Press Release- 5th December, 2021
This was published as a press release on 5th December, 2021.
ERG AGM
The Electoral Reform Group (ERG) was launched a year ago to work towards meaningful electoral reform and an inclusionary democracy, using dialogue as a strategic tool for building consensus on the eventual reforms.
As a democratic organisation, the ERG held its second Annual General Meeting on December 4th, to account for the work done over the past year and to elect the executive that will lead the group over the next year.
We are pleased to announce that the Implementation Team of Desmond Thomas, Heetasmin Singh, Kerry Anne Cort-Kansinally, Lawrence Lachmansingh, Rene Edwards, Rory Fraser and Vanessa WIlliams will continue in office. For the next year, ERG’s Coordinator will be Desmond Thomas.
ERG Views on Electoral Reform
The ERG aspires to represent the electoral reform needs, interests, and views of Guyanese at large. To this end, the Group is on record as holding the following views:
1. The proposed amendments to the Representation of the People Act (RoPA) are a welcome opportunity for national engagement on electoral reform
a. ERG recognises that RoPA reform is necessary ahead of local government elections and the next national elections.
2. The RoPA amendments require thoughtful inputs
a. ERG will produce an analysis of the proposed RoPA amendments for consideration by all stakeholders.
3. ERG urges an extension to the 6-week RoPA process
a. ERG urges that government consider extending the 6-week deadline for inputs, to facilitate the increased awareness and participation of citizens in the RoPA amendment process.
4. RoPA amendments alone are insufficient
a. ERG contends that Amendments to RoPA alone, while necessary, are insufficient to address the core of Guyana’s electoral problem.
b. ERG anticipates that subsequent reform processes will be initiated by policy makers to address large and outstanding electoral reform needs that the RoPA process may not address, such as the composition of GECOM, the voters list, and the regulation of political parties.
5. The core electoral challenge is the electoral system
a. ERG believes the core of the electoral reform agenda over the next few years must necessarily be a focus on reforming the electoral system itself so that those who are elected are accountable primarily to voters and demonstrate increased capacities for political cooperation.