US AMBASSADOR Brent Hardt is hopeful that Guyana will, this year, have local government elections after a 19-year hiatus.

As he welcomed Chief of Party for the Guyana Leadership and Democracy Project (LEAD), Mr. Glenn Bradbury, at a reception held in his honour last Wednesday evening at the Cara Lodge in Quamina Street, Georgetown, the ambassador said he had heard from all stakeholders and all parties on how important it was for Guyana to hold local government elections.
He said the National Assembly is poised to approve legislation that would pave the way for local government elections and a restoration of local governance; and he referred to a well-known letter writer who commented on the importance of this step, observing “we want our neighbourhoods fixed; we want our communities to have a real say; and we want strong, new, young leaders (who are) committed to their communities, and we want a strong local government system in place to enhance economic, political and social advancement.”
Ambassador Hardt said that all parties at all levels have shared with him over the past year their desire for, and commitment to, local elections and local governance; and he sincerely hopes that the parties can come together to approve in the National Assembly legislation that would pave the way for local government elections to be held this year.
He pointed out that he stands ready, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the International Republic Institute (IRI) for advancing democracy worldwide programme to work with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and other stakeholders to boost public knowledge of the election process, the role of local government, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens and elected officials.