In election year…
CHAIRMAN of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) Bishop Juan Edghill said, Tuesday, that the ERC will be closely monitoring all political party members, broadcast and newspaper entities, during this election year.
He told a media briefing, at his Peter Rose Street, Queenstown, Georgetown headquarters, that the reason is to guard against the incitement of Guyanese citizens. “Everything that is said in public spaces, whether on television, radio, at meetings or rallies, the ERC will be monitoring to ensure that the content is no way
inciting or exciting racism and to see that there is no vilification of people’s religions or that the country is not divided as a result of those actions, in keeping with the
constitutional mandate,” Edghill explained.
He said the ERC has already started to monitor but, so far, there have been no cases of this happening. But, if it is done, those persons who are responsible will be held
accountable by the commission.
“Just what we did in 2006, follow the rules of engagement, the Representation of the People’s Act and there are penalties designated and a process that needs to be
followed,” Edghill stated.
He indicated that, if any member of a political party makes a statement that is inappropriate, its General-Secretary will be required to take that individual to the ERC to
deal with the matter.
Following the presentation of the individual, if the political party claims the person is acting in a personal capacity and there is proof that the statement is any way
inciting, then penalties will be imposed.
FINED
“The political party will be fined and the Representation of the People’s Act says that half a million dollars must be paid, immediately and the party member could be
prevented, even if the person wins the majority of votes for the position being contested, from taking the office. This is what the laws of Guyana say,” Edghill pointed out.
He said at least 60 persons are being trained to act as monitors and will be deployed throughout the country as the election campaigning intensifies.
In addition, a media monitoring unit has been established and a commissioner appointed to watch over it and analyse the various television discussions and newspaper
articles.
“We are in an election year and we have to behave responsibly and that is why we are having our first public lecture on January 27 at the University of Guyana Tain Campus,
which will be televised live and we will be dealing with the laws of discrimination, the Racial Hostility Act and the Representation of the People’s Act,” Edghill stated.
He said when those pieces of legislation are dealt with, the prospective candidates and members of the public will be educated.