The American, British and Canadian diplomats in Guyana and the Private Sector Commission (PSC) have come together in a united move to urge Guyanese to ensure they place a high premium on the upcoming local government elections, billed for March 18, 2016.

At a joint press conference on Friday, officials of the PSC and the Western Diplomats expressed the fear that the local government polls may be marred by a poor voter turnout.

In fact, it was acknowledged that Guyanese would be voting in local elections for the first time since 1994 and may have grown unaccustomed to this electoral process.

PSC Chairman Norman McLean called for full participation of all citizens in the electoral process and urged all eligible voters to go out and cast their votes.

“The danger exists that these persons may stay away from the polls on March 18″, he said, while adding that “the casting of votes in the 2015 local government elections is the right of each and every eligible Guyanese. A right moreover, that has long been denied to the people of Guyana. It is incumbent upon each of us to exercise our constitutional right to vote for the candidates of our choice.”

 The Commission said it is known that the local government elections are more than two decades overdue, but it is no longer the time to cast blame, but every effort must be made to ensure arrangements are in place to ensure the success of the elections.

The PSC and the United States, British and Canadian Embassies have received the Guyana Elections Commission’s accreditation to serve as observers.

Together, they intend to deploy over 500 persons across the country.

U.S Embassy Deputy Head of Mission in Guyana, Bryan Hunt said the elections were absolutely critical. “Local government is the first line of defense in any democracy,” he noted,  while joining the call f’or full voter turnout.

The ABC diplomats played a major role in lobbying both the previous People’s Progressive Party and the current APNU+AFC government to hold LGE but said they are now concerned about the voter turn out. (Kurt Campbell)

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