Dear Editor,
The wind of change is blowing through the democracies. Long-established incumbents seen as corrupt governments in Sri Lanka and Nigeria were unseated by new parties promising change. And now Guyana. The losing parties in these countries immediately conceded defeat and congratulated the winner. A perfectly reasonable and healing way to react. Desmond Hoyte did so in 1992. That was too much to expect in Guyana. Now we have a president who cries foul and wants a recount of every individual ballot in all ballot boxes. The request (or was it a summons) to the diplomatic representatives of the ABC countries to attend the Office of the President, presumably to persuade them to withdraw their position that the elections were free fair and reflected the will of the people, was rightly refused.
So best wishes to the people of Guyana in voting in a new government that promises the lean and clean government that Dr Cheddi Jagan promised in 1992. Of course we the people will be monitoring it and will take the necessary action in 2020 if these promises do not materialise.
Yours faithfully,
Peter Douglas
