Georgetown: “The clock is ticking” and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Chairman David Granger is calling on the Local Government Minister to set a date for the holding of local government elections.
The Opposition Leader also stated that the appointment of Keith Lowenfield as GECOM Chief Elections Officer is a step in the right direction. “Mr Lowenfield goes into the appointment with 14 years of experience and with an unblemished record in the Elections Commission.”
The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Thursday announced that it is in a state of preparedness, noting that it is in possession of a work plan, which puts the timeframe for the conduct of elections at 180 days, commencing from the appointment of a date.
However, it was made clear that the setting of the date is primarily dependent on the Minister responsible for local government elections.
Based on the timely announcement, the Opposition Leader opined that Guyanese can go to the polls soon once the greenlight is given by the Donald Ramotar Administration.
He said too that the National Assembly has spoken with the passing of resolution for Local Government Elections to be held no later than August 1, 2014. “So the clock is ticking… the trigger has to be an Executive Order,” he said.
In February, APNU and AFC amended the Local Authorities (Elections Amendment) Bill 2014 to have the elections held by August. The Bill was taken before the House by now acting Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker with the intention of having the elections postponed for 2014.
Granger said the coalition strongly believes that when the Bill was introduced, it was possible to have local government elections by August 1.
“So we expect that if the government is serious, Local government Elections can be held in a reasonably short time.”
The Opposition Leader also stated that the appointment of Keith Lowenfield as GECOM Chief Elections Officer is a step in the right direction. “Mr Lowenfield goes into the appointment with 14 years of experience and with an unblemished record in the Elections Commission.”
While expressing confidence in Lowenfield, Granger said the coalition is confident that the new Chief Elections Officer will do a better job than his predecessor Gocool Boodoo.
“We look forward to cooperating with him and we look forward to having clean elections without controversy and mathematical errors.”
The APNU leader stated that Local Government Elections are essential for the encouragement of local development, contending that urban and rural development is being impeded because of the lack of major investment in public infrastructure.
He also accused the Local Government Ministry of micro-managing at the level of local organs, but unable to effectively execute its mandate to the public.
“Isolated, but potentially productive communities are heavily dependent on airstrips for services, supplies and the evacuation of medical cases, yet an unwanted airstrip was constructed on Wakenaam Island,” he said
According to Granger, several dozen frequently used airstrips in the hinterland receive only marginal maintenance, an issue he linked to aviation accidents.
According to the APNU, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s (PPP/C) damage to local democratic organs over the past two decades has severely hindered economic development of urban and rural communities. It also accused the Local Government Ministry of being unable to promote economic development at the municipal level. “APNU is convinced that the holding of Local Government Elections is essential for the restoration of local democracy and consequently the re-energising of local economies.”
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