Georgetown: The A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) coalition are making preparations for the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE) scheduled for March 2016.
A release from the coalition party stated that representatives from all ten administrative regions met at a regional leadership level in preparation for the local government elections scheduled for Friday 18 March 2016. In attendance also was Ronald Bulkan, Minister of Communities as well as Dawn Hastings, Minister within the Ministry of Communities.
Facilitating the training programme was Minister of Social Cohesion Amna Ally who dealt extensively with what the campaign structure is expected to be. Ally also discussed with participants requirements for the local government elections, such as selection of symbols, selection of candidates, support signatures, and other matters of importance to parties contesting the elections.
She also explained the legal framework, time lines and arrangements for the effective conduct of LGE.
Following the presentations, participants engaged in an in-depth discussion on the topics, with the session being chaired by Citizenship Minister Winston Felix.
In an invited comment, Minister Ally said this session was fully attended by representatives for all regions and by both the APNU and AFC: “The session was to ensure that participants are equipped with relevant knowledge for the upcoming local government elections.”
The A Partnership for National Unity also stated they are committed to the formation of a Government of National Unity to rid Guyana of winner-takes-all politics: “APNU is dedicated to ensuring that our multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society will succeed through respect for the diversity, hard work, thrift and sacrifice of all our citizens.”
Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan last Friday announced that the much anticipated Local Government Elections will be held on March 18, 2016.
LGE, which was last held in 1994, will be conducted across the country in every constituency.
Bulkan said this is an important time in Guyana’s history since government has declared that Guyanese will have the opportunity to democratically elect councillors to manage towns and neighbourhoods.
Bulkan said local governments are mandated by law to provide many essential services, such as improving living conditions, creating jobs in the various local areas, maintaining roads, bridges and other important infrastructures, garbage collection, cleaning of drains, promoting a healthy environment and encouraging citizen involvement in their communities.
The legislation governing local government organs was further strengthened following the local government reform process initiated in the aftermath of the 1997 General Elections and the ensuing menu of measures accompanying the Herdmanston Accord.
The five new pieces of legislation include the Local Authorities Amendment Act of 2009, the Municipal and District Council Amendment Act of 2013, the Fiscal Transfer Act of 2013, the Local Government Commission Act of 2013, and the Local Government Amendment Act 2015.
You must be logged in to post a comment.