AS a Guyanese living in Guyana for the past 30-odd years, and one who has never left these shores to reside in a foreign land, I wish to add my voice to the ongoing discussion in the daily newspapers as it relates to overseas-based Guyanese and their right to vote in the local polls.
I wish to say that the right to vote should be extended to all Guyanese, whether living in or out of Guyana. The constitution provides for this and as such Guyanese living in foreign lands should not be denied the right to exercise their franchise.
The constitution states that every Guyanese over the age of 18 irrespective of their place of domicile has the right to cast their ballot, and until this constitutionally enshrined right is repealed then that’s the way the cookie crumbles.
I think it is pretty clear that Mr. Ralph Ramkarran, through which the issue was initially raised, was expressing his personal sentiments on the topic, but for that to be taken out of context and put forth in terms as it has been recently in the press, is quite misguiding. The restriction of overseas voting is apparent to all Guyanese; the abuse of the process and the rampant rigging.
However I am for the restoration of this process with far more oversight and professionalism in place.  But I recently read that the present administration and the ruling party have not discussed its restoration and no decision has been made.
I am also aware that some people are disturbed by this notion, citing their own decision to stay in Guyana and endure the hardships, but I would like to point out that the majority of the locally based Guyanese population has relatives overseas who work hard and provide financially or otherwise to their livelihood. This I think is a form of giving back to their sovereign country.
Almost all Guyanese residing in foreign lands help in some way to build and shape this country, either through remittances, food and clothing for families and the less fortunate, or through charitable works (monetary donations and otherwise) right in Guyana.
To deny these persons a right that is provided for in the constitution is unconstitutional.   While I am cognizant of the difficulties inherent in such an undertaking, it is one that must be addressed so as to allow people that want to have a say in the land of their birth to be given such.
I am sure not every Tom, Dick and Harripaul will want to exercise this right, but those that want to remain a part of the fabric of this beautiful land of ours should be given the chance.  It is widely known that we (Guyanese) are a deeply patriotic people; some may have left the land of their forebears in search of advancements in the First World, but that does not mean that they have given up their birth-right.