Postponing the elections
WHAT THE PEOPLE SAY
Co-leader of the Working People's Alliance, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine has proposed that in the interest of social, political and economic stability that general elections due in January 2001 according to the Herdmanston Accord be postponed to the year 2003 and a power sharing government be set up. We asked the man/woman-in-the-street whether they felt elections should be held next year as due or whether it should be put back. Their views follow; Jermaine Warde - student: `I will reach voting age this year so I am looking forward to voting at the next elections. I hope elections will be held according to the Herdmanston Accord. I think it is needed to streamline the affairs of the country and bring the governance of the country under an administration which is accepted by all Guyanese regardless of which political party wins the elections. As it is the PNC does not accept the PPP/Civic-led administration as the legitimate government and because of this the political situation in the country is not stable and this has led to a decline in the country's economy which is affecting all and sundry. The elections petition brought before the courts is revealing that there was a number of irregularities and people will, one way or the other, not be satisfied with the ruling so the holding elections as soon as possible is the best way to go.' Troy Austin - mechanic: `I am not really happy with the state of the country. It isn't something easy to explain but there is an underlying feeling of tension even as we move around in our daily business. Persons try to blind themselves to it but it is still there and it is all because of the outcome of the last general elections. I think that because of this elections should not be held next year because the tension may erupt at the elections and it may not augur well for the future of the country. The National Assembly should agree to put forward the elections to another two or three years while people try to reconcile differences. In the meantime we need to be aware of the Ravi Devs. The Ravi Devs are no good for this country and this should be made known now and for all times.' John Bennett - consultant: `Elections should not be held next year. We should get a little more time to bring back some political and economic stability to the country. Right now there is too much unemployment so we need investments for job creation. Putting back the elections by two or three years with an interim government comprising representatives of all political parties should help to restore confidence in the political leadership of the country. It should also bring security to the major races who more or less eye each other as political opponents. This runs over into people's social lives and it affects vital sectors of the society. Knowing that elections will not be held next year will relieve tensions that may start building up as a result of the elections which are due.' Raymond Hussain - self-employed: `I think elections should be held next year in keeping with the agreement signed by [PNC leader] Mr [Desmond] Hoyte and [former president] Mrs [Janet] Jagan. It should be over and done with. The conduct of the elections should be above board so that there should be no row between the PPP and the PNC. Experimenting with an interim government for two years after January 2001 might only lead to more confusion and the air of uncertainty brought about by the last election will continue. After January next year we will concentrate fully on development in spite of who gets into power. It could be the WPA [Working People's Alliance], the PNC, Justice For All or the PPP. I mean, Dr Roopnaraine's idea is a good one but it is not workable when feelings run deep in some political circles. If elections are not held we will go back to the same old fighting.' Malcolm Troyer - baker: `The elections should be put forward to the year 2003. When you look at it Guyanese are not prepared to go to the polls so early once more. President [Bharrat] Jagdeo is not ready for general elections. In addition I think that the President should be given more time to really get some work done. This could be done through an interim government coming from representatives of the parliamentary parties in parliament. Another two or three years will not get rid of the racial tensions that exist but it will lessen the rift between the two major ethnic groups in this country. Differences which have arisen and charges of corruption could be tackled jointly which will allow the citizens to feel that their problems are being tackled.' Lawrence Chung - craftsman: `Elections should be held to please the majority of Guyanese. People are not happy with the current political situation which has arisen because of the controversy surrounding the last general elections. Postponing the elections would not help to stabilise the situation but would be putting a strain on everything including, most importantly, the country's economy. Right now because we are awaiting the outcome of the elections petition and with elections due, I feel like we are sitting on a time bomb waiting to explode. Prolonging the holding of elections could trigger the spark but the holding of elections could defuse the situation.' Shafeek Mohamed - businessman: `Dr Roopnaraine's idea is not a bad one which I think in a way could help to stabilise the economy and ease racial tensions but first of all supporters from all political parties must accept the idea. That will be tough. And because I do not think that the idea will go down [well] with supporters from both the PPP and the PNC I think that elections must be held according to the Herdmanston Accord. Preparations should now be taking place for the elections. I think that contrary to what many people would like to believe the next general elections would not be rife with so much racial tension. People are tired of the race problems, racial discrimination, retrenchment, unemployment and poverty and charges of corruption. They are feeling the squeeze and would want to get over the elections quickly to get on with their lives and the country back on the move. Because of problems associated with the last elections whatever the results of this one, they will be accepted by the Guyanese population. In addition, if elections are delayed there is no guarantee that an interim government could attract investments to the country.' Clifton James - pensioner: `I think the elections should be put forward for another date mainly because preparation for the next general elections are not underway as it should have been if it is to be held in January next year. If the elections are rushed through we may end up with more hitches and more problems in the country - just the things we do not want. Apart from the elections machinery not yet in place, the people are not ready especially with the small man trying to survive. The economy, too, is not ready for another general election. I do not think that this elections will have race riots and much race-related problems. If the elections are to be put off beyond the time agreed to in the Herdmanston Accord then an interim government should be set up with representatives from all the parties in parliament. The current President should, however, remain as head of state and head of government.' Samantha Mohamed - student: `The elections should be held as soon as possible hard as it may be. We should get it done and over with in light of the elections petition which is underway and the fact that the PNC does not recognise the PPP/Civic as the administration in government. Representatives of both the PNC and PPP/Civic signed the agreement and they should be bound by it. It will ease the political tensions that spilled over from the last elections. I think that once the elections are over all the race problems that surfaced since the past elections will be put behind us. Instead of worrying I would like to live and enjoy life as any other youth. People out there are watching us and would like us to fail especially a country like Venezuela which wants to covet more than a half of our beautiful country.' Juan Warde - student: `There is no sense in putting back the elections when the conduct and integrity of the elections are questionable. I think the sooner we get the elections out of the way Guyanese can concentrate on improving their individual lot and the country's image as a whole. Nothing is happening right now. Many qualified young people are looking for jobs and it is almost hopeless. Many want to make their contribution to the development of the country but the opportunity is not there. Based on the outcome of the elections I would hope that the government is formed according to how many seats political parties gain in parliament. I think parties should stop being selfish and stop looking after the interest of only its supporters. All Guyanese have the ability to contribute and must be given the chance to do so. This is why we need elections to be held next year.'
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