TODAY will go down as one of the most historic ones in the annals of our history

as it marks the 20th anniversary of the restoration of free and fair elections and democracy bringing to an end nearly three decades of a dark period characterised by blatantly rigged elections and economic destruction and dictatorship.
The struggle for the restoration of free and fair elections and democracy was a long, hard and epic one led by the indomitable Dr Cheddi Jagan and his People’s Progressive Party (PPP).
Initially it was the PPP which virtually fought alone but as the struggle intensified other political forces such as the Working People’s Alliance led by Dr Walter Rodney, the Liberator Party led by Dr Ganraj Kumar and the Democratic Labour Movement led by Paul Tennesse joined in the fight. This led eventually to the formation of joint front called the Patriotic Coalition for Democracy (PCD).
It was by no means an easy road to October 5, 1992. During the 28-year dictatorship, we saw political activists killed, jailed on trump up charges and harassment of opposition political activists, unleashing of terror, suppression of press freedom and denial of basic human rights.
We saw PPP activists Jagan Ramessar and Bholanauth Parmand killed by the security forces; we saw WPA’s Winston Dublin and Dr. Walter Rodney assassinated; we saw Catholic Priest, Father Bernard Darke murdered in broad daylight; we saw Rabbi Washington’s House of Israel thugs beat and unleashed terror on opposition forces; we saw PPP’s Arnold Rampersaud on a trumped up murder charge facing three trials and spending over 1,000 days in prison and being severely tortured, we saw scores being hounded and charged with treason; we saw WPA leaders being charged with arson for the burning down of the infamous Ministry of National Development and Mobilisation which housed the Office Of the General Secretary of the People’s National Congress; we saw the doctrine of the Paramountcy of the Party being entrenched, and the PNC Flag being flown over the Courts including the Court of Appeal; we saw 52 bauxite workers thrown into a cell and teargassed; we saw a veteran trade union leader threateaned with being thrown out of an aircraft while airborne. The list could go on. But such was the state of our country during that dark period.
So the road to October 5 was an extremely difficult one which many had given up on, but the indomitable and determined Cheddi Jagan never lost hope nor the will to win. And stood to his famous and prophetic words in his book “The West On Trial” where he said: “The struggle will be long and hard. But win we must. Win we will.”
The struggle was significantly boosted when it took an international flavour with leading global personalities and organisations and the Guyanese diaspora joined in the battle. The end of the Cold War also helped the cause tremendously.
The PPP sought the services of the US Paul Reichler law firm to lobby leading US Congressmen including Senator Edward Kennedy to push the US government towards applying pressure on the PNC government to agree on free and fair elections which they stoutly resisted. Former US President Jimmy Carter and his Centre also played a crucial role in ensuring a return to free and fair elections.
Admirers of former President Desmond Hoyte seek to erroneously credit him with the restoration of free and fair elections which is a blatant attempt to distort history. These admirers conveniently forget that Hoyte resisted counting of ballots at the place of poll to the very end, describing it as a logistical nightmare. It was only when Mr. Carter came here and twisted his arm did he agree on this issue. These admirers also conveniently forget that Hoyte unleashed his “dogs of war” when the PPP was declared the victor, and GECOM Chairman Rudy Collins, a decent professional of impeccable integrity was injured. Fortunately, the injuries were not life long.
It was only after Mr. Carter and US government told him sternly to call off his “dogs of war” the violence stopped. But even then he threatened to make the country ungovernable and boasted that the new PPP government would not last two years. Today the government is 20 years old!
Many have forgotten too that the most blatantly rigged election was in 1985 under Hoyte’s stewardship. It was during this election when PNC thugs at Haslington beat up and harassed British journalist, Tony Jenkins and when Dr. Jagan intervened on his behalf guns were pressed into his back and he was kicked down the stairs of Haslington Primary School.
One of the ironies of the PPP’s victory on October 5, 1992 is that it is the same US which helped to bring down the then PPP government, helped it regain office on this occasion and former adviser to President John F. Kennedy apologised for his role in bringing down the PPP government in 1964 stating: I am sorry for what I did. I did a grave injustice to Dr Jagan and the Guyanese people.”
Another irony is that some who were vigorously opposed to the dictatorship and were colleagues of the slain WPA leader Dr Walter Rodney are today in the same bed with those responsible for his death and the countless atrocities perpetrated against the Guyanese people.
However, it was so unfortunate that Dr Jagan could not have even completed one term in office as ill hate took away the revered leader.
But fortunately he nurtured an army of followers who are able to carry on his legacy in very difficult and trying times in an admirable manner.