1992 saw the return of free and fair elections to Guyana. It was open to international observers, including the international media and saw the end of multiple voting by supporters of the then party in government, the PNC. The supporters of the PPP, then in opposition, were sure that their votes would be counted and turned out in their numbers to cast their ballots. Change came to Guyana. Unfortunately, the post-election period was overshadowed by fear, particularly in Georgetown, given the protests and riots that followed and the claims of disenfranchisement.
The PPP won that election, to the relief of many who had lobbied for fair polls, including prominent members of the business community. That party then remained in power for the next 22 years, changing only the persons at the top. While 1992 was a watershed for Guyana, its gains were unfortunately not maximized. There was a disturbing amount of hatred and bitterness by Guyanese for Guyanese and this was manifested in tangible and intangible ways. What was needed was a bridging of the divide forged by the practised politics of ethnicity, but that never happened.
There was a perception that it was payback time and despite claims to the contrary, there was no visible inclusion of or tolerance for anyone who did not toe the party line. Ethnic voting patterns, already an issue, grew even more entrenched. The appeal to ‘race’ and the distinction between ‘them’ and ‘we’ dogged the next four election campaigns. Yes, issues were raised, progress was noted and mistakes were highlighted. Yet, for the most part, the rank and file members of the two major parties were reminded that they should stick with their ‘own’ regardless. While, no doubt, there would have been persons who used their intellect while casting their ballots, they were not significant enough to create a trend. The majority blindly continued to vote based on ethnicity or if they were disaffected enough, they did not vote at all.
The Alliance For Change was formed in 2005 amid attitudes of recalcitrance and in recognition that Guyana was caught up in the throes of a good thing gone bad. It put itself forward as a party of unity—its founders coming from the two major parties plus the WPA—and a force for change. It was clear that many recognised the need for this when in 2011, that party managed to win 7 of the 65 seats in the National Assembly, ushering in for the first time in Guyana, a minority government.
Power, ever a fluid thing in politics, began to shift. Thoughts and ideas about governance began to see a swing, but not across the board. As the saying goes, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, and it soon became clear that the old tricks were not going to cut it; it was obvious from the outside looking in. Even as the PPP dug its heels in, it was pellucid to everyone else that it was losing its grip. Clear cut cases of corruption and nepotism were embarrassingly not dealt with. So-called secret deals that proved costly for the country were horrifyingly shrugged off.
While the May 11 election was an extremely close one, it will likely prove, once the right surveys are done and statistics collected that there is a new constituency; the educated voter, mostly young but not necessarily so. It is being touted as historic and 2015 as the year change came to Guyana, but this is yet to be definitively accepted. The election, difficult as it was, was the easy part. The hard work has now begun and it will be that much harder, taking place as it is in the constant glare of exposure offered by social media. As the old Guyanese saying goes: “This time nah lang time.”
How this new government deals with appointments of ministers and other key people will begin to reveal whether there is in fact real change. Many things look promising, but action will determine their genuineness. As usual, the election period and its aftermath have shown that there still is a deep divide among the people of Guyana. Healing is needed and it will take the realization of the much touted inclusionary politics and a great deal of magnanimity from all concerned for it to take place.
