LGE 2023 voting process free, fair and transparent

requires: (i) transcending boundariesofrace,ideology, region, and other differences; (ii) must have a clearly defined objective; (iii) it must have staying power;(iv)itmustbeledby charismatic leader(s) who also have a track record of accomplishments; and (v) it must revolve around a particularphilosophy

A young and energetic leadership recognizes that theimportanceoftraditional approaches to politics had notresultedindemonstrable advance in the quality of living, the narrowing of regionalresourcedisparities, andanysignificantreduction ofpoverty(34%).

Winning state power is not enough. They believe that they must rise above ideology, race, and other barriers to lift Guyana into the21stcenturyandprovide the good life for every Guyanese. And the vehicle for this transformation is 21CTMOV. The PPP/C leadership knows that citizens have been moving away from race-based to issue-based voting as evidencedinthe2006,2011, 2015, and 2020 national polls. For example, in 2006, the new AFC party won 5 seats and in 2011, it won 7 seats. These were at the expenseofthePNCR.

At the 2015 polls, about 10% of traditional PPP/C voterscasttheirfranchisefor thePNCR-ledcoalition.

The PPP/C would have notwinthe2020pollshadit not been for crossover voters These crossovers were influenced by issues. This emerging trend would integrate well within the 21CTMOV and add momentum to it. The force of the 21CTMOV has been resonating well at the PPPC’s LGE 2023 campaign. The proverbial ‘redwave’builtaroundgrass roots governance and mobilization, has been sweeping across the country and shown also on TV and podcast screens in Guyana andinthediaspora.

These powerful signals indicate that Guyana is on the path to break away from the shackles of racism, ideology, and other barriers which have historically tormented citizens and stymied the country’s development This movement finds its full expressioninthephilosophy of ONE GUYANA (where commonalties take precedenceoverdifferences, where race is demystified, and where nationalism is paramount).

The 21st Century Movement is poised to put GuyanaandGuyaneseinthe best socio-economic place theyhaveeverbeen.

And the results of LGE 2023willtesttheefficacyof the21stCenturyMovement.

Sincerely,

Dr TaraSingh

DEAREDITOR, The Ethnic Relations Commission,(ERC),having observed the voting process in five Administrative Regions at over 250 Polling P l a c e s f o r L o c a l Government Elections, found it to be free, fair, transparentandconductedin anatmosphereofpeace.

The Commission would liketocommendPollingDay staffoftheGuyanaElections Commission,(GECOM),for theprofessionalexecutionof theirdutiesandtheresulting efficiencyoftheprocess.

The ERC is thankful for the exemplary conduct displayed by polling agents from all sides, and police officersfortheirsecurityrole inensuringsmoothpolling.

The Commission also takes this opportunity to commend citizens for their participation in the incidentfreepollandwillcontinueto worktothebestofitsability to aid the promotion of harmonyandgoodrelations.

Asthecountryawaitsthe f i n a l r e s u l t s , t h e Commission, guided by history,remainsmindfulthat these circumstances can heightenanxietiesandhopes theresultswillbeannounced within the shortest possible time,andberespected.

The ERC remains resolute that credible LGE elections is vital for the benefit of citizens and eventual transformation of communities through local democracy - in the regions, villagesandtowns.

All stakeholders are therefore urged to work assiduously to ensure that communities are developed in the interest of the inhabitants.

The Commission wishes to state that the holding of free, fair and transparent elections is a vital tenet of democracy and for the promotion of unity and peacefulco-existence.

The ERC fielded an observer team of more than 50membersforRegions3,4, 5,6and10.

Regards, Ethnic Relations Commission