DEMOCRACY is the foundation for all modern societies. Authoritarianism, by contrast, is the antithesis of democracy and the rule of the majority. Wherever such forms of governance rear their ugly head, it must be condemned by all those who cherish the ideals of democracy and democratic forms of governance.

The PPP/C administration has taken a principled and consistent stance when it comes to the question of democracy and human rights. Indeed, there is a positive correlation between democracy and respect for human rights, as enshrined in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the UN Democratic Charter.

Unfortunately, there are still cases where democracy is being subverted and/or selectively applied to justify authoritarian forms of governance. And while each country is free to come up with its own governance algorithm, any departure from the principle of ‘one man, one vote’ in free and fair elections, and on the basis of political pluralism, is fraught with dangers of one kind or another.
In other words, no society can be free when the will of the people is violated or imposed upon, purportedly under the guise of ‘benevolent dictatorship’.
This is why the PPP, from its very inception, has embraced the principles of political and ideological pluralism and representative democracy, based on free, fair and certified elections. This point was re-emphasised by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali during his recent address to the 46th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference.

According to President Ali, democracy in many countries is highly politicised. However, the true meaning of the word reflects all aspects of society and economic development.
“Democracy is that engine that drives development; the shield that protects human dignity, and the framework that enables society to thrive. When democracy flourishes, so, too, does economic development. When the rights of people are upheld, when their voices are heard, and when representatives act in their best interests, nations are empowered to reach their full potential,” President Ali said.
In some societies, unfortunately, elections are a mere formality with predictable results. In some cases, opposition parties are either banned, or their leaders jailed or exiled. Guyana has had its fair share of undemocratic rule, especially during the pre-1992 period, when all national and regional elections were massively rigged by the then PNC regime.

And even though elections since 1992 were largely free and fair, Guyana is not completely, as it were, out of the woods, as fresh attempts were made by the APNU+ AFC to derail democracy in the March 2020 General and Regional Elections.
It was the combined impact of the local and international communities, including the Commonwealth Observer Group, that literally saved the day for democracy in Guyana.
True enough, there is no perfect democracy, especially in politically and ethnically diverse societies. Be that as it may, there is no substitute for democratic values, based on full respect for the will of the people in free, fair and transparent elections. The people is sovereign, and it is their democratic will that must at all times be the basis of governance.

The PPP/C administration must be commended for the measures taken to enrich our democracy to higher levels of participation and inclusivity.