In keeping with the government’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and transparency in the electoral process, the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance today hosted the National Stakeholders Forum at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.
Over 100 organisations were invited to have their concerns addressed as well as to lodge recommendations. This is one part of the continuous consultation process which began in 2021.
Proposed amendments to the Representation of the People Act were presented, as well as two additional proposals: the National Registration (Amendment) Bill, and the Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill.
In delivering remarks, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Hon. Gail Teixeira stated that the consultation process serves as a testimony to the administration’s commitment free and fair elections.
“The Government of Guyana remains committed to creating more robust and coherent elections legislation as part of the democratically developing architecture of One Guyana,” she said.
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, stated that the catalyst of the reform process was the 2020 elections debacle. He said a series of provisions were put in place to strengthen the accountability process on voting day.
“We examined the law, and where we found ambiguities, we sought to clarify that. There is not a single proposal on these pieces of paper that are intended to create an electoral advantage for any political party. We are prepared to hear an argument if one feels that there is some bias or prejudice towards any particular sector, or segment of the country. These reforms are good for the system, the process, the country, and for democracy,” he stressed.
Additionally, Regions Three, Four, and Six will be divided into sub-districts, each distinguished by the names and acting independently. Region Three will be separated into three polling sub-districts- namely Essequibo Islands and River, St. Lawrence to Cornelia Ida and Den Amstel to Arabio Creek.
Region Four will be divided into four units: East Bank Demerara, North Georgetown, South Georgetown and East Coast Demerara, while Region Six will be divided into three sub-districts; East Bank Berbice to Canje, Upper Corentyne, and Lower Corentyne. This is to enforce greater levels of accountability and coherence in the electoral process.
In addressing concerns, AG Nandlall noted that the plight of polling agents who have had to go above and beyond to fulfill their duties has been taken into consideration and that measures have been put in place in the amended legislation to ease the burden.
“We have put in the legislation here arrangements for changing of the staff during polling day. There are mechanisms in place for there to be a break, and a change, if possible,” he said.
In response to a concern regarding measures put in place to combat unregistered deaths posing a threat to the credibility of the voters’ list, he expressed that approximately 90 per cent of the deaths within the country are registered, and noted that the floor is open for suggestions on mechanisms to sanitise the voters’ list.
“The PPP/C will never be opposed to any form of scrutiny over the electoral process. In fact, we are championing the cause for more scrutiny. We have always been supportive of a process that makes the system transparent, that makes the system responsible and accountable,” the attorney general declared.
He also reiterated that technology has been and continues to be implemented in the electoral process.
“The current law doesn’t speak to how the statement of poll is to be displayed. Now, we are putting in the law that the statements of poll can be presented manually or electronically. The point is two-fold; one, that it is the statement of poll being projected, and secondly, those who are entitled to participate and observe are given a fair and adequate opportunity to participate and observe,” Minister Nandlall explained.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, and Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud were also in attendance at the forum.
Taken from Department Of Public Information
Two hundred small business grants, 2000 part-time jobs, $800M for housing infrastructure, billions to be spent on roads – these are just some of the announcements as Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo launches government’s part-time jobs initiative and cash grant assistance for Region Ten.
On Saturday, May 28 2022, a team from the Office for Climate Change along with Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Hon. Gail Teixeira M.P., consulted with residents of Bartica and other villages from the lower and middle Mazaruni areas.
The onging consultations form a core part of the inclusive and participatory approach to developing the Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030. Minister Teixeira, who is the Geographic MP for Region 7, has been assisting with the cooridination of consultations in the region. In April, a similar consultation was conducred in Kamarang with representatives of villages from upper Mazaruni.
All Guyanese are invited to make their inputs and share their views at www.lcds.gov.gy
On the eve of the 56th anniversary of Guyana’s independence, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, MP, assured residents of Cuyuni-Mazaruni that Guyana is moving ahead with a vision for a transformed and diversified economy.
The flag raising ceremony was hosted at the Bartica Community Center ground on Wednesday, to foster cohesiveness and an appreciation for Guyanese patriotism.
In her feature address, the minister explained that Guyana is blessed as a country, with its myriad of natural resources that continue to benefit the people.
“We have a vision of a diversified economy, an economy that can deal with agriculture, oil and gas, bauxite and gold and diamonds and forestry…we have a vision for our nation and for ourselves,” Teixeira noted.
Further, the minister reminded residents that though the government is implementing several measures to mitigate the increases in cost of living, many of the factors responsible are external.
“There are many things as a country we can try to control, but we cannot control what’s going on in the world. COVID has had an enormous impact on the cost of living in the world,” she explained.
As the gateway to the hinterland, the minister noted that projects such as the new Linden to Mabura road will allow for massive economic expansion for the township of Bartica. The road, which is the first phase of a much larger project, will connect Lethem and surrounding communities to Linden and will allow for easier travel and transportation of goods.
Minister Teixeira encouraged citizens to continue to be proud of their Guyanese heritage, irrespective of where they may find themselves in the world as Guyana’s upward trajectory continues.
“This time now, this is the golden era of Guyana. We have reached a level of maturation as a country that we as a people…have a clearer vision of where we want to go,” she said.
She said government will continue with its commitment to work with all members of society to foster transformational development in Guyana.
“Let us work together, let us find a way in Guyana that we are able to agree to disagree, to agree to work together on some issues…and to move this country forward,” the minister urged.
Relaying the plans for the township, Mayor Gifford Marshall said assistance from Central Government has allowed for major transformational projects to take place.
“Through the relationship with the Regional Democratic Council and by extension a number of government agencies and departments, the development of Bartica must and will continue, and a number of projects…will be realised this year,” Marshall explained.
Guyana gained its independence from the United Kingdom on May 26, 1966.
Taken From The Department of Public Information.
Scenes from cultural presentations at this afternoon’s flag raising ceremony at the Bartica Community Centre Ground in Region 7.
HAPPENING NOW || Hon. Gail Teixeira M.P., Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, is attending the regional flag raising ceremony In Region 7 (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) in commemoration of Guyana’s 56th Independence anniversary.
