BRIEF BACKGROUND ON THE HOLDING OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and the PPP/C Government have always, and will continue to agitate for the holding of Local Government Elections. When Dr. Jagan led PPP/C won the General and Regional Elections in 1992, President Jagan, immediately set a target to have Local Government Elections, which were due since 1968, held as soon as possible,

POSTPONEMENT OF LOCAL GOVENRMENT ELECTIONS (1997)

· Local Government Elections were last held in 1994, the first time under the 1980 Constitution and was constitutionally due again in 1997, the same year in which, National and Regional Elections were constitutionally due.

HOLDING OF GENERAL & REGIONAL ELECTIONS 1997

o The Guyana Elections Commission, (GECOM), based on our country’s legislation, was engaged in preparation for the holding of General and Regional Elections. Thus, Local Government Elections were re-scheduled to a later date.

o The holding of General and Regional Election takes precedence of Local Government Elections

AFTERMATH OF ELECTIONS 1997: BAD LOSERS TOOK TO THE STREETS 1997:

o Unfortunately, after the results of the National and Regional Elections were announced, the then PNC Party took to the streets and created mayhem.

o Recall, the number of stores which were looted, buildings destroyed by arsonists, the number of persons who were robbed, assaulted and raped by these so called protestors, parading the streets of Georgetown under the direction of leaders of the PNC. These destabilizing actions, all attributed to losers who misguided their supporters a=with propaganda of victory, resulted in the intervention of CARICOM, (3 wise men).

o Consequently, the Hermanston Accord was brokered, which among other things, required that Constitutional Reform be undertaken and completed before the next National and Regional Elections. It must be noted that the Constitutional Term of Government was reduced from 5 to 3 years. It is of extreme importance that we do not lose sight of these facts and the relevance to the holding of Local Government Elections.

o A forensic audit was undertaken by CARICOM.The findings validated the results declared by GECOM. Simultaneously, CARICOM’s “Good Officers” were engaging key political functionaries from the PPP, PNC and other political parties in Guyana.

CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM (1998-2001)

o The Revised Constitution required that Local Government Reform be undertaken before the holding of Local Government Elections.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT TASK FORCE (2001-2008)

o Thus, a bi-party Local Government Task Force was established in 2001, with two co-chairs, one from the PNC and the other from the PPP.

o This Task Force after labouring for 9 years, finally in 2008, indicated to His Excellency, the president of the Cooperative of Guyana and Mr Corbin, Leader of the PNC that it has completed most of its mandate, (not all), but cannot proceed any further due to lack ofconsensuson some issues.

BILLS TAKEN TO THE 9^TH PARLIAMENT (Select Committee) 2009

· The PPP/C government, once again, conscious of the need to hold Local Government Elections, sought the assistance of the Attorney-General’s Chambers and tabled the following Bills in Parliament in 2009:

1. The Local Authorities Elections (Amendment) Bill.

2. The Local Government Commission Bill.

3. The Local Government (Amendment) Bill

4. The Fiscal Transfer Bill.

5. The Municipal and District Councils (Amendment) Bill.

· All these Bills were referred to the Parliamentary Select Committee.

· The first Bill completed by the Committee was the Local Authorities Elections (Amendment) Bill. This Bill was assented to by His Excellency in September 2009 and paved the way for GECOM to commence preparation for the holding Local Government Elections.

· It must be noted that since 1997, this was the closest Guyana was to, once again, holding Local Government Elections.

· The PNC/R and other opposition MPs on this Committee were very selective in their attendance at the Select Committee resulting in only PPP/C MPs being in attendance most of the time.

· The Select Committee has completed an additional 2 Bills in approximately one year, as was stated earlier with little or no attendance from the opposition MPs.

· If these Parties were serious on having the reform process completed then they should have made adequate use of the opportunities provided at the level of the Select Committee and in the Parliament.

PREPARATION FOR THE HOLDING OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS 2007-2010

o In January 2008, GECOM commenced a new House to House Registration exercise in preparation of an updated National Register of Registrant Data base. This was as a result of the signing of an MOU by the Political Parties in Parliament in the presence of the Diplomatic Community at the Office of the President.

o This updated Database was intended to be used as a base for the holding of Local Government Elections.

o The PPP and the PPP/C Government stood ready to move the process forward so that the Elections be held in 2010, s proposed. This was a further testimony of their commitment to local democracy.

CLAIMS AND OBJECTIONS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS (January – February 2010)

o The Local Authorities Elections (Amendment) Bill was assented to by his Excellency in September 2009 and paved the way for GECOM to move on with the holding of the Local Government Elections.

o The Minister of Local Government and Regional Development published an order declaring the number of seats on each Council (LAA) and the number of PR and First Past the Poll Seats in each Council.

o GECOM commenced demarcation of Constituency boundaries.

o With 2 Bills remaining at the Select Committee, the PNCR and AFC demanded that the Reform process be completed before the holding of Local Government Elections.

o The process was discontinued at the request of the then Leader of the Opposition.

o The 9^th Parliament ended and only one Bill was fully completed.

RETABLING OF BILLS IN 10^THPARLIAMENT: June 2012

o The 4 Bills were updated based on the work of the Select Committee and were Re-tabled in the 10^th Parliament in June-July 2012.

o Bills were referred to Select Committee, which had a majority of Opposition members and was controversially chaired by Opposition member, Basil Williams.

o Constant manipulation, unwillingness to heed advice, listen and learn and lack of knowledge of the existing legal framework for Local Government by members of the Opposition resulted in some of the Bills being unacceptable since some of the contents conflicted with existing Laws including the Constitution of Guyana.

o The Select Committee completed its work in July 2013 just before recess.

BILL ASSENTED TO BY HIS EXCELLENCY

o The Local Authorities Elections (Amendment) Bill.

o The Local Government Commission Bill.

o The Fiscal Transfer Bill.

o The Municipal and District Council (Amendment) Bill.

BILL ASSENTED BY HIS EXCELLENCY

o Local Government (Amendment) Bill

PRESENT SITUATION:

o The PPP and the government is concerned over the manner in which the opposition are treating with Nation’s business, one can only hope that we will not have a repeat of 1997, where GECOM will be forced to commence preparation for National and Regional Elections and so once again Local Government Elections will be delayed by the “tricks” Opposition Parties.

o Meanwhile, the Hon. Minister of Local Government has repeatedly explained why these elections must be held urgently. The majority of Guyanese residing in Local Authorities Areas are expecting these elections as soon as possible.The PPP is ready for these polls.

o The PNC in government delayed the elections for some 24 years and out of government has continued to play a significant role in delaying the holding of Local Government Elections post 1997,