Local Government Elections (LGE) will be contested on March 13, 2023 and President Dr. Irfaan Ali has urged all voters and opposition parties to meaningfully participate in the process, reasoning that this is a chance to end mismanagement in communities.
The Guyanese Head of State, in a Facebook address on Thursday night, reminded the public that these elections are an important part of an effective governance system.
“March 13 is, therefore, an important date in which I call all Guyanese to work in renewing our effort at building the governance system, building our communities, strengthening our communities but importantly our municipalities and townships,” he underscored.
Still, he said there was another crucial consideration.
That is, voters have the responsibility to elect representatives who work in their best interest and facilitate these developmental efforts in their communities.
“For too long we have seen what mismanagement can do in townships and municipalities,” the Head of State said, urging people to elect leaders who will serve them well.
He also called on all political parties, including the opposition parties, to get ready for the nationwide elections next year.
This call comes amid statements that at least one opposition party, the Alliance for Change (AFC), plans to boycott the elections over their concerns of a bloated voters’ list- a concern that has been addressed by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and the government.
Even so, President Ali posited that his party, the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) will “deliver a team” that can effectively represent the interests of the people in their municipalities and townships.
A total of $783 million was allocated for LGE and approved by the National Assembly during the consideration of the 2022 Budget Estimates in February this year.
Monies were also allocated in the 2021 Budget for LGE that year, as they were constitutionally due then. Those elections were not held, however, as top government officials maintained that issues at GECOM needed to be fixed.
total bs. Waste parties PPP and PNC spread their stinking tentacles all over the place and you can’t wiggle without them breathing down your neck. Let the community leaders run for election and face the people themselves. Let Region officials do the same. Then we might have better accountability and management.