Dear Editor,
BENEATH the fanfare of campaign politicking resides one simple truth: “In a democratic society, it’s the electorate that determines which party, or parties, assume the reins of governmental power.”
This statement is exemplified in a discussion I had with my 75-year-old sister and her husband, who operate a small business in a mixed Afro-Indian community.
Given the number of villagers who often stop by the business place to chat, my sister explained that during the last month, visitors began to gradually chatter incessantly and inquiringly about which party they should vote for, given the number of parties “running”—vying for power.

Some visitors, she said, expressed ambivalent feelings toward Azruddin, who passed through the village a few months ago delivering expensive gifts to a handful of individuals.
Having announced his candidacy for the presidency, my brother-in-law explained that several visitors speculated that since Azruddin “gave away some of his own money,” he may “give away” larger amounts of “oil money” if he wins the elections.

To this speculation, two individuals said, “Something nah right,” and added that they “now wanda” if Azruddin’s gifts “could be” some kind of “bribe” to “vote for him.”
Most visitors, however, seemed perplexed, especially since they all consider themselves life-long supporters of either the PPP or PNC, based on their traditional political loyalties and voting histories, my brother-in-law explained.

Aware that I occasionally write letters to editors of the newspapers, my sister asked what she should say to the visitors, since they customarily turn to her to “settle” their differences.
Before volunteering an answer, I asked my sister for some information about the individuals who visit their business place.

As someone not sensitive to politically ‘correct’ racial expressions, my sister said they are “Blacks and Coolies,” ranging in age from “50 to 80.”
And since my brother-in-law customarily explains to my sister the contents of my letters to the newspapers’ editors, due to my somewhat esoteric expressions, my sister politely said, “Bro, can you give me something in ‘fine change’ (simple language) I can share with the people who drop by?”

After mulling over my sister’s request for a few days, I shared with her the following questions her visitors can answer for themselves in making thoughtful choices about which party to vote for:
Of all the political parties “running” in this election, which party has done more to develop the entire country? That is: (a) Built roads and bridges to make travel and transportation easier; (b) Established more schools so that their children and grandchildren can have a better education; (c) Constructed more hospitals so that people can have better healthcare; (d) Built more recreational centres for sports and entertainment?

Of all the political parties “running” in this election, which party has done more to improve the lives of the people? Created more jobs, increased pension benefits, distributed cash grants, made university education available to all academically qualified students, gave out affordable houses and house lots, made affordable loans available for building homes, starting small businesses, and farms, etc.?

At this point, my brother-in-law interjected with this question, “What if they say that the PPP government does these things because of the ‘oil money’?”
“Then, it would be beneficial if you let them know that the election is a choice between the known and the unknown,” I responded.
“That is, what the PPP has done, and is still doing, to develop the entire country and improve the lives of all Guyanese, as opposed to the promises other political parties make as to what they will do with the ‘oil money.’ Let the past and present governance serve as their guides to the future.”
I added that the visitors may also find these extra questions helpful in their voting decisions:

Of all the political parties “running” in this election, which party is working to unite the people—and which party leader is trying to divide the people by making Afro-racist appeals?
Of all the political parties “running” in this election, which party promotes peace, and which one calls for violence whenever it suits its purpose?
Of all the political parties “running” in this election, which party leaders often go out into the African, Indian, and Amerindian communities to listen to and address the people’s problems, and which party leaders seldom go out into, or only visit those communities where their supporters live?

Of all the political parties “running” in these elections, which party assures workers their rights to collective bargaining, and which one(s) only assure the rights of their supporters?
Of all the political parties “running” in these elections, which party has created more jobs, and which party has closed factories, causing thousands of labourers to become unemployed?
After some thought, my brother-in-law surmised that the questions, if made available to the larger public, could enable other voters to make thoughtful decisions based on their own assessments of the “known” and “unknown” benefits derived from Guyana’s current developmental transformations.

Hence, voters may find this statement worthy to remember, “It is not uncommon for the weak-minded to easily disregard, or overlook, the ‘known’ in favour of the ‘unknown’ based on unrealistic promises made by politicians in desperate search for recognition and the acquisition of personal power.”
Regards,
Narayan Persaud, PhD
Professor Emeritus