Georgetown : The position taken by the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) to dispatch observer missions to member states hosting general elections is regarded by President Donald Ramotar a symbol of commitment to democracy.
The Guyanese President conveyed to South American leaders gathered in Peru for the VI meeting of the Council of Heads of State and Government on November 30, the Guyana Government’s concurrence with the move.
“We should have an interest in developing the capacity of elections commissions in every one of our countries so that our people can have confidence in those types of institutions,” President Ramotar said in his address.
Paraguay lost its membership status from UNASUR and the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) following the controversial ousting last June of Fernando Lugo after nearly four years in office. The chairmanship was as a result prematurely handed over to Peru.
UNASUR is holding firm to its position that the suspension will prolong until the country hosts its April 2013 elections but Paraguay retaliated with bitter complaints about the decision and refusal to concede with UNASUR observer missions at the elections.
UNASUR served for the first time since its establishment in 2008 as international elections observer during Venezuela’s presidential election in October. They included a leader, coordinator, and four observers from each country of its 12 members.
In a brief interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA) following the plenary session with South American leaders in Peru, President Ramotar said Guyana, having experiences in this regard where foreign observers are present at elections, has a lot to offer, and at the same time can also benefit from UNASUR as international observer mission to its elections process.
“I strongly believe that we can’t have sustained social and economic development unless we have political democracy in our society based on free and fair elections,” President Ramotar said.
The call for preservation of the democratic order in the South American space was made by UNASUR’S Pro Tempore Chairman and President of Peru Ollanta Humala who made reference to the creation of the centre of studies on democracy launched in Lima, last August.
“It is not possible to build democracy in the midst of poverty and misery and injustice,” the Peruvian President said.
You must be logged in to post a comment.