Pull Quote: ‘…as we ensure compliance with the legal and constitutional frameworks, we also must make certain that no person becomes disenfranchised. In order to sustain the democratic right to vote, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) supports a reopening of the Claims and Objections period; the main opposition parties do not’

Pull Quote: ‘The opposition parties’ arguments are fortuitous, and are not evidence-based. One of their reasons for opposing this measure is that they believe that the PPP/C wants to delay the holding of elections beyond the constitutional deadline of December 28’
THE U.S. Supreme Court in Reynolds v. Sims in 1964 ruled that the democratic right to vote is an “inalienable right,” where the humiliation of that right makes a person “that much less a citizen.” And here in Guyana, thousands of people are being disenfranchised for the upcoming 2011 national elections. And this is happening through no fault of their own. Every person eligible to vote must be afforded the right to vote; this is the foundation of democracy.
And one measure to make this a reality is the reopening of the Claims and Objections period for a particularly short time, which ensures that the election date is in compliance with the constitutional deadline of December 28.
It is clear that any perusal of national registration matters as a prelude to the impending national elections will reveal a maldistribution of ID cards, which creates the real possibility of disenfranchisement for thousands of persons eligible to vote.
This brings us to the existing constitutional norms and the regulatory electoral framework for this election, as they pertain to the critical dates, with the view to assessing whether there could be any breach of the constitutional deadline for holding elections. Here are these dates:
September 30: As of now, this is the current qualifying date to determine who would be 18 years and over to vote. Another point of importance with September 30 has to do with the list of electors; the validity of the life of this official list of electors is three months from September 30.
December 28 is the constitutional deadline for the holding of elections.  You will recall that after the 2006 Elections, Parliament first met on September 28, 2006, and so constitutionally, elections are due within three months of this date, thus December 28 is the constitutional deadline for the holding of the 2011 elections.
Also, Nomination Day is 30 days prior to Election Day; President Bharrat Jagdeo, at some point, will announce the national election date.
And as we ensure compliance with the legal and constitutional frameworks, we also must make certain that no person becomes disenfranchised. In order to sustain the democratic right to vote, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) supports a reopening of the Claims and Objections period; the main opposition parties do not.
The opposition parties’ arguments are fortuitous, and are not evidence-based. One of their reasons for opposing this measure is that they believe that the PPP/C wants to delay the holding of elections beyond the constitutional deadline of December 28. As previously mentioned here, reopening the claims and objections over a short period is hardly likely to breach the constitutional deadline.
The Opposition also believes that such reopening could tarnish the image of GECOM at the 2011 elections. Again, such remarks cast aspersions on the capacity, professionalism, and autonomy of GECOM to address exigencies of the situation on electoral matters.
The hallmark of sound organizational behaviour is to have the capacity to respond to unanticipated and latent developments pertaining to the organization’s functions and responsibilities; ensuring that all stakeholders are satisfied with the due process at work and that their rights are sustained.
We must not forget that the prolonged cry for democracy in this beloved country in 1992 gained dividends with the victory of the PPP/C. And from October 5, 1992, democracy began to take foothold in Guyana, where today, it has become even stronger, albeit a work in progress.
Undoubtedly, the trajectory of democracy continues to gain momentum because the PPP/C believes in instituting social progress among the dispossessed and the disadvantaged. With democracy comes political maturity, which then brings forth progressive nation-building. Disenfranchising people hurts progressive nation-building; and a  party that contributes to disenfranchisement is less of a political party.
And sometimes we forget where this story of democracy became institutionalized. The former President of Guyana Dr. Cheddi Jagan was a stubborn fighter for Independence, and was among the first few pioneers in consolidating the struggle against colonial domination.
This novelty of Independence as a progressive idea appeared in 1945 in a Dr. Cheddi Jagan’s pamphlet ‘COOPERATIVE WAY’, in which he said: 
“It therefore behoves the working class people to get control of government through their constitutional ballots in our forthcoming election, with a view towards complete independence. A free and independent Guiana can easily cooperate and eventually federate with her Latin neighbours, especially Brazil.”
In 1945, Jagan spoke about the ballot box and the growth of democracy.
To continue this story of democracy, the birth of the PPP in 1950 engaged in unrelenting agitation for Independence and its primary demands included universal adult suffrage and a fully elected legislature. This vehement campaign for which the PPP is well known drew the ire of British planters, thereby quickening the creation of the Waddington Commission, which conceded to the PPP’s significant demands.
And the PPP’s long and hard struggle against colonial hegemony brought home the bacon in the form of Universal Adult Suffrage (the right to vote without any distinction) one person, one vote. 
The year 1953 witnessed Guyana’s first election under Universal Adult Suffrage. All Guyanese were enfranchised. Let us develop the will to eliminate any disenfranchisement vis-à-vis the reopening of the Claims and Objections period.