ON Saturday, a Code of Conduct created by the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) was signed by a number of political parties contesting the June 12 Local Government Elections (LGEs), except the country’s main opposition party, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).
The Main Opposition’s failure to participate in the activity resulted in several parties and independent candidates questioning their genuine intentions for the upcoming elections.
The whole purpose to having a Code in place is so as to ensure that the remaining period of the campaign is free of ethnic division, discrimination, hate speech, incitement and provocation, and according to ERC Chairman Sheik Moeen Ul Hack, the reason organisation has chosen to extend the signing period is to accommodate those who were a “no-show”.
The parties signed the Code at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, in the presence of the Commission’s members, members of the diplomatic corps, and international observers, among other dignitaries.

The Chairman stated that signing onto the Code of Conduct has enormous significance for the ERC as well as the political parties and independent candidates, and underscored the point that the crucial document helps to advance the best interest of the country and its people.
“It is the first time that the Ethnic Relations Commission would be initiating such signing for Local Government Elections,” its Mr. Ul Hack said, adding:
“As a Commission, we firmly believe that as a constitutional body birthed out of political discord and one that is entrusted with the promotion of harmony and good relations, among other responsibilities, such an endeavor as this signing, becomes absolutely necessary.”

The parties which signed the Code were: Destiny to Oneness, signed by its leader Yenchandra Rambarran; Greenwich Park/Vergenoegen Community Enhancement Group, signed by its leader Ewin Nurse; Guyana National Service Party, signed by its leader Oral Semple; Juliet Patricia Julian, signed by its candidate deputy, Juliet Lemar Williams; Movement for Unity, signed by its General Secretary Denzel St Hill; People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), signed by its executive secretary Zulifikar Mustapha; along with independent candidates, Edward Persaud, Mark France, Aaron Blackman, Mark Isaac, Robert Bostwick, Shazam Ally and Krishna Subrian.

Speaking with the Sunday Chronicle, PPP/C’s Mr. Zulfikar Mustapha commended the exercise, and added that his party has always prioritised proper conduct in order to preserve peace and harmony.
“We as a party suffered before, when our campaign material and other meetings were disturbed… So, we are in full agreement with the ERC to promote good relations to campaign in a civil manner…”
Onix Duncan, an independent candidate running in the Beterverwagting/Triumph area, praised the effort and said that the rules aid in fostering peace and security. Duncan asserted that his goal for Local Government Elections (LGEs) is to improve his community of Beterverwagting.

“I think everybody should understand what the ERC is trying to do…To give people the opportunity to step back a little and you know, focus on the good and not always hate.”
Additionally, Krishan Subrian, another independent candidate, declared that everyone should support this exercise and what the ERC is trying to accomplish. He expressed disappointment in the main Opposition not showing up to sign onto the code.
“Their [the Opposition] silence and absence are quite noticeable and visible,” Subrian asserted.