ERC to closely monitor elections season

The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) says that it stands ready and willing to ensure that as Guyana’s general elections draw near, those who seek to cause havoc and instill fear in the minds of people are stopped.

In an interview with Guyana Times International, ERC Chairman Bishop Juan Edghill explained that the

majority of Guyanese want Guyana to have free and fear elections; a place where there are national stability and a wide acceptance of each other and the results at the end of a poll. He stated, though, that there will always be a small group of people who seek to instill fear in the minds of people. 

“What we have to do is find ways and means of stopping that small group of misguided individuals who seem continually bent on creating fear, mayhem and destruction, from penetrating society,” he said. He was speaking specifically to the recent spate of bombings and fires that have caused unrest among Guyanese who feel that they may be a preview of an unsettled elections period. Bishop Edghill stated that in order to stop these people, the decision makers of the country need to play an active role in ensuring that the environment is one which promotes peace. 

“Fear is something that we cannot allow in our country; fear and intimidation.                        

The intelligence and law enforcement communities should be able to put their hands on the cause and intended outcomes of these incidents and make them public,” he stated.

In response to President Bharrat Jagdeo’s statements denouncing speculations that these incidents are not linked to elections, Bishop Edghill said that this statement should not be questioned since the president would have reliable information coming out of his office. 

Nevertheless, he explained that the overall environment for general elections must be free from fear and intimidation and that the content of political campaigns must be free and fair. He noted that political campaigns will soon enter the public domain and the ERC stands ready to intervene if any of these campaigns get out of hand. 

“The Ethnic Relations Commission is mandated to intervene wherever a candidate or political party breaches the law as it relates to race and ethnicity in Guyana,” he said. He stated that such penalties as sanctions and the barring of political parties from contesting elections for a period of time are included.  However, Edghill expressed hope that the 2011 elections will not have such unfortunate events, and said that due to the proactive education system that the ERC will put in place during the period, such events can be avoided. 

Part of the ERC’s packed agenda is the close monitoring of the content of political campaigns, meetings and rallies. The commission will also be carrying out several initiatives to promote peace and brotherhood among all communities throughout the country. 

Edghill explained that the commission has recently concluded its strategic planning for the elections period, and its activities  include a monthly lecture series which begins later this month; working with cultural groups which will hold ‘culture fests’ to promote brotherhood and tolerance among ethnicities, as well as a major programme called the Plural Societies Engagement. The latter will ensure that there are trained mediators and persons equipped with alternative resolution skills in all communities across the country.