– include amendment on mayoral elections despite firm opposition

Local government elections have been postponed until next year when key constitutional reforms are expected to be in place, but the way has been cleared for the holding of mayoral elections.

The National Assembly unanimously supported the passage of the Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendment) Bill, which carries the elections forward to a date on or before December 1, 2009. But the government used its majority to include an amendment to the bill that makes provision for the elections to be held for mayor, deputy mayor and/or the positions of chairman and deputy chairman within the local municipalities at the request of the local government minister.

The amendment which was included reads: “Notwithstanding anything in section 2 or in any other provision of this Act, the Minister may request of a local democratic organ (or on his instructions) authorize the holding of election at any time for a Mayor, Deputy Mayor, or a Chairman or a Deputy Chairman of a local democratic organ.”

While the bill was accepted with some cynicism by a few opposition speakers, the amendment was rejected as a move to give “ministerial dictatorship to the local government minister over the City Council”. Members questioned its late addition to the bill, in reference to the short notice members of the assembly had to peruse it; around an hour prior to it being read in the assembly.

A division was called on the amendment after strong objections were raised to its inclusion in the bill, and subsequent to further amendments being proposed by Opposition Leader, Robert Corbin. But government denied Corbin’s proposals and included the amendment on a vote of 29-22.

Local Government Minister Kellawan Lall, who moved the bill and its amendment, referred to the latter as a critical piece of legislation arguing that it empowers the local democratic organs to hold the elections for mayor and other positions after many years. He dismissed notions that the amendment was sinister, declaring that he is merely seeking to have the mayoral election held in keeping with the City Council Act.

But Corbin called for the amendment to be re-drafted referring to it as a move by the government to give the minister dictatorial powers over a council he has already attempted to direct. He strenuously rejected the amendment and proposed two further amendments that were ultimately defeated. Corbin also pointed to a section the Municipal and District Council Act, which he said, makes provisions for the elections.

Government speakers, in supporting the bill to postpone local government elections, distanced the administration from any foot dragging on the issue of the constitutional reforms that must be in place for the elections to be held. Without directly pointing fingers at the main opposition party they said that government has always been ready, and is in fact willing to have the elections “tomorrow”.

Lall argued that the elections must be held to infuse new blood into the management of local government affairs across the country, but noted that the task force on local government reform must be allowed to complete its work, and that the Guyana Elections Commission must also be in a state of preparedness citing its ongoing efforts at concluding cross-referencing and the ongoing continuous registration process, which should finish by mid-next year.

He charged that those who are responsible for delaying the entire process “know themselves”, and that “some have used the City Council for political posturing” over the years. Lall added that the local government system currently lacks enthusiasm and the community spirit that allows it to work effectively.

But Corbin declared that there has been a resistance by government to have the necessary constitutional reforms in place and warned that it is dangerous to consider holding such elections without having those reforms in place. He noted that the work of the task force had been affected for various reasons in the past, but argued that the PNCR has fully supported this work and has advocated for it to be wrapped up in a timely manner.

Donald Ramotar, PPP/C MP said his party has never been afraid to face the poll, and that it views local government elections as a fundamental part of the democratic process. He said government has a vested interested in the elections, adding that they are ready for the elections tomorrow.

Alliance For Change MP Khemraj Ramjattan said he was forced to support the bill to postpone the elections since he viewed it as just another tactic to have the elections delayed yet again. He contended that the absence of a definite date being included in the legislation speaks to a mindset that “refuses to define how early is early”.

Ramjattan said the elections had been delayed for far too long, and argued that the PPP/C and PNCR have created the impasse by refusing to reach agreements on the joint task force. He argued that the AFC had been denied a place on the task force despite its call for inclusion, and called again for a place on the task force.

He further rejected the amendment in relation to the mayoral elections stating that it had no place in bill and called for it to be withdrawn.

PNCR MP Basil Williams was the other member who spoke on the bill and he argued that the government representatives on the task force had been seeking to stall the process by devising “suspect” meeting hours among other things.

Meanwhile, the controversial Trade Union Recognition (Amendment) Bill was deferred last night following strong objections by the opposition.