For some in our midst, free, fair and transparent elections are all about sloganeering. Whereas it sounds good politically, it is proving daily not to be a truism in practice. In Guyana we have come to know this too well. We also benefit from information flows of what takes place around the world and even in places considered to be the bastions of democracy and transparency.
Unfortunately, it is these which see which some take their examples from, not caring or thinking of the impact they are incurring, in large measure as they enshrine a culture of deception, of preaching what they are not practicing. It is the masses who suffer and are denied their birthright subjected to a politics of exclusion instead of benefits of what our constitution addresses as inclusionary democracy and all that it entails.
The trade union’s advocacy at the first Caribbean Labour Conference in Georgetown, Guyana in 1926 is a calendar event that no Guyanese should forget. It is a proud moment for workers and every citizen of this country for it represents a significant landmark in our nation’s development. At the time there was no mass based political party, here or in the Caribbean.
The Labour Movement single-handedly waged the battle with the then colonial government and powers for 24 years before the movement was able to find a political ally in the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) which incorporated elements of Labour Agenda into the political platform.
The trade union’s advocacy at this first labour conference addressed issues such as prison reform, universal health care and education, regional integration, one man one vote, minimum wage, fundamental rights and freedoms, housing, and internal self- government were tabled as important in the workers pursuit for self-determination. These stated issues reflect a continuity of the struggle waged by our forebears, generations ago; a formidable legacy bequeathed by those whose shoulders we stand on today.
Securing the universal right to vote (1953) was the first triumph in the right to self- determination which though achieved from the colonial powers has not sufficiently transformed our geo-political relations to maximise on true self determination/ freedoms. Our right to self-determination is still impacted by the world’s power brokers using various means at their disposal.
Critical review would show that even in our national government the vision of our earlier needs for internal self -government and national development has not adequately developed to protect that which was a hallmark achievement in 1953. Government operating without a strong opposition, informed voters, vigilant interest groups, a united educated workforce, civic, community and other specific interest groups, have proven not to serve in the best interest of the people.
Politicians, unlike trade Unionists are more interested in achieving and consolidating power to control, serve specific interest groups and not all the people as is the minimum expectation. We must not be afraid to hold them accountable for the deliverables that empower each of us, not render us paupers, with cap in hand, waiting for handouts that provide only temporary and instant gratification.
Elections 2025 is here, we must think not only of this date but beyond, and we the people must get this right.
After 72 years, our people, all Guyanese deserve this, must demand this, must settle for no less. We must not only vote, we must vote smart! We must protect the integrity of our vote and keep it private, if we so choose to do. No one must infringe on this right by forcing persons to take pictures etc. We must defy those who seek to cage us and disenfranchise us by dictating our free will.
We must all stand united against what we know and have experienced as a failure in the management of government affairs and delivery of good governance. We must draw from the examples of our earlier ancestors, many uneducated and barely educated, driven by their inner sense of right and wrong, human dignity and hunger for freedoms- those who came together to fight injustices.
Our battle today is to make the right choices guided by the same understandings, compounded by rights and the rule of law, freedom of association and universal adult suffrage.
These things that guide us must help us to demand adherence to an Elections Code of conduct that protects each candidate, each contesting party, each constituency the right to pitch their message throughout the 83,0000 square miles that is Guyana; the right to GECOM information, right to State security if necessary.
Every Guyanese must be free to associate with any political party without fear of victimisation, marginalisation or recrimination. State media is of the people, paid for with taxpayers’ money. The people must demand that those who contest must be represented in equal measures. The state media is not the tool of the governing party, and its powerful role must not be ignored in these elections. Each political party should have fair coverage.
Our people must resist all efforts provoking them into violence against each other. The world has seen the outcomes of such engineering tactics and this nation is only too familiar with use. We see its ugly head rising as some believe they have dominion over the electorate and would seek to hold on to power at any cost.
Political parties contesting the elections do so as equals and none, including the governing Party must be given an unfair advantage through any meanderings of GECOM, of the government, any of its arms, local, regional or international surrogates. The farce of 2020 must not be repeated in 2025.
Protection and distribution of our national patrimony for the benefit of all Guyanese requires that we vote wisely for our children’s future and our collective development depends on ‘Good Governance, Rights and the Rule of law.’
The struggle for good governance in Guyana can no longer be taken for granted and our interdependent relationship must not either.
