Dear Editor,
The crux of the issue, as put forward by Speaker of the House Ralph Ramkarran, is not overseas voting, but rather, the very serious consideration of violating the provisions of the constitution of Guyana.

Mr Ramkarran did indeed mention that the issue of overseas voting was not discussed by his political party, the PPP. “It has certainly never been discussed,” he said, while demanding that it was an issue for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), which would be violating the constitution if it made no provision for the registration and voting of Guyanese living overseas. “The right of Guyanese resident overseas to register and vote is not a matter of my advocacy or desire”; this right is provided for in the constitution, he wrote.

Quite clearly, therefore, now that this has emerged, the question of observing the provisions of the constitution becomes most compelling. We, the people, cannot in all conscience condone the violation of the rule of law.

Equally pernicious is the very lame branch on which the opposition PNCR seeks to perch, namely, that of not being enticed into a debate on “this latest attempt to divert us from the pressing issues of the day.” Well, I seriously have to ask what can be more damaging than to condone the violation of the Guyana constitution.

These politicians are really overdoing themselves in assuming that they can be taken seriously.

Yours faithfully,
David DeGroot