DAYS after its chairman, Nigel Hughes declared that national parties have no place in local government elections, the Alliance For Change on Thursday called on all eligible Guyanese to participate fully in the polls, while noting that an effective local government system can redound only to the strengthening of democracy at the national level.“The AFC notes that many persons including some of its members will be contesting these elections under an independent banner. This is their right. As a Party that has a proud tradition of fighting and upholding all human rights, the AFC will respect the rights of those members who have opted to put themselves forward to be elected, whether as an individual for a constituency or as part of an independent group,” the party said in its statement. “The Alliance For Change encourages all persons and groups contesting the elections to campaign with fervor but to also respect the right of others to so do. After waiting for more than a decade to have local government elections, it is time for all Guyanese to demonstrate maturity by ensuring these elections are peaceful and without intimidation.”

Speaking at the launch of the Bartica Independent Green Alliance (BIGA) party on Tuesday at TTS-CH5 Compound, 1st Avenue, Bartica, Hughes said national parties have no place in Local Government Elections (LGE) contending that if any politician says to a citizen they are splitting the votes, “ask them which votes are you splitting since at the local level every single citizen is represented.”

BIGA will be running for Bartica’s nine constituencies and is only aiming to look at the interest of developing Bartica into a green town as proposed by President David Granger. The party has no plans to graduate to national politics. Hughes said local parties aim to represent each and every citizen in the county and citizens should not be intimidated by loose talks from politicians about what Central Government would and would not do since that section of governance already has its mandate.

Stating that he is present at the launch as a citizen and not as a representative of any party, Hughes said “unless you control your own mind and you are truly free to think and act as you see fit, you are not independent, that doesn’t only apply nationally from the queen, but it applies at the local level because unless you act and think in your own best interest, then you will never be in control of your own destiny.”

He said each and every presentation made at the launch was a testimony towards what the people of Bartica truly stands for since it was intelligent, innovative, community-based and futuristic. “I have heard the best exposition and articulation of a vision for a community here in Bartica and I have campaigned throughout this country…” he noted. In offering his recommendation to complete the plans for Bartica, Hughes said that a museum should be set up for the rich history of the community which has experienced many sacrifices throughout its development