THE will of the people must at all times be the basis for governance. This is a fundamental tenet of all modern societies and forms the bedrock on which all civilised nations rest.
Yet there are several societies in which democracy and democratic rule remain a challenge. In our hemisphere, the vast majority of countries adhere to the principle of democratic rule. The Westminster system of majoritarian rule continues to hold sway in all countries of the Anglo-phone Caribbean and the vast majority of countries which comprise the British Commonwealth.
Guyana, as a member of the British Commonwealth and on the basis of historical ties with Britain, has embraced the Westminster model of electoral democracy based on the system of majoritarian rule.
That system, despite its limitations, has, by and large, proved largely successful from a governance perspective during the pre-independence period. Regrettably, that system was ruptured in the 1968 elections which was rigged by the PNC to perpetuate its political rule.
One consequence of that rupture of the democratic fabric of the society was that it set in motion a spiral of economic and social decline which, by the end of the 1980’s, resulted in a situation in which Guyana was ranked among the poorest countries in the western hemisphere.
Of interest to note is the fact that during the 1957-1964 period when the PPP was in office, Guyana was ranked among the most prosperous countries in the region.
This is why any attempt to subvert democracy in Guyana or in any part of the world must be resisted. In this regard, the position taken by the Guyana Government on the recent elections in neighbouring Venezuela is commendable.
According to a recent media statement issued by the government, elections are about people exercising their constitutional right to elect a government of their choice in a free, fair and transparent process.
The statement adds: “It behooves all to ensure the integrity of that process through the highest standards of accountability, transparency and strict adherence to the rule of law, including the rules governing elections, to guarantee respect for the will of the people.
“Guyana, therefore, supports the call for a transparent process of verification of the will of the Venezuelan people as exercised on July 28, 2024. The people of Venezuela deserves nothing less.”
This position taken by the Guyana government is indeed commendable, especially when seen against the backdrop of our past electoral history and more lately, the attempts by the APNU+AFC, in collaboration with rogue elements from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Secretariat, to influence the outcome of the March 2020 General and Regional Elections.
Our own experience has demonstrated that there is a positive correlation between democracy and development. Any departure from the democratic processes, however well-intentioned, is fraught with all manner of danger. The democratic will of the people must, therefore, be the basis for rule.