The Alliance For Change notes with grave concern the rumors regarding the date that local government elections will be held in Guyana and GECOM’s continued failure to clarify this situation. We observe that once again the Leaders of the PNC and the PPP have met in private to discuss this “national” issue with the exclusion of other important stakeholders of this country who deserve to be included in any conversation about their future.
On February 2, 2010 the AFC stated in their press conference that:
…..” As the nation is put on an elections footing for the holding of Local Government Elections that are scheduled for April, 2010, the people of Guyana are no wiser as to their rights and responsibilities under the new electoral system that is proposed. If we are made to believe that the holding of elections is in itself the greatest litmus test of a functioning democracy, rather than the fullest participation of the people, then by all accounts, GECOM is failing miserably to prepare the people to exercise their constitutional and democratic rights to vote, and to elect leaders of their choice.
……if we are to have meaningful local government elections in Guyana then the level of participation of the people has to be way beyond current estimates. Additionally, the full raft of the long awaited reforms have yet to be implemented and calls into serious question the success of any local government elections held without them. Therefore, elections held just for the sake of holding them, will be disastrous for this nation and will most likely cause irreparable harm to our democracy. “
Six weeks later this position remains unchanged and at an emergency meeting the AFC’s National Executive Committee held today, it was decided that the Alliance For Change will participate in Local Government Elections only when the legislative reforms mandated by the local government task force and agreed on by all political parties and the international community are put in place.
We have stated that these elections are about the people of Guyana taking control of the management of their communities without direction from central government.
There can be no solution without devolution.
The Alliance For Change strongly believes that these legislative requirement s can be put in place by July 31, 2010 and will participate when these requirements are in place. In the meantime our activists will continue their work in the field and in preparation for these elections. We demand a reformed election not a “deformed” election.
If the legislative reforms are in place tomorrow, the AFC will be ready to participate.
As also noted at our February 2, 2010 press conference, the AFC continues to be distressed by the numerous persons who tell us everyday that they do not understand the new electoral system. This has not been explained sufficiently to encourage full citizen participation. This process of accurate and independent voter education cannot be the responsibility of the political parties but must be the responsibility of the Guyana Elections Commission.
The Alliance For Change recognizes that the success of Local Government Elections depends on the full informed participation of Guyana’s citizenry.
End
For More Information contact:
The Alliance for Change
telephone: 226-0181
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