at its highest percentage. The youth remain the most passive global voter block; this is a universal trend. In July 2010, 75% of eligible voters between ages 18-30 chose not to participate in the US midterm elections. The question is: who is to be blamed for low voter turnout by youths globally? Politicians or young people? On one hand, there is the argument that politicians are out of touch with issues that impact the lives of young people. On the other hand, there is the valid contestation that if politicians refuse to address your issues, it is you who must delve into advocacy and address those issues. It is a crime against your fellow citizens to allow the rise of the destructive state by not having an I.D Card or refusing to get up on national elections day to vote. Not getting involved is too detrimental. It is a good time to remind ourselves of the wise words of William Lyon Mckenzie King, ‘Where [there] is little or no public opinion, there is likely to be bad government, which sooner or later becomes autocratic government.’