THE 2019/2020 elections have been labelled the ‘mother of all elections’. Understandably so, this is the first elections that will occur in the pre-oil period. The party or parties who are given a chance to exercise custody over the Guyanese state apparatus will be afforded the opportunity to embark on unprecedented economic transformation.

This may afford the victor of these elections enough political capital to lock the other side out of power for possibly three electoral cycles. It is for this reason, the term, ‘mother of all elections’ is succinctly applicable to the upcoming general and regional elections. This applicability leads to the logical continuum, these have got to be the most transparent and above board in the most supreme way. The anxiety created by the discovery of black gold means if an ant runs across a ballot box, there will be a hue and cry. It is for this reason, it must be the most transparent.

Firstly, pursuant to the aforementioned, how critical is a clean, uncorrupted list to ensuring elections are transparent and completely above board? The list is the basis, the crux, the epicentre and the nucleus of credible elections. If a list is padded, it can import dubious electors to favour a specific political grouping.

This can be done in a strategic way and it automatically discredits those elections. The ‘mother of all elections’ cannot have those clouds of electoral doubts hovering over this process. Even worst, it does not augur well for the nation when one side is adamant and passionate about a disputable list; why the passion?

No President or party should feel proud about beginning a term in office with their legitimacy hanging in the balance. This affects the confidence of a population in their rule and a loss of national confidence can trickle into every crevice of a society and have long term negative effects. Conversely, free and fair elections that are perceived to be of the highest standard and quality can be the perfect panacea for small societies; the mere perception of a clean voter list, an independent electoral body with independent leadership, augurs well for a nation. We should strive for this.

‘Winning or losing the election is less important than strengthening the country’. It is an opportune time to reflect on these sage words of Indira Gandhi. The ‘mother of all elections’ is pregnant with the possibility of plunging Guyana into its worst crisis if not carefully shepherded by the custodians of the state. There is unprecedented historical and national responsibility on the shoulders of the head of state to make good on his duty to the people to ensure these elections are credible beyond review.

In service of that noble and supreme interest, the constitutional provisions that stipulate the execution of elections must be followed to the letter. Irrespective of the fact that there was a no-confidence motion and judgement that speaks to the appointment of a Gecom Chair, the seriousness of the ‘mother of all elections’ takes precedence. Therefore, it is the President who must make this call based on the advice of Gecom. Any other method that affects these elections will cast ambiguity over these elections and based on what portends, this would be disastrous for Guyana.

Doubts about the legitimacy of elections can reverberate for decades and sow seeds of mistrust that may ensure a nation never recovers. Just think of such a development in the context of Guyana being an oil and gas economy. Just imagine first oil is met with this. All and sundry owe to the next generation to support every effort to ensure the ‘mother of elections’ is the most transparent.