By Mark DaCosta- In recent pronouncements, the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) has raised various concerns regarding the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government’s actions and policies including the following:
Cash Transfers Must Be Legally Sanctioned
One of the concerns raised by the WPA revolves around the government’s decision to distribute a $100,000 cash handout to each voter without legislative approval. The WPA strongly believes that such financial transfers should not be at the discretion of the executive branch alone but must be subject to legislative debate and approval.
The party insists that all cash transfers, including this one, must be grounded in legislation to ensure accountability and prevent the misuse of public resources.
Electoral Reform and Integrity of the Voters’ List
The WPA has long championed electoral reforms. A key issue remains the integrity of the voters’ list, which the WPA claims is inflated and vulnerable to manipulation.
The WPA made clear that unless the voters’ list is thoroughly cleansed, free and fair elections cannot take place. “Nothing short of a new list bereft of the bloat will suffice,” the WPA stated, advocating for a fresh round of house-to-house registration. The party also called for the introduction of biometric technology to enhance the credibility of the elections, citing documented instances of voter impersonation.
Further, the WPA expressed concerns over reports that GECOM has been tampering with the voters’ list by changing its update schedule from six-month intervals to monthly updates. “We are reliably informed that the customary practice of updating the list every six months has been changed to monthly updates without the knowledge of the commissioners,” the WPA said, calling for full transparency and the reinstatement of the proper procedures for updating the list.
Moreover, the WPA highlighted its dissatisfaction with the apparent politicisation of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). The party called on the GECOM Chairperson to demonstrate impartial leadership and reject any pressures from the ruling government. “GECOM must exercise its constitutional autonomy and not be bullied by the VP (vice president), his party, and the government.”
Government Must Ensure Integrity in Cash Handout Distribution
While the WPA has not opposed the government’s $100,000 cash handout in principle, it raised concerns over the method of distribution, particularly using the current voters’ list. The WPA warned that the existing list, which it describes as “bloated and flawed,” could lead to electoral manipulation and fraud. “To use such a list to distribute monies is fraught with danger,” they stated, underscoring the potential for corruption in such an arrangement.
In addition, the WPA expressed cautious optimism that the government’s decision to submit the handout for parliamentary approval was a step in the right direction. However, they were clear that the process must be backed by legislation to prevent misuse. “We insist that statutory cover would protect against corruption, improve accountability, and more importantly integrate the cash transfers as part of a structured government intervention,” the WPA said.
Parents Under 18
The party also called for the inclusion of young parents under the age of 18 in the cash transfer programme. The WPA argued that this group, which includes some of the nation’s most vulnerable, should not be excluded. “If WPA has a choice between giving the handout to overseas Guyanese and giving it to parents below the age of eighteen, we would choose the latter,” they said, advocating for policy adjustments to better support this demographic.
Sugar Industry in Crisis
The WPA has also turned its attention to the sugar industry, which it describes as in a state of disarray. Referring to reports of poor performance at Albion estate, the WPA decried the massive inefficiencies within the sector, where sugar is being produced at a loss. “Producing sugar at $1.31 per pound and selling at 35 cents per pound is madness,” the WPA stated, calling on the government to address the severe financial losses in the industry.
The party also criticised Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo’s silence on the decline of the sugar industry, particularly given his previous vocal involvement in the sector’s management. “Jagdeo and the government must take full responsibility for the decline — they have been the government for the last four years,” the WPA asserted, accusing the administration of neglecting the industry and failing to address its long-term viability.
Calls for International Scrutiny and Transparency
The WPA has called, too, for greater international involvement in ensuring transparency in Guyana’s governance processes. The party urged international observer groups to exert pressure on the government to adopt electoral reforms and address concerns related to the fairness of the elections. “While we frown on interference in the internal affairs of our country, we recognise that Guyana is part of a larger global community, and its governors should be held accountable to universal governance standards,” the WPA said.
Whether addressing the need for legislative oversight of cash transfers, calling for an overhaul of the electoral system, or demanding accountability for the declining sugar industry, the party’s positions appear to be centred around a clear message: Guyana’s institutions must serve the people, and the government must be held to account.
The party’s messages of oversight, transparency, and fairness echo the concerns of many citizens who have expressed tiredness with endless accusations of growing executive overreach by the PPP regime and political manipulation by the ruling party.
