THERE are names in this country that have quietly gone out of the limelight. The people behind these names are unassuming personalities that just want to get on with their lives and not be seen in the pubic eyes. But these Guyanese have played such important roles in the 20th century and the 21st century that we should always remember them.

We must never forget them and when we step into a polling booth to vote and we voted and our vote is counted, we must acknowledge the direct role they played in this country’s assertion of its right to have the freedom to choose leaders of our choice. I never sought wealth and spent 26 years in public service at UG where my salary was very modest.
But I always say to myself and I will continue to say it, if I had wealth, I would put some of it in avenues that would allow for the indelible printing of the names of many superlative Guyanese whose bravery, patriotism, nationalist embrace, adherence to principles and ethics, and basic human decency have allowed Guyana to be a free country.

I would take that money and award meaningful scholarships in the name of those whose priceless contributions to Guyana should be permanently recorded. I do not know where to start because there have been so many that I have interfaced with and know at a deep level the importance in character that they have brought to this nation.
We are sixteen months away from a general election and as the months move closer to that mark, there are two names the young people of this country should know and always remember. One is Rudy Collins, the Chairman of GECOM in the 1992 election. Here are the words in the book, “Justice: The Struggle For Democracy in Guyana, 1952-1992,” by Father Andrew Morrison: “It was a little short of a miracle that the 1992 elections were held at all. Few were aware of how close and how often these elections came to be scuttled or once again branded fraudulent.”

I saw the efforts to derail that election because I was in the command centre of GECOM. I quote Father Morrison again: “In the melee with me were Assistant Editor, Colin Smith and columnist, Freddie Kissoon. Threats were made against some of us such as, ‘look, Kissoon, hold he.’” We survived the mob assault on GECOM on the fateful day in 1992 because one man stood tall and refused to be intimidated –its chairman, Rudy Collins, who barely survived with his life.
I ran into Mr. Collins at Giftland Mall and beseeched him to give me an interview but he declined saying he prefers to stay away from the resulting publicity. I met Dr. Barton Scotland in Matai’s Supermarket and I made the identical request and got the identical response. I still feel sad at their reaction though I could understand. These are two excellent humans whose intervention at crucial times made Guyana, a free country.
Here are the words of Dr. Scotland in response to Minister Volda Lawrence after the vote of no-confidence in Parliament in 2018 had taken place and the APNU+AFC fell: “What sort of thing is that? Honourable Member, there is no time out on a vote. Let’s go through the thing and deal with it. Honourable Member, there is no time out on a vote. A vote is taken to conclusion. “

Now this was after the first vote was taken. The Speaker went through the vote again and it was the same result as the first – Charrandass Persaud voted with the opposition. After this second vote, the Speaker was approached by senior members of the APNU+AFC to scrap the motion. This was because the argument was put to the Speaker that 33 do not constitute a majority of 65 and in fact 34 is the majority of 65.
Once again in the life of this country, democracy was assured because of the decisive intervention of people with integrity. The Speaker declined to vitiate the no-confidence vote on the perspective offered that it was not carried by a majority because 33 is not a majority. Dr. Scotland took two positions when he was requested to cancel the vote. He said he could not do that and urged a dialogue between government and opposition. Alternatively, he said let the court decide.
What would have become of the democratic pillars of this country if Dr. Scotland had accepted that 33 is not a majority of 65 and he had cancelled the vote? Think of the implications had he so ruled. That man saved Guyana because he believed in upholding the law. He has a doctorate in law.

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.