Democracy Belongs to the People High Commissioner Calls on Guyanese to Speak Up

By Mark DaCosta- In a recent call to empowerment, Sébastien Sigouin, the Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, urged the citizens of our nation to actively engage with their democratic processes. His statement – published on his Facebook page – highlighted a critical summary of the European Union Electoral Observation Mission (EU EOM) report, which pointed out significant deficiencies in our electoral system.

High Commissioner Sigouin’s sentiments were stirring as he expressed that even with the calm experienced on the day of the General and Regional elections held on September 1st, our country has ongoing challenges in satisfactorily ensuring robust electoral integrity. He noted, “Although improvements have been made… much work is needed to continue strengthening the electoral process.” This assertion reflects a broader concern regarding the robustness of our democracy, especially following recent elections that many citizens felt were marred by irregularities. The EU EOM report detailed several flaws that impede our democratic framework, raising alarms about transparency and accountability.

Efforts by international partners like Canada to foster peaceful and fair electoral practices come with the expectation that all stakeholders within our nation take their roles seriously. The diplomat proclaimed that “Democracy belongs to the Guyanese People,” channeling a message that resonates with the importance of civic involvement and the rights associated with it. He stressed that it is not only the right of citizens to engage but also their responsibility to demand improvements. It is imperative to call upon elected representatives and the National Assembly to effectuate necessary changes that would safeguard the essence of democracy.

However, President Irfaan Ali’s administration took a dismissive stance towards the findings of the EU EOM, labelling them as biased. This reaction gives rise to further questions about the government’s commitment to electoral reforms and transparency. Critics argue that such a dismissal of legitimate concerns could be indicative of a reluctance to accept the glaring need for reform and improvement within the current political landscape. As citizens, it is crucial to ponder whether the present administration is genuinely invested in a free and fair electoral process, or if it is merely content with maintaining the status quo.

The Canadian High Commissioner encapsulated a powerful sentiment when he stated, “So speak up… on your Government to take action.” This resounding encouragement to citizens signals an urgent call for dialogue and advocacy for electoral integrity. One must ask: How can we expect our leaders to uphold their accountability if we remain passive in our demands? It is crucial for the people of our nation to revive a culture of civic engagement, where citizens hold those in power accountable,  said a commentator.

The challenges outlined in the EU EOM report remain a testament to the growing need for reform; thus, the onus lies on us to act, the observer said.

The observer said, too, In light of the ambassador’s call to action, let us rise to the occasion and advocate for the necessary changes to ensure our electoral system reflects the will and needs of the Guyanese people. The time for passive observation has passed; it is now our duty to demand a process that is truly reflective of democracy – one that is fair, transparent, and accountable.