Corrupt activities are offspring of Local Govt. Elections denial – Transparency Inst.

By Zena Henry
Transparency Institute Guyana Inc. (TIGI) has joined the long list of public, private, local and foreign bodies who have called for long overdue Local Government Elections (LGE). The body took note of the statement by the local elections commission chairman who confirmed the readiness of the agency on word of the relevant Minister, and raised its voice in calling for the holding of Local Government Elections as early as possible.
The group which seeks to promote public accountability and transparency has linked the current corrupt activities of certain sectors as a direct offspring of LGE denial.
According to a public missive from the agency it was stated that, “one consequence of not having local government elections for 17 years is the weakening of  Neighbourhood Democratic Councils, and in particular their decreased financial accountability, as revealed in successive reports of the Auditor General.”
The body stated that the inevitable lack of financial oversight increases the likelihood of inefficient and corrupt spending. In addition, the failure to hold local government elections is contrary to the Rule of Law and good governance.
The agency reminded that the last time LGE took place was in 1994, “although the law requires them to be held every three years.”
Article 12 of the Constitution states that local government by freely elected representatives is an integral part of the democratic organization of the State and is reinforced by Article 71 (1) which states that local government is a vital aspect of democracy and shall be organized to involve as many people as possible in the task of managing and developing the communities in which they live.
TIGI pointed out that the denial of LGE is also a denial of citizens’ democratic rights.
“The failure to hold local government elections is a denial of the democratic rights of the people of Guyana to choose who amongst them should manage the affairs of their communities. Ironically, this is the most devastating charge that the present Administration consistently and constantly levels against the previous Administration in relation to the latter’s 28 years in power.
The state of disrepair of “our garden city” capital is testimony to the devastating effects of not having in place a system whereby citizens can periodically review the performance of elected officials and take appropriate action when such performance does not measure up to expectation. The same can be said about several other local government organs.”
“TIGI notes with regret that the National Assembly had passed a Bill in February of this year for those elections to be held no later than August 1, 2014, but the Bill is yet to be assented to. TIGI also took note of the statement from the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Dr. Steve Surujbally, confirming the Commission’s readiness once the Minister of Local Government issues relevant directive. TIGI therefore urges the Local Government Minister, Norman Whittaker to do so without further delay.
“The local anti-corruption agency is of the firm view that, “the time is long overdue for the appropriate changes to be made to the composition of the Guyana Elections Commission so that it comprises members who are independent of the electoral process.”
While GECOM noted on several occasions that it is in a position to facilitate LGE pending the date given by the Local Government Minister, the government has claimed several reasons why LGE should not be held. It used GECOM as one excuse, saying that the body was not ready for local polls, with some governing party members who are a part of the elections commission coming out in defence of the Administration’s excuses.
Outside of that, Minister Whittaker claimed that the populace is not adequately informed about LGE and its process. He even stated that citizens were not in the mood for such an exercise.
However agency’s such as the local US Embassy and other diplomatic offices among several individuals and agencies have continuously reiterated calls for the local democratic process.