Dear Editor,
It is grossly insufficient that passionate statements are made by elected politicians about maintaining democracy in Guyana. Every progressive step should be sought to ensure that Guyanese are not denied increasing opportunities to participate in the management and decision making of the State. Both main parties promised to amend the Constitution to bring about this but not much has changed.
Patriotic Guyanese are justified in thinking that no meaningful amendments to strengthen democracy in Guyana will take place before the next General elections. There is no public awareness of life at the Constitutional Reform Committee. A strategy should be sought by One-Nation-minded Guyanese to contest the elections within the current laws and earn the chance to be effective in the running of the country.
A person cannot run for election as an individual in a Geographical area, (obvious restriction on the widest people’s involvement). Political parties have to meet the threshold of 6 regions with minimum 13 seats, (a very tall ask for small parties).
What if a simple ethical Alliance is formed among Individuals and the small parties to contest the elections under a single banner?
Initially, the realistic aim should not be to get the Presidency nor to get rid of the PPP/C. Instead, the ambition should be to get the chance to Participate, Perform and Produce for the people.
Guyana’s majority of fair-minded Guyanese, some vocal, but largely silent, have the power to improve Guyana for All; and must find ways to solidify the envisioned One People One Nation.
There is ample evidence indicating that there are enough home–based Guyanese who are sincere in their desire to just serve the people. Surely, they can find agreeable agreements to move ahead.
Come out and organize?