Guyanese must now again fight for democracy

Dear Editor,

Mr Jagdeo is right to lay down the law on the PNC that the PPP will not agree to extend the Government beyond March 21. This looming constitutional crisis is created by the PNC and PNC alone. Mr Granger’s PNC refused to set the election date and is fabricating shenanigans to extend its stay in power. The PNC is not listening to the sane voices, and is in maximum obstructionist mode to the holding of elections. I hope the Court of Appeal sends a strong message to the PNC that the Chief Justice’s rulings are not mere optional suggestions.

I trust that the PPP is all set to internationalise Guyana’s situation when the government loses legitimacy, as the PNC is hell-bent on not holding elections within the constitutional time frame. If we are surprised at Granger refusing to follow the Constitution, we must remember that Granger never renounced Burnhamism. Instead, Granger has given over his house to host the Burnham Foundation. Granger is playing “bad man” in his statement that the PNC is not going anywhere and that the PNC will wait until all appeals are exhausted. The PNC’s refusal to announce the election date 55 days after its “no-confidence” defeat is right out of the Burnham playbook. The Guyanese people must now fight again for democracy. I call on the legal fraternity to form a “defence of democracy” group by volunteering to fight all the PNC undemocratic actions.

I applaud the civil society grouping formed to pressure the government to follow the Constitution and name the date for election.

The refusal of the PNC election commissioners to meet with the Carter Center shows that they are not interested in elections now. Such arrogance will come back to bite them. The PNC simply has no shame and demonises itself and supporters by refusing to follow the CJ’s rulings.

Yours faithfully,

Jerry Singh