After 23 years in government, the People’s Progressive Party Civic is proposing in its 2015 elections manifesto to publish Codes of Conduct for cabinet members and public officials at all levels.

The codes are expected to set the standards of acceptable behaviour of those elected officials.

The ruling party in its vision document titled “Guyana Version 2.0” says tougher stance against corruption at all levels of Government and society will be adopted by instituting mechanisms for greater transparency and accountability.

This comes after several Ministers and senior government officials have faced harsh criticism for unacceptable conduct and alleged corruption, some while serving in their official capacity.

Presently, sections of society are calling for the resignation of Health Minister Dr. Bheri Ramsarran following his verbal assault of a female rights activist last week. President Donald Ramotar who at the Saturday launched assured that the promises in his party’s manifesto were no gimmick is yet to heed those calls.

The manifesto also promises the establishment of a Special Investigation of Corruption body with powers to investigate corruption and prosecute crimes of corruption.

The ruling Party is also proposing to appoint the Public Procurement Commission, an action the Parliamentary Opposition has been pushing the administration throughout the last Parliament to do.

The PPP is also promising the establishment of confidential complaints mechanisms to encourage people to report incidences of corruption and the strengthening of laws and regulations with regard to bribery of public officers and officials.

Meanwhile, the PPP Civic has proposed the passage of a series of new legislation should it win the next elections and secure a majority in the National Assembly.

The proposed new legislation is expected to enhance the security sector and protect citizens and include a Bail Act, a Jury’s Act, an E -Transaction Act, a New Arbitration Act, a Hire Purchase Act, a Whistle Blower Protection Act and an Electronic Communications and Transactions Act.

The PPP/C also promises to draft and present before the National Assembly for its passage a Juvenile Justice Act, a Motor Vehicles Insurance (Third Party Risks) Amendment Act, and Amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering & Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act.

The 23 year old administration wants to review the legalization on the use of marijuana and on the quantities that attract mandatory minimum jail sentences.

The PPP says over the years, successive PPP/C Governments have pursued the objective of strengthening the security and judicial sector, with significant success.

In the area of policing and the criminal justice system the PPP/C will continue to focus on people’s experiences of insecurity and injustice.

Their commitment in this regard includes completing and implementing the Security Sector Strategic Plan of the Guyana Police Force, improving partnerships in the security system to ensure the criminal justice system works effectively and efficiently through collaboration with the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Chambers and the Judiciary and providing resources and support for a professional Army while expanding its Reserves.

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