The Mayor and Town Council of Linden have issued a strongly-worded statement condemning what they describe as the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Ms. Sonia Parag’s, excessive interference in their internal operations. The Council’s accusations centre on several actions by the Minister that they claim violate their constitutional autonomy, disrupt local democratic processes, and undermine the integrity of the council’s work.
At the heart of the controversy is Minister Parag’s recent decision to halt the Town Council’s internal elections. According to the Council, this intervention represents an overreach of her authority.
The Linden Mayor and Council assert that their right to conduct internal elections without external influence is constitutionally protected, and the Minister does not have the legal power to postpone or intervene in the process.
“The law is clear—the Minister is required to notify the council of a date for the holding of such elections,” the statement reads. The Council expresses concern that the interference in this fundamental democratic process not only disregards the Constitution but also sets a dangerous precedent for local governance across the country.
The Town Council’s statement also takes aim at what they describe as biased interventions by the Minister, which have led to decisions that undermine the autonomy of the local government body. The Council claims that the Minister’s actions have jeopardised their ability to carry out their duties impartially and have led to public disrepute.
“This is a direct violation of Article 75 of the Constitution of Guyana, which guarantees the autonomy of local democratic organs,” the statement emphasises. The Council accuses the government of attempting to weaken the authority of local councils, particularly in their handling of disputes with the politically appointed Town Clerk, who they argue has not been held accountable by the Local Government Commission or the Ministry.
Further compounding the issue, the Mayor and Council have raised alarms over reports of intimidation directed at local government officers. The statement suggests that officers have been pressured to act in accordance with the political agenda of the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), compromising their duty to the Town Council and the citizens of Linden.
This alleged coercion, they argue, directly contravenes Article 38(G) of the Constitution, which protects public officers from being forced to carry out unlawful orders or face retribution for performing their duties lawfully. “No public officer shall be the subject of sanctions of any kind without due process,” the statement quotes.
The Town Council also criticised the behaviour of the Town Clerk, a political appointee with ties to the PPP/C, who they claim has acted in a manner detrimental to the functioning of the Council. The Clerk, who campaigned during the 2023 Local Government Elections, has been accused of undermining the decisions made by the Council, especially in relation to its attempts to hold him accountable.
The Mayor and Council argue that his actions are being protected and enabled by the Ministry and the government, further exacerbating the tension between the local council and the central government. “It appears that the Town Clerk is being emboldened by the Minister to act counter to the interests of the Council,” the statement reads.
The Linden Town Council’s statement ends with a strong call for Minister Parag to cease her interference and allow the local governance structures to function independently, as guaranteed by the Constitution. The Council reiterated its commitment to defending the autonomy of local governments and urged other councils and stakeholders across Guyana to join in advocating for genuine local governance, free from political manipulation.
“We stand united in our commitment to uphold the rights and autonomy of our local governance structures,” the Council declared.
These developments raise significant concerns about the broader issue of political interference in local government across the country. While the government claims to be committed to strengthening local democracy, critics argue that such interventions may be undermining the very principles that should guide local governance in Guyana. The outcome of this dispute between the Linden Town Council and Minister Sonia Parag could set a critical precedent for local governance and the future of democracy in the country.
