Campaign on issues not race

Dear Editor
WITH the signing of the proclamation, the die has been cast; the “constitutional experts’’ and other types who would have consistently labelled this government ‘illegal’ and in breach of the Constitution, have all been silenced. The fact that must be re-emphasised here, as well as reminded, is that all that has taken place leading up to this very important and decisive juncture had been part of a process that commenced with the no-confidence motion (NCM), its aftermath involving the principals, and not an exclusionary position for any of the main political actors, as somehow had been conveniently and dishonestly peddled.

In this milieu, that has come about for reasons which are now all too very well known, and which occupies a place of ignominy in our nation’s page of political infamy, but which will not be repeated — the constitutional role of the Guyana elections Commission(GECOM) has been upheld, despite the unfair demands and efforts from those who sought to force it into actions which were contrary to its constitutional mandate of being allowed to prepare the nation in accordance with its statutes, for elections.

It was even astonishing that the attacks on this electoral body could have commenced just after the chairperson had been sworn in. How could this have been, when this constitutional body had to await a new chairperson? One can even ask, how could this constitutional body have been expected to prepare for a national election in three months, in the wake of an NCM, when its electoral mechanism did not cater for such a legislative fallout and some commissioners were continually walking out, further stymieing the commission’s work programme?

But GECOM has stayed the course, adhering to its constitutional dignity, and supported by a government, determined that the national body’s independence is safeguarded and upheld. The rest is history. GECOM has set the national electoral process, by no means completed, in motion.

And so, attention must now be focused on the election campaign, carried out by all the parties, inclusive of the two traditional principals.
It has already been said that this is the “mother of all elections,” since it is about oil and gas, the biggest prize in the nation’s political history, and that which party succeeds at the polls will be tasked with the responsibility as to how its proceeds will be transacted for the benefit of the country and its people. Be it as it may, there ought to be a proper election campaign, one which both major political groups, the incumbent coalition government and the PPP/C, in addition to the others, whoever they may be, must be able to present

manifestos with realistic and sensible programmes for the electorate to consider. In other words, it is emphasised that the forthcoming national elections, because of the high stakes which are involved, must witness a higher quality of electoral appeal, which must capture the imagination of constituents, sparking debate among them. This means, rather than seeing race, constituents must be able to discern issues and be informed by them before gleaning the facts for consideration. And this must come from political leaders and not the demogogues whose forte of appeal to race brings nothing of national worth/value to an election campaign, except further division for a country that needs to be united for the benefit of all.

It is very well understood that these elections are being held at the most challenging time and against the backdrop of a deeply divided society. It is for this reason that we caution those political leaders with a known history of appealing to ethnic fears and other related insecurities as a means of garnering support, to desist from such narrow, parochial, dangerous and unenlightened tactics which can only add to an already undesirable and incendiary environment. Such political persona, reckless, self-serving, and filled with portents that agitate ethnic hate, cannot claim to be a national political leader of any kind.

No country that is on the verge of its greatest national economic moment must allow the iniquity of race to be part of its electoral hustings, for the grave danger that it can/will pose for the meaningful utilisation of such proceeds towards offering the good life for all.
Regards
Rovin Singh

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