With the date now set for Local Government Elections, President Irfaan Ali is urging citizens and political parties to fully participate in the elections on March 13 next year.

The Opposition APNU+AFC which has been pushing for a clean voters list, is yet to confirm whether it will contest those elections.  The AFC has indicated that it has no plans to contest the elections.

In a message last evening the President said local elections are important for the sustenance of the townships and NDC’s.

“Local governance and the local government system is an essential part of our governance framework. We promised that as soon as GECOM would have alerted us that they are ready for the Local Government Elections we will spare no effort or no time in calling the local government elections,” President Ali said.

As he encouraged citizens to vote the President said citizens must make a choice that will see a better system of governance in their communities and towns.

“March 13 is therefore an important date to which I call upon all Guyanese to work in renewing our effort at building the governance system, building our communities, strengthening our communities but importantly, our municipalities, our township. For long we have seen what mismanagement can do in townships, in some municipalities and in some areas,” the President said as he urged citizens to elect leaders with a vision.

With the elections date now set, the President said that the Opposition should participate in the imminent elections even though he did not touch on the claims the Opposition have been raising.

“We urge all stakeholders to participate fully in this process. We ask all political parties in opposition to get ready, you have long enough notice be part of this democratic process. We believe in democracy, we believe in allowing democracy to work and we believe that the people are the custodian of their will,” President Ali said.

Local government elections were constitutionally due last year, but was put off due to COVID-19 restrictions and other factors at the Guyana Elections Commission. This will be the first time Local elections will be held under a PPP government in more than two and a half decades.

Local Elections were last held under the coalition administration in 2018.

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