AS Guyanese head to the polls today, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali’s heartfelt call for peace and order means much more than typical political talk. It highlights the urgent need for a nation eager to move beyond its troubled electoral history.

His thoughtful message urges citizens to “disagree without discord” and “choose without chaos.” This comes at a crucial time when Guyana’s democratic growth faces its biggest challenge in the oil era.

The President’s focus on peace is not just wishful thinking; it comes from hard lessons learned from the past.

Guyana’s electoral history is marred by violence and disputed results. The deadly riots of 1964, and the 2020 electoral crisis which lasted five months amid claims of rigging and widespread unrest are just two examples.

President Ali’s message directly addresses this harmful trend. His reminder that “the eyes of the world are upon us, but more importantly, the hopes of our children are vested in us” gets to the core of what this election truly means.

With a lot at stake and international observers from the EU, Carter Center, Commonwealth, and CARICOM closely watching, this election will show whether Guyana can prove that it is a mature society.

The President’s urging for political leaders to “temper our passion and allow good sense and decency to guide our actions” is especially relevant given experts’ warnings about the “high risk of unrest” after the results are announced.

What makes President Ali’s message powerful is its recognition that peace cannot be forced from above but must be embraced by the people.

His statement that “peace will prevail not because it is enforced but because it is embraced” acknowledges that genuine democratic stability calls for more than security forces; it needs a shared commitment to accept election results with dignity.

President Ali’s plea for a peace and order, regardless of the outcome, offers Guyana a chance to achieve a level of political maturity that this nation has long sought.

As voters head to the polls Monday morning, they carry the burden of their history and the hope for a brighter future.

The President’s vision of Guyanese who can “contest without contempt” is not merely political idealism; it forms the foundation upon which lasting democracy must be established. Whether this heartfelt call resonates with citizens and political leaders will shape not only the next government but also the future of Guyana’s democratic journey.