AFTER an absence of many years, Guyana could have a return to local democracy via the ballots and fairly elected councillors.Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo so opined on Friday, after exercising his franchise as a citizen by voting in the Local Government Elections (LGE). Having voted at the National Aquatic Centre at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, the Prime Minister disclosed: “It is a great day for Guyana, because, after many years, we’re holding Local Government Elections”.

This is the third time Guyana is holding Local Government Elections since gaining Independence, and the Prime Minister deemed it a “tremendous achievement”.

With the process of voting being an easy one, the Prime Minister urged citizens to vote for whomever they deem fit to represent their communities as councillors. “They (citizens) must exercise their franchise, because this election is based on a majority principle; and if you don’t vote, somebody else will vote in order to make up the majority,” the Prime Minister said.

Asked about his views on the poor turnout so far, the Prime Minister said: “It is a casualty of a fall in the interest of Local Government Elections, given that it was not held for over two decades.”

He is, however, optimistic that Guyanese will regain interest in this aspect of our democracy in due time.