By Dominic Gaskin
In the same way that charity begins at home, one might say that democracy starts at the local level and that, without this most basic form of representation, citizens have little or no control over what takes place in their communities and how it affects them. The damage done by the prolonged absence of local government elections cannot be undone by simply holding these elections at some point in the near future.
Our next Local Government elections, whenever they are held, will bring a glimmer of hope and mark a turning point in what can only be described as a shameful and totally unnecessary setback to the institutionalization of democracy in this country. It will take a few more electoral cycles before the citizens of Guyana gain the confidence that comes with regularly choosing which persons will manage the affairs of their communities.
While our national politics may not improve, it is hoped that with the new local government legislation in effect, some aspects of governance at this level will improve and councillors will at least be responsive to the needs of their electors. Each of the seventy-one elected bodies will have to set their own
