The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Alliance For Change (AFC) today said that after much debate it has arrived at a consensus that the party will not contest the upcoming local government elections (LGE) without changes to the list of electors.
The AFC says it has concluded that no election should be held on the existing list of electors because it is “bloated, illegitimate and a source of electoral fraud”.
It said that on the face of it, the current list contains the names of the deceased, migrated and duplicates.
The NEC said it believes that participating in these elections with a list proven deficient and containing widespread discrepancies would perpetrate a fraud on the Guyanese people and undermine our democratic system.
The AFC added that it has already called on the Guyana Election Commission (GECOM) to produce a credible voters’ list by conducting a certifiable house-to-house verification and registration process.
“Accordingly, we would go as far as supporting the postponement of the LGE as was done in 1992 to present a “clean” voters’ list to the electorate.
“We have also indicated our acceptance of using biometrics and the necessary electronic equipment to enhance our voting experience and reduce the propensity for impersonation. However, as warned, we will not participate in the upcoming Local Government Elections if these changes are not made to bring legitimacy to our electoral system”, the party said.
The people of Guyana have a right to feel confident in its electoral system, like the voting public in the United Kingdom or elsewhere, without unnecessary workarounds, the AFC added.
The AFC which is currently in a partnership with APNU had taken part in the last local government elections on its own.
