Elections in Guyana are always attended by unique drama, if not at the beginning, then at the end. Where else in the world would Russian journalists be accused of rigging the elections by manipulating figures on computers while armed with lead pencils and writing pads? Where else in the world would a President agree to a recount and then remain silent while a senior member of his party challenges the decision in Court? Where else would members of a governing party, during a recount of the ballots challenge, without evidence, the bona fides of tens of thousands of voters who were registered and voted under the most stringent conditions and then declare that the Opposition Party rigged the elections? Where else in the world would a governing party, which has the power to compile an electoral list before elections, complains after the elections that a “bloated” list facilitated the rigging of the elections by the Opposition? Where else in the world can a neat political trick of the victim be accused of being the perpetrator be tried?
But I’m getting ahead of myself. The launching of the campaigns and nomination day are spectacular The music, the colours, the joyous crowds, the dancing, never cease to entertain. Kaleidoscopes of red, green, yellow, blue, purple explode. The list of nineteen symbols was not published, but some names of political parties which did not submit lists were arresting. The one that rolled off the tongue with a flourish is GAMERICA – Guyanese for Accountability, Meritocracy, Equality, Reform, Inclusion, and Collaboration with America. GAMERICA promised American passports. One of the founders told me that eighty percent of Guyanese would like to have such passports. Had it not been formed too late to gather up a list of candidates, it would therefore have stood a good chance of winning a majority of seats. Hell, I may even have voted for it. Having an American passport would have saved me the hassle of applying for a visitors’ visa.
“Unity,” or variations of the word, were found in eight parties. Therefore, a dominant trend in the naming of parties is unity. The sentiment of unity, however, did not completely prevail on nomination day. “Dirty Doggie,” known as Bradley Sampson, was filmed gun-butting a member of WIN because she demanded the full amount of $50,000 that she was promised for attending the event. She alleged that “Dirty Doggie” gave her only $20,000. Her story may have been true because the Leader, having been recently released from police custody in which he spent four hours, was photographed with her while “Dirty Doggie” was downgraded to being a supporter, not a member. ‘Dirty Doggie” was charged with eight offences arising from the incident. He is looking for another party to throw his weight behind because, he says, he wants a party that will “have his back.”
At the time of writing, the names on the lists have not been officially published so that a full analysis cannot be made. But at his press conference last Thursday, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo praised the list as being balanced, having a large number of youth, women, professionals and others. He did not mention if on the PPP’s list was that shining example of political disrepute, Dr. Asha Kissoon, Deputy Speaker. Dr. Kissoon, who claimed not to have learnt her political principles from a church, migrated to the PPP from the TNM after refusing to resign her seat upon her allotted three months as an MP being over so that ANUG’s representative could take over as agreed in the joinder agreement between the TNM, ANUG and LJP. The Vice President did not indicate how many Guyanese voters are likely to be inspired to vote for the PPP/C by the notoriety of the betrayal by Dr. Kissoon, even if she is not on the list. No doubt, there would be much backslapping from her new PPP colleagues when she lands that big job after the elections.
Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton also praised his list as being balanced and as having persons with experience. Among the many interesting names on APNU’s list are Anthony Vieira, Jacob Rambarran and Dr. Terrence Campbell. Dr. Campbell’s last foray in politics was as a founding member of ANUG before it quite got off the ground in about 2018. He publicly and abruptly resigned and publicized his long association with the PNC after Rickford Burke threatened him with calling for a boycott of his businesses.
The least interesting events are the publication of the manifestos. The only way that a manifesto will capture my imagination is if, as the British Labour Party has promised, the voting age is reduced to 16, which I would support. The platform speeches are not inspiring. No one today can match the great platform speakers in our political history – the eloquence of Forbes Burnham, the passion of Cheddi Jagan, the inspiration of Walter Rodney. While political party meetings will enthuse the crowds, modern campaigning has made much use of television advertisement. The creative jingles produced by the main political parties have been truly exceptional. APNU did have its day, but the PPP/C dominates the airwaves with its instantly appealing and memorable jingles. The election results? Let’s leave that for another time.