GENERAL Secretary of the ruling Peoples Progressive Party (PPP), Mr Clement Rohee, yesterday addressed the issue of general and local government elections, contending that while the party is ready, the call to initiate these processes is a “political judgment” call and is dependent on the ‘mood’ of the Guyanese people.

Speaking at the party’s weekly news conference at Freedom House in Robb Street, Rohee said: “This is a question of timing, judgment call and what the mood is. The party may be ready, as a party, including it machinery, but that doesn’t mean that we are an electioneering party.
“You have to take timing, the mood of the people; and at the end of the day, it’s a judgment call and these are censures which politicians are attuned to before making such a call…we are trying our best to negotiate this country’s future as delicately and as skilfully as we can.”

He acknowledged the recent comments made by the leaders of the opposition parties on the necessity of calling elections as a way to end the political impasse currently pervading the National Assembly.

Rohee said: “Mr. Granger and Mr. Ramjattan (are) claiming that elections are not the way forward. I think that’s because they are not ready for elections…They are not ready for election, that’s why they are saying that. We are! I have always maintained the People’s Progressive Party is ready for any one of the elections: local government, national or regional election.”

GROWING MOOD
According to Rohee, there is a “growing mood” for the calling of elections. “I would say that there is a growing mood in that direction for either of the two elections. I think people are now… prepared for any of the two elections…. As I move around the country, what people say is that even if you have local government elections, it wouldn’t solve these problems that we have here.”

Rohee added that, during his visits around the country, the consensus from many people is that there is need for the big issues that challenge the nation to be addressed.

He said: “I am getting the distinct impression that because it is more re-enforcing, not to underestimate the thinking of people and the big, ticking issue. More and more people are of the view that we need to solve the bigger issue.

“The local government issue will sort out some of the local government problems. They have no doubt about that, but it is amazing how people are thinking about the big issues.

“…people are more educated now and they know the implication of the big issues verses the implications of the smaller issues (I am just using those two words for convenience). I don’t mean local government is a small issue, so to speak, but the people know that it is these big issues that will determine a lot for them.”
Rohee underscored the fact that since the ruling party assumed office in 1992, it has not been “easy fielding,” There has been a fight at every stage of Guyana’s advance.

“When we have a fairly good judgmental call and a good feel of the pulse of the people in connection with that kind of sentiment, then the machinery which I claim is always ready must go in sync with the people’s mood and disposition; and then you will know that you are ready,” Rohee maintained.

General elections were last hosted in November 2011. Local government elections were not held in Guyana since 1994. Prior to that, local government elections were last held in 1970. Subsequent to 1994, the elections could not be conducted because they coincided with the general and regional elections of 1997. The House has passed the Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendment) Bill 2013, which states that elections must be held on or before August 1, 2014.

The August date was made via an amendment to the bill proposed by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) while the House was in Committee.

(By Vanessa Narine)