Today marks the 19th anniversary of one of the most historic events in the annals of this country , as it was on this date that the dreaded and dark era of rigged elections came to an end and the dawn of a new era in which democracy was ushered in.

Most Guyanese were euphoric as nearly three decades of dictatorial rule ended and a government of the people’s choice was elected for the first time in 28 years.

But even at the last moment concerted efforts were made by the reactionary forces to maintain the old order as they mustered their goons and thugs who created mayhem. Many were injured including the then Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, Mr. Rudy Collins.

Fortunately, former US President Jimmy Carter called on the author of the mayhem to call off his “dogs of war” and eventually law and order were restored, paving the way for the duly elected People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government and the President, Dr. Cheddi Jagan to be installed.

It was not an easy road to October 5, 1992. In fact, it was a persistent, patient and resilient struggle which was led by the PPP under the dynamic leadership of Dr. Jagan.

It would be recalled that after the first rigged elections in 1968, the PPP was the lone voice which challenged the electoral results and presented irrefutable evidence that elections were rigged.

The PPP produced documented evidence exposing the abuse of proxy and postal voting and the prevention of thousands of its supporters from exercising their franchise.

Overseas voting was also permitted for the first time and this was one of the major instruments that were used to massively rig the elections. This was vividly exposed by the making of two documentary films by the Granada Television Company- ‘The Making of a Prime Minister’ and ‘The Trail of Vanishing Voters’ which showed horses grazing in a pasture but, according to the bogus voters’ list, it was the home of several electors. Dr. Jagan attempted to bring in the films to the country but they were seized by the security forces at the airport. From 1968 to 1973, when the next general election was held, the PPP alone continued the struggle for free and fair elections.

The 1973 election turned out to be a tragedy, as two PPP activists were fatally shot by the army at No.64 Village on the Corentyne when they tried to prevent the ballot boxes from being taken away by the army before the ballots were counted.

Guyanese must never forget that Jagan Ramessar and Bholanauth Parmanand made the ultimate sacrifice in the struggle for the restoration of free and fair elections.

The then Prime Minister ordered the security forces to shoot to kill and the slogan for the ruling party was ‘The Year of the Break Through’ but instead turned to be ‘The Year of the Break Through of the Ballot Boxes’ because it was one of the most blatantly rigged elections which also brought disaster and tremendous agony.

It was after the 1973 election that other political forces joined in the struggle for free and fair elections, particularly with the return of Dr. Walter Rodney and the formation of his Working People’s Alliance (WPA). Unfortunately, he was assassinated and from thereon the WPA, which was vibrant, disintegrated steadily and today is a defunct force.

In 1978, when the next election was due, a bogus referendum was held to have a new constitution. As such, the election was held in 1980 and as expected was rigged again. However, there was a minor victory this time around. Surprisingly, the government allowed a team of observers headed by Lord Avebury who described the Elections Commission as a “toothless poodle,” acknowledging that the election was rigged.

With the demise of President L.F.S Burnham an election was held under his successor Desmond Hoyte and was rigged even more blatantly under his predecessor and on this occasion, there was a nasty and dangerous incident. Dr. Jagan, who had gone to the rescue of British journalist Anthony Jenkins, was kicked down the steps of the Haslington Primary School by PNC thugs who placed a gun in his back.

This was a most provocative act but Dr. Jagan, being the patriotic and responsible person he was, asked his supporters to stay calm.
Between 1985 and the next election due in 1990, the struggle for free and fair elections picked up tremendous momentum, and this of course was aided by the end of the Cold War. It is poignant to note that several countries and other forces which were silent during rigged elections now denounced it strongly.
The Guyanese diaspora in North America and Europe also helped tremendously to galvanise support for free elections.

The PPP also hired the Paul Reichler law firm to help lobby the support of US Congressmen and the US government and the Carter Centre headed by President Jimmy Carter.

This was successful and several Congressmen, including the late Edward Kennedy and the Carter Centre became directly involved in the process of ensuring free and fair elections.

However, the election was held in 1992 because of a list, dubbed the Jacobs’ list, which was riddled with inaccuracies and as such a new one had to be prepared.

It was agreed to have international observers and all other demands by the PPP and other opposition forces, except for the vital reform of counting the ballots at the place of poll.

President Hoyte stoutly resisted this, describing it as a logistical nightmare, but somersaulted when President Carter arrived in Guyana. And so, at long last, after 28 years, the right to choose a government of their choice was once again restored after a long and hard struggle and tremendous sacrifice by hundreds of thousands of Guyanese.

Therefore, the victory of restoring free and fair elections is not only one of the PPP but the entire Guyanese people. This is something the Guyanese people must cherish and never allow it to slip out of their grip again.
It is not that Guyanese should be stuck with the past, but they must never forget where they came from for those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it.