THERE is certainly enough evidence to give good merit to the argument that the presidency, in any polity, is mentally and physically draining. Men and women enter the highest office in their lands with energy and vigour, and leave with an abundance of grey and numerous health issues that all bear witness to the stark reality of life on the throne. Also, it is worth noting that in Guyana, seven men and one woman have experienced the daunting challenge of leading a highly-polarised society with a myriad of economic, social and political problems. Considering this, the following question is begged: Who is he/she that would not flinch and proceed with unmoved determination to accede to the presidency with a thick and murky cloud of electoral fraud hovering an electoral process of which he/she is a candidate?
THE PRESIDENCY
Guyana possesses a unitary system with an executive presidency, as a consequence, this office holds an omnipotent status. The seemingly indomitable former President, Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, by all reports, conceded that the weight of the presidency is not easy lifting. During the 1985-1992 period, President Hugh Desmond Hoyte was saddled with the enormous task of transitioning Guyana from a socialist-oriented economy to a free-market economic system. So gargantuan was the task, he confided about the gravity of governing. Dr. Cheddi Jagan looked a far more vibrant and rested man in the opposition in the pre-1992 period, but once he ascended to the seat of power, it was painfully obvious that the management of a difficult and fractured society is no easy venture.
All of this is being written to make this point: Nobody who is dreaming of acceding to the arguably toughest highest office in the Caribbean should be excited to do so under this thick cloud of irrefutable fraud. It takes an extraordinary mind to remain steadfastly oblivious to this 800-pound Gorilla in the national room.
CHARACTER AND PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANTS
With the aforementioned in mind, it is an opportune time to reference the sage words of Richard Neustadt. Neustadt argued that presidents have very little formal power, far less than necessary to meet the enormous expectations heaped on them during the modern era, and the key to strong presidential leadership lies not in formal power, but in the skills, temperament, and experience of the man occupying the office, and in his ability to put these personal qualities to use in enhancing his own reputation and prestige. The foundation of presidential power is ultimately personal (Neustadt:1960). This observation was made in the American political context with a federal system, but it is acutely applicable to circumstance with a unitary system that facilitates an executive presidency. Guided by these sentiments, it is easy to conclude that the character of someone who aspires to be President is of utmost importance, especially in a country such as Guyana. If that person proceeds from a position of dishonourable intentions, it is practically over for a nation. Consider this: If a presidential aspirant has no issues with credible claims of fraud over a process that allows him/her to claim victory, this window into his/her character presents an ominous view that teems with frightening implications for the populace if he succeeds.
THE IMPLICATIONS
Considering all that I have said, what are the possible implications of a presidential aspirant who is numb to illegality? It is reasonable to assume that if such a person metamorphoses from aspirant to President, he/she may also remain stoic and unperturbed by corruption, human rights violations, extrajudicial killings and wanton government excesses. It is a frightening prospect. Perhaps, this discussion is further well served by asking why the average conscience is not moved by electoral dispute concerns, and just seeks to push on through the noise with fatalistic determination to pursue a controversial dream? Any reasonable deduction would lead to the direction of that person being part of a grand scheme that is well orchestrated by power interests, and he might not be his own man.
Such interpretations are reasonable, because anyone who aspires to be President must know that once you accede to that office under a dark cloud of electoral fraud, you have lost the moral high ground to lead the nation from the outset, and could face a name-and-shame campaign, coupled with national disrespect that would make effective rule problematic, if not impossible. If this is not known, considered, accepted and becomes a point of worry, we are dealing with an extraordinary mind that is invariably a danger to citizens. Presidential aspirants and President in a situation where there are serious electoral disputes should seek to ensure all doubts are cleared before they attempt to lead a nation. Any contrary course of action points to a mind that is the least concerned about nation-building.
