AS was promised by the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition prior to the hosting of General and Regional elections, a date for the holding of the long overdue Local Government Elections is still expected to be named within the first 100 days since its ascension to office. Hopeful that all things remain “equal,” which will pave the way for the timely announcement of the elections, Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan explained that his ministry which now has this responsibility will remain loyal to the people of Guyana by fulfilling the promise made for the holding of local government elections, as detailed in the APNU+AFC manifesto.
According to the manifesto, “One of the most despicable practices of the PPP/C regime has been its tendency to make agreements and unilaterally refuse to implement them. Despite its solemn 2011 promise to the people of Guyana for the holding of Local Government Elections, they have failed to hold them.”
It was against this backdrop, that the APNU+AFC committed to meaningful local government reforms and to holding these elections shortly after assuming office.
Outlined in their ‘First 100 days’ plan, the coalition explained that within 100 days they will, “set the date for the early holding of Local Government Elections.”
Furthermore, under the reformed local government system, this date will be set, subject to consultations with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).
Featured in their manifesto, was also the promise to, “Return the Local Government Bills which were not assented to by the President, to the National Assembly – for approval and presidential assent in preparation for the long overdue Local Government Elections.”
Additionally, the APNU+AFC coalition will be aiming to operationalise the Local Government Commission Act of 2013, passed by the National Assembly on August 7, 2013 and assented to by the then President on November 6, 2013.
Although hopeful, the minister explained that this ‘100 days’ naming of a date for the elections to be held, is still a “preferred date.”
However, the possibility of events “conspiring” against this plan was not ruled out.
To this end, Mr. Bulkan disclosed that an “outside date” for this election to be held, should the ‘100 days’ plan fail, is before Guyana celebrates its 50th independence anniversary next year.
Prior to the change in Guyana’s Government on May 12, Local Government Elections had attracted the attention of the diplomatic corps, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and civil society, who had all staged protests against the then Government’s failure to hold these elections.
Local government elections have not been held since 1994.

By Ravin Singh