Dear Editor
THE nation and people of Guyana, are now less than two days away from what is considered its most important national elections, in its entire historical life as an independent nation. The introduction of proportional representation since its introduction in 1964, has become the electoral barometer for parliamentary representation, no other election campaign since, has emitted more social tension and stress, than that which will take place, March 02, 2020.

And since the background of what has obtained, leading up to this groundbreaking constitutional exercise is well known, there will be no repeat here; except to state that there are some observations which should be made as to the mode of campaign.

In the history of the English-speaking Caribbean, there has been no election campaign, conducted by any known contesting political party, particularly an opposition, that has been conducted on the bedrock of absolute lies, lies, and more lies, than the now closing one, by the PPP/C. It has been an exercise which core content has lacked any discernible definition for what is intended to be policies for presentation to constituents for consideration. At best, it has been delivered in blunder and bluster, for there has been no genuine intent in the formulation of what can be concluded as hodge-podge, and outright plagiarism from already delivered policies by the coalition government. Add to the deliberately , orchestrated fake news and misinformation, and the ever recklessness of appeal to race, and we have had the classic dirty political campaign, for its fraudulent attempt at hoodwinking the people, even its own supporters, into believing an opposition party which can only be adjudicated on its disastrous track record of twenty-three years of criminal government; which converted Guyana into a pariah, and the most criminally corrupted in the history of the Caribbean Community(CARICOM).

What is significant about this opposition is that, even its defeat and almost five years in the political wilderness, there has been no discernible change in its public profile, which remains the same as its former tenure – the arrogance of power, inherent of desecration of the Rule of Law; outright discrimination and marginalization of a section of society, and other venalities which have been repeated ad nauseam. In essence, this is the record against which the PPP/C opposition must be adjudged, and on which citizens will have to decide.

It stands to reason, that such an opposition which had been in the seat of government for over two decades, and which has no moral right to be considered for government, much less the exercise of political power, and being entrusted with the mandate of the people, which it had betrayed, by policies which benefitted and enriched only the selected few, apart from its brutal record of human rights..

For the government, it has been about defending its record of solid achievements, with its numerous examples of socio-economic projects that have been impacting positive changes in the lives of citizens and their communities, across the ten administrative regions.

Significantly, theirs have been a campaign, in defence of its national development record, already achieved and undisputed, which has evidenced renewal and transformative changes that have brought quality changes to communities, inclusive of those of PPP/C supporters without fear or favour. Of great significance, has been the gradual reduction of the mental distance between hinterland and coastland, in bringing the same level of socio-economic development opportunities to a well deserving people and their vast, but underdeveloped geographic space. And this has been through an all-encompassing programme of development which is removing the hinterland from its traditional milieu of enforced servitude and subsistence living to one of sustainable living and development.

Unlike the former regime which programmes of governance were never about Guyana and all its people, and their future course of development – the coalition’s has been inclusive, as it is about all geographic areas, and all their peoples. At best, it is visionary because its proposed policies is now to build on the solid foundation already laid during its first term which will catapult Guyana into the status of a modern developed country.

Of course, the government has a detailed plan, of its announced Decade of Development, which execution will be carried, utilizing the financial resources which will come from the already emergent oil and gas economy. Guyana awaits a second term, which promises so much. Guyana and its citizens have witnessed a government, which is led by a man, a president who embodies the natural qualities of a leader, par excellence – of high uncompromising integrity, impeccable morality, who believes in the sanctity of the family, respect for women, and upholding the laws of Guyana and the rights of citizens.

It is this man, who has resurrected a country from its knees of suppression by its former regime; restored its dignity civil liberties; instituting governance with programmes for the benefit of all Guyana and its people, giving leadership in the face of its most severe challenges, and whose visionary blueprint for a country which will mean ensuring the GOOD LIFE FOR ALL Based on its record he choice can be easily made whom we should support on March 02.

Regards
Mark Da Costa