Guyana's Elections

Next month there will be elections in Guyana. Yes, for the most part, people will yawn. Its boring. But maybe that is the strategy of those in power to remain so. Nobody votes nothing changes. Another 5 years of what we have already and since the direction is downward, this will continue.

A honest assessment of the PPP/Civic government shows that yes they have dones some good for Guyana. There has been some infrastructure build up. Roads are either built or are being built. They've managed to reduce the national debt which threatened the future of Guyana.

Often, comparison is made between them and the PNC as to what was done during its tenure and today. Well the PNC has been out of power for 14 years so it makes no sense to compare at this time. We'll just produce the report card to see whether they've done good or bad.

Before we do this, we must understand what are the main indicators of a growing, prosperous and secure country. Here are my grade for he current PPP/C administration based on indicators I feel should be the pillars of progressive societies.

Freedom C+
First and foremost, freedom. This includes freedom of speech, freedom of expression, freedom to protest etc. For this I give the PPP/C a C. The PPP has not moved to end the publication of outspoken media, but they have moved to try in some very nasty and abusive ways to stop various media. In particular was CN Sharma who was denied power to his TV station and his equipment seized after he showed pictures the government didn't want to be shown when the floods hit Guyana in early 2005. The action was quite draonian but was not unlike what the US and others do. In the second Gulf War (Shock and Awe), only the "glamorous" pics were shown. I guess the government wanted to do the same. However, their aversion to freedom of speech was quite a problem and if you want a progressive society, you can't be hiding and filtering information. Overall, they're not actively trying to control all information going to the Guyanese public but only ones they feel might be a problem to their agenda.


Iain