The convening of local government elections is critical for the future development of the country, according to Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr Nicole Giles.

Giles was speaking today at the commissioning of the project for the live streaming of sittings and other events of the National Assembly to a dedicated website.

Noting the country’s advances on e-governance, Giles said: “…it is also critical that that the citizens of Guyana have fully functional structures in place at all levels of government, including at the local level. It is equally important that the citizens of Guyana are able to exercise their voices and rights through their votes in selecting their own government, including at the local level. Local elections at this stage of Guyana’s rapid development can only serve to build on progress already made and are critical for its future development.”

Her statement adds to the growing calls from local groups and Western countries for the government to proceed with local government elections.

A range of civil society groups have stepped up calls for local government and so have foreign missions. The head of the EU delegation earlier this month called again for the government to proceed with local government elections.

Earlier this year civil society groups and the western missions here had issued a joint call for these elections to be held.