Is this yet another ploy to delay the holding of election?

Dear Editor,

The Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission Ms. Claudette Singh has finally indicated to President David Granger GECOM’s readiness to conduct General and Regional Elections by the end of February 2020. The fact that the date coincided more rather than less with that of the Government-nominated Commissioners has not escaped the notice of the political opposition and the wider international community. In fact, the American, British and European Union (ABE) countries though happy with the announcement by the GECOM Chair, have also expressed concern over the failure of the Granger administration to call elections within the constitutionally due date. One consequence of the current conundrum with which the current administration has found itself is that it could stand in the way of critical developmental assistance to Guyana by western nations.

It remains to be seen how soon a date for elections would be announced now that GECOM has indicated to the President its capability to hold elections by the end of February. It is now not possible to hold elections before the end of February, which goes way beyond an earlier commitment by President Granger to hold elections by November 2019.
President Granger has indicated that he now has to consult with his Cabinet before he names a date for elections. Is this yet another ploy to delay the holding of elections? Time will tell. In the interim, the country is put in a state of abnormality and political uncertainty. Critical developmental assistance from major western nations could be curtailed and major investments in the oil and gas sector could be put at risk.

It is time to put Guyana’s national interest above partisan politics. This will be the true test of political maturity.

Hydar Ally