| …as opposition reiterate need for reformsThe Guyana Elections Commissions is on track for the holding of the long awaited Local Government Elections in mid-April of this year.This is according to the GECOM’s Public Relations Officer Vishnu Persaud.He did point out that in spite of all the speculations as it relates to the date for the holding of the elections, it is the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development,Wholesale Hockey Jerseys 2018, Khellawan Lall, who has to announce.When contacted the Minister said that he was unable to speak on the issue at the moment since he was busy.The Alliance For Change (AFC) in a press statement had noted with grave concern the rumours regarding the date that Local Government Elections will be held in Guyana and GECOM’s continued failure to clarify the 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.”The party recalled that it is on record as stating: “….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,Cheap Jerseys From China, 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,Wholesale Football Jerseys, 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.”At an emergency meeting held recently,Wholesale NFL Jerseys China, the AFC’s National Executive Committee decided that the party will participate in the 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 AFC stated that the legislative requirements 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.”Meanwhile,Wholesale Jerseys, the PNCR at its recent press briefing stated that over the past four years, the party and, “indeed all Parties including, the PPP/C, had agreed that the completion of Local Government Reform was a natural prerequisite for the holding of local Government Elections.”It is for this reason that the Parliament has continuously postponed the holding of these Elections since they were due in 1997.“It is, therefore amazing that, after all this time and money spent, the PPP/C, as the PNCR had warned seems determined to maintain the old Local Government System while seeking to fool the public with only the implementation of the reformed Electoral System.”According to the party, its position on the matter has been regularly stated and is well-known to the government and,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, “consequently, while the PNCR is ready and prepared for the Local Government Elections it will not be lured into a farce by the Jagdeo Administration.”The party stated “it is questionable whether any Elections in the absence of these Reforms would be Constitutional.” |
