British calls for “long overdue” Local Govt. Elections

British calls for “long overdue” Local Govt. Elections

British High Commissioner to Guyana Andrew Ayre has joined the U.S Ambassador in calling for Guyana to host Local Government elections soon.

On Wednesday night, the British envoy used a reception at his Georgetown home to celebrate the Queen’s Birthday to issue the call for the local government elections. With the President, the Leader of the Opposition and the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission in attendance, High Commissioner Ayre said “I look forward to a date being announced for the long overdue local elections, called for by all the parties in their manifesto”.

The last time Guyana held local government elections was in 1994. Many of the councils that were voted in at the time remain in place while some have been replaced by management committees. Efforts in the past to host the local government polls have been dogged by moves in the parliament to put new legislation in place.

High Commissioner Ayre said he believes local elections will modernise and strengthen local democracy and will in turn give “a new generation the chance to lead and shape their communities”.

Last week, the United States Ambassador to Guyana Brent Hardt made a similar call for Guyana to see the hosting of local Government elections this year. The foreign diplomats have been pushing for a new level of democracy in the country, one that is more inclusive and that caters for the needs of every Guyanese.

The Guyana Elections Commission has indicated in the past that it is ready for local government polls at any time. However, officials at GECOM fear that because the local elections have not been held in such a long time, there might be the need for training of all those who are to be involved and an education too of the voting public.

The British High Commission also touched on other issued during his speech and he reassured that the British Government will continue to work with Guyana to ensure development in a number of areas. Mr. Ayre praised Guyana’s efforts in fighting climate change through the Low Carbon Development Strategy and also assured the President of his country’s continuous support to fight the narco trade and other transnational crimes.

President Donald Ramotar stuck to his script when he  offered best wishes to the Queen on her birthday at the event. The President made no mention of the calls for local government elections but thanked the British Government for its support of Guyana over the years and its commitment to local initiatives to fight climate change.

 

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