Opposition Leader Calls On PPP Regime to “STOP PLAYING GAMES WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS”…No Delay or Hindrance in 2021
October 28, 2020 – According to a statement today from the Opposition Leader, Hon. Joseph Harmon, warned the current administration that Local Government Elections (LGE) should be held on time without ‘no delay’ or ‘hindrance’.
“Citizens MUST be given their democratic and constitutional right to elect their local leaders without delay or hindrance,” said Harmon
The statement comes after the President of Guyana, Irfaan Ali warned that local government elections would not be held until the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) fixed their problems concerning holding elections.
“I am not getting into Local Government Elections now, as a people and the media…what we have to do is to fix what is there first and we have to ensure that we have a system that is working and a system that people trust and a system that is professional and a system that operates in an unbiased manner so that the people of our country can contribute,” said Ali.
Harmon strongly opposed elections not being held on time and insisted that the elections be conducted according to the constitution of Guyana.
“Article 12 of our Constitution is clear “Local government by freely elected representatives of the people is an integral part of the democratic organization of the State.”
Further, Article 71 details that “local government is a vital aspect of democracy and shall be organized to involve as many people as possible in the task of managing and developing the communities in which they live.”
The Laws of Guyana, Chapter 28:02 – Local Government prescribes the following:
“Except as is otherwise provided for in this Act, the term of office of councillors shall be three years commencing on January 1 after the declaration under section 101 of the Local Authorities (Elections) Act of the election results for the village.”
The opposition leader made it clear that the APNU+AFC restored Local Government Elections (LGE) after the PPP regime neglected their responsibilities by not having LGE for almost two decades while being in power. Under the APNU+AFC leadership from 2015, two local elections were held thus far. He reiterated that “Local Government Election is a fundamental pillar of democracy” in Guyana.
“Citizens must be able to freely elect leaders who they hold responsible for the management and development of their communities and must not have the PPP imposed handpicked persons in their communities via the reviled and hated IMC policy of the PPP regime,” said Harmon.
Mr. Harmon expressed the need for LGE and called on the government to stop “playing games” and ensure that elections are being held promptly. He is hoping that preparation will be made to have the process going for the polls.