As members of the Disciplined Services head to the polls today, social activist and 107.1 FM owner Mark Benschop is calling on all ranks to vote with integrity and a sense of national duty. In an exclusive interview with Village Voice News, Benschop, host of the nightly ‘Straight Up With Mark Benschop‘ issued a powerful appeal to members of the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Defence Force, Guyana Prison Service, and the Guyana Fire Service, urging them to reject political manipulation and vote to restore professionalism, transparency, and respect to their respective institutions.
“The disciplined services are not what they used to be,” Benschop said.
“They cannot allow corrupt politicians to continue to intimidate the entire force and to use them as political tools. The force cannot be professional when they’re being used as political pawns.”
He warned that the public’s confidence in the services, particularly the police, is being eroded due to perceived political interference.
“The general public views the Police Force as politically tainted and taking instructions from corrupt politicians,” Benschop stated.
However, he clarified that his message is not a condemnation of all ranks.
“This is not to paint the entire police force or any of the disciplined services with the same brush. I do believe the majority of the members of the Guyana Police Force, Prison Service, Defence Force, and Fire Service are honourable men and women,” he said.
“I salute them for their dedication to Guyana. I salute those who approach their work in a professional and impartial manner.”
As they cast their ballots today, Benschop called on the men and women of the services to make their vote count for national restoration.
“Vote to restore decency. Vote to restore transparency. Vote to restore the professionalism that will lead to love, respect, and admiration from the general population,” he urged.
Benschop ended with a pointed political message:
“Vote for the restoration of the Disciplined Services. Vote for professionalism. Vote for respect. And with that—get the corrupt People’s Progressive Party out of office.”
Today’s vote by the joint services—comprising the police, army, prison, and fire services—is being watched closely as a bellwether of broader public sentiment ahead of the general elections.
