LOCAL government elections must be held in 2012, and the government and GECOM must proceed with plans to do just that, irrespective of whether an agreement is reached on reforms. These elections should not be held hostage to these talks, while the regions are left in disarray and with bad governance. No effective local monitoring and input to projects and programmes will hurt the lives of people and hamper progress in these regions. The government must make their best offer on reforms to parliament and then decide whether it is more important to have elections than wait for elusive agreements on one or more points. It is time for the President to act and where necessary challenge the opposition in the Parliament and courts on the need for elections this year.

The opposition and Guyanese must be told that this is an existing way people can have a direct say in governing their local affairs that need to be exercised at all times in Guyana. There are no excuses to justify any further delays.