GUYANA | Opposition wants comprehensive electoral reform through “genuine” consultation

GEORGETOWN,  Guyana, May 19, 2022 - Guyana’s main opposition, A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) says the country requires urgent and comprehensive Electoral Reform that would allow only eligible persons to be registered, the provision of credible results and an overall electoral system – from registration to the declaration of results – that would win the trust and confidence of the public, political parties and other stakeholders.

APNU/AFC Member of Parliament, Geeta Chandan-Edmond, during a press conference hosted by the Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton, on Tuesday, said  “Tinkering will not work. Disjointed changes will not work and  Bad faith will not work.” 

She noted that the nation has rejected the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government’s proposed amendments to the Representation of the People Act and its consultations on Electoral Reform.

“This rejection is informed by the fact that the PPP’s approach is piecemeal, deceitful, and self-serving. As such, the PPP totally fails to address key systemic and structural flaws and weaknesses in our electoral system,” she observed.

“It totally avoids any consideration of major constitutional, statutory, administrative, operational, and technological reforms. In fact, the PPP’s approach seems more likely to make free, fair, and uncontested elections in Guyana more elusive,” she contended.

Chandan-Edmond declared that comprehensive electoral reform must rest on four pillars, among which must be a thorough review of its performance in managing recent elections by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

“The plethora of faults and irregularities (intended and unintended) in the 2020 elections alone must not be brushed under the carpet to resurface again. They must be swept out for good,” she said.

The three opposition-aligned Elections Commissioners – Vincent Alexander, Charles Corbin and Desmond Trotman – have also called for a review of the 2020 Elections, but the Elections Commission is still to deliberate on the proposal.

Further, Chandan-Edmond underscored the need for national consultations, involving the public, civil society, and the parliamentary political parties.

“These must be modeled after the 1999/2000 Constitution Reform Commission process. In particular, key elements must include: a multi-stakeholder/expert committee, a consensus chairperson, a public call for oral and written submissions, and several national conversations (open forums),” she explained.

The Opposition MP also made a case for the in-depth involvement of experts on electoral laws, electoral systems, elections technologies, and elections management, and further, holistic constitutional and legislative amendments or enactments.

The Opposition, she said, anticipates that electoral reform will require both constitutional and statutory amendments.

“We stand ready to lend parliamentary support to all agreed-to changes. Time is of essence in initiating and completing these reforms to prevent extended postponement of local government elections.

Once the PPP government demonstrates good faith, the financial, human, and other resources can be readily mobilized,” she assured.

She said once all parties put Guyana first, delays can be minimized.

“Guyana deserves no less. So convinced, the APNUAFC intends to formally raise with President Ali that the country needs to urgently undertake comprehensive electoral reform within a genuine national consultation process,” she said.