THE President’s assent to three of the four local government bills is an indication of his support, on behalf of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), towards having those elections soon, according to General Secretary of the ruling party, Clement Rohee.

And Rohee said the joint opposition should use the President’s non assent as an opportunity to undo the errors contained in the fourth bill, which was not assented to.
The four local government reform bills are the Fiscal Transfers Bill 2012, the Municipal and District Councils (Amendment) Bill 2012, the Local Government Commission Bill, and the Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2012.
The latter was not signed by President Donald Ramotar as he termed the Bill unconstitutional, since it seeks to remove ministerial control over local authorities.
The PPP General Secretary stressed that the original provisions of the bill recommended that the Neighbourhood Democratic Council benefit from the task force’s recommendations. He made it clear that the task force’s recommendations were a result of consultations that ought not be thrown out the window for political reasons.
Rohee also lauded the work of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) in getting underway with preparations for the hosting of local government elections.
Following passage of the four bills, GECOM Chairman Dr. Steve Surujbally said the Commission was fully equipped and ready to stage the elections. He said GECOM has already demarcated the various boundaries and constituencies, a total of 71 districts; and each of these areas has been targeted for voters’ education.
The GECOM Chairman also noted that the Commission has support from foreign donors to cover its Budget.
Rohee pointed out that the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, on behalf of the Government, has also been hosting seminars and workshops with relevant stakeholders in an effort to promote education.
Other activities are scheduled for this month.
The General Secretary made it clear that the People’s Progressive Party continues to monitor other initiatives in the preparation for local government elections, which have not been held in Guyana since 1994.
Local government elections were last held in 1970. Subsequent to 1994, the elections could not be conducted because they had coincided with the general and regional elections of 1997.

(By Vanessa Narine)