FOLLOWING the uprising in Tunisia and Egypt, where ordinary citizens took to the streets demanding drastic democratic reforms and regime change, many local pundits and self proclaimed political science experts have begun pontificating. The thrust of their argument is that conditions in Guyana also provide for such an uprising and that this may just be over the horizon. Let us examine this fallacy. Wikipedia defines dictatorship as follows; ‘An autocratic form of government in which the government is ruled by one individual, the dictator’.
Following the assassination of President Sadat in 1981 by army officers opposed to his signing of the Egypt–Israel Peace Treaty, Hosni Mubarak became the President of the Arabic Republic of Egypt, and the Chairman of the National Democratic Party (NDP). He has been president for almost 30 years.

For most of its history as an independent state, Tunisia has lacked political freedom and has seen the violation of human rights. Because of this, presidential elections in Tunisia, such as that of 2009, have lacked international credibility, with elections dominated by the ruling party, the Constitutional Democratic Rally and its previous incarnations as the Neo Destour party and the Socialist Destourian Party. Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali was forced to step down after 23 years in power.

This one-man decades-old rule is something that has come to characterize the Middle Eastern political landscape.
Now, let us examine Guyana. Since 1992 this country has embraced drastic democratic reforms which have seen, first and foremost, the delivery of free and fair elections. Unlike Egypt and Tunisia, Guyanese have had, and continue to have the power and freedom to choose their president and government. All presidents are now limited to two terms. Every election since 1992 has been certified as free and fair by the international community. Guyana has an independent judiciary, free press and freedom of speech. The rulings from the court are not influenced by political manipulation. The very content and nature of the Stabroek and Kaieteur News in particular are  clear indications of press freedom. Internet is available to all who can afford it, with absolutely no government restrictions.  Once again this year, Guyanese will go to the polls to choose a government of their choice. Where is the dictatorship?