SPLITTING THE VOTE
Recently, at the PNCR’s General Council Assembly, a well known and senior Party activist and sworn anti-Trotman crusader publicly condemned me as a “snake in the grass” and went on to throw the ultimate insult intended obviously to mark me for some trouble, by declaring that I was a “traitor working for the PPP”. I hope that this is not the signal for the commencement of the predicted attack. Without dwelling on this subject for too long, I just want to remind my attacker and others that the so-called traitor quite ably and professionally represented the PNCR in the famous Elections Petition from 1998-2001; represented the party in political dialogue with the PPP/C; held several portfolios as spokesperson and advisor on Legal Affairs, International Relations and National Security, and convened various planning committees for the successful holding of Biennial Congresses, convened the PNCR committee to address the Disciplined Forces Commission’s work; represented the Party on the bi-partisan Border/National Security Committee, and on various parliamentary committees and delegations, and the list goes on. Because of my respect for the memory of former Party Leader Desmond Hoyte, and for the present leadership and members I will not launch a counter-attack but intend to prove that history will absolve me. For the record, I have no intention of joining the PPP/C or any other Party other than the one with which I am now associated.
On more mature consideration it must be realized that the views of my erstwhile comrade are really wrought from fear and ignorance which gives rise to a deep measure of insularity such that there is now absolutely no trust amongst the races, or for anyone who is not imbedded within the trenches of one of the established armies. Everyone has become suspicious of the other. We no longer exist as a nation with a singular purpose, but as a group of nations struggling to co-exist. Perhaps it is foolhardy to believe that the natural inclinations towards prejudice and bigotry will pass over and so the issue must be managed.
None of the established parties in Guyana will ever admit to any dogma which speaks to holding votes by appealing to ethnic sentimentalities, but on the ground, the message is sent out with great effectiveness. Ironically, it is this message which is perpetuated election after election that has actually led to the stale-mate we find ourselves in. The greatest anxiety exists in what is known in our parts as “splitting the vote”. Whenever we hear the words “splitting the vote” we must remind ourselves that we are appealing to the core of our primal instincts. The word “Apanjhat” has special meaning in Guyana but within each community of nations there is belief that if one is of a particular race then one must vote accordingly… that if you are of African origin then you have an expected right to align with the PNC and if you are of East Indian origin then you must vote PPP/C. Such is the legacy bequeathed us by our enslavers, overlords, occupiers and rulers.
Assuming that the PNC brands itself an all African party can it be considered a national institution? For persons to vote PNCR simply because they are African or mixed with some African blood, or are they to vote for the PNCR because it proposes the best programme for the stabilization and development of Guyana? Should East Indians vote for the PPPC simply because this is what their foreparents did or should pressure be put on the party to respect the human rights of all; to embrace good governance, to promote the economic development of all the ethnic groups; and to stamp out corruption?
Many have cautioned that my move away from the PNCR and towards the Alliance For Change will split the vote but I ask the questions what vote, and are the voters the property of anyone? In fact, it must come as a surprise that I could be accused of splitting any votes at all when I have often heard it said that there is no support for alternative political parties. For too long we have been fed a diet which comprises part prejudice, part stupidity and part ignorance leading us to believe that only someone looking like us can understand and provide for our needs yet in the same breath we proclaim our own special qualities of being able to rule fairly for others. The two large parties, it would appear, believe that they have title or Transport to the various ethnic groups in Guyana and anyone or anything that disturbs or threatens to disturb this, is poisonous. No one owns any person in Guyana and no one owns any vote. We gained emancipation from slavery a long time ago but it appears that it is being replaced by an unseen shackle of political bondage and servitude.
Votes must be fought for and honourably won and not be demanded because of surname or colour of skin. In fact, the demographics are such that no one group can dominate the other entirely and this is where the upcoming elections are going to be very interesting. From observations, the PPP/C has begun to campaign heavily in the hinterland areas because they have wisely surmised that their quest to maintain power lies there. Few would doubt them but it remains to be seen whether the indigenous and other peoples who populate the hinterland will fall victim to the old mirror and beads trick now disguised as boat engines and computers. It is an insult to expect that people will vote for a person or party simply because of the colour of their skin or for a fistful of dollars. Anyone who perpetuates this is not fit to be a part of the body-politic of Guyana. After forty years we can look no further than ourselves and see where racial voting has taken us and ask, do we want an eternity of it?
Many posit that the time is ripe for a National Front Government, but it must be accepted that the mutual respect and understanding required between and amongst the representative groups simply is non-existent. A National Front Government in this context will therefore become a microcosm of the wider society and act similarly. For now, Guyana’s future lies in getting all interested players to accept that whilst the attitudinal metamorphosis is ongoing, a raft of Constitutional Reforms should be introduced to address its problems. These should include :1) Abolishing the office of the Executive presidency, or at best, diluting the executive powers which in an ethnically different society will always be seen as a source of abuse and discrimination; 2.) Introducing a weighted majority in the National Assembly for decisions pertaining to budgetary allocations, and senior state appointments among others; 3) Fashioning our own brand of affirmative action intended to recognize, and make adjustments for, the socio-economic positioning of each ethnic group- to be complemented by the due and proper functioning of the various Rights Commissions; 4) De-centralising political and administrative power to the Regional authorities; and 5) Dismantling the process currently used for choosing MP’s and other elected officials, and replacing it with a system that provides a direct vote and direct representation by the people, and for the people.
I believe that the five matters set out above together with an acceptance of some agreed moral and spiritual principles can lead to a coming together of many groups on the people’s behalf. A few months ago, I had reason to respond to an invitation made to me by the Leader of the Guyana Action Party for me to take up a leadership position in that party. I declined whilst remaining firm in my belief that GAP remains a pivotal Party with which there must be a meaningful association. The trust, respect and understanding so desperately required between competing groups already exists between the leadership of the Alliance and GAP and therein lies what can become the beginning of the great coalition or national government that we seek.
When the talk of snake and traitor is done with, then maybe, just maybe, there may be some unity of purpose and action. In the meantime, despite all the insults and threats, let us remain committed to the people’s dream of being able to awake every day, give thanks to our maker and say that we live in a peaceful, united and prosperous Guyana of “one people, one nation and one destiny”.
Young people, if I can be bold enough to speak for them, want some simple things in life. They want their independence and respect, jobs, opportunities, a healthy and prosperous life, and the ability to procreate in a favourable environment. What they don’t want is to be entrapped with the language of last Saturday which like President Bush said to the world: “You are either with us or against us”. As the world is now witnessing, there are many who fall in-between the two camps who will resist with their lives, all attempts to yolk and control them.
The vote therefore has to be split if Guyana is to survive. We can no longer afford to vote racially and suicidally. We must choose change and vote to break the status quo. The key to betterment is to slip the moorings of the past and allow the M.V. Guyana to drift into the beckoning river that flows deep and wide. The words of West Indian great Michael Manley recently re-introduced to me, sum up the challenge ahead:
“Every change is a step into the unknown-it begins with the courage to make that step.”
RGCT
August, 2005
Comments are closed