Dear Editor,
President Irfaan Ali, over the weekend, announced that Regional and General Elections are slated for September 1. While this is welcomed news, I cannot help but reflect on the uncertainties that surrounded the last elections in 2020.
If you recall, although the elections concluded in March of that year, it was not until August that President Ali was officially sworn in. This marked the first time in Guyana’s history that a president took office five months after an election had ended.
As we look ahead to the upcoming elections, I sincerely hope there will be no repeat of 2020. Guyana’s economy is currently soaring to unprecedented heights, driven by rapid developments in the oil and gas sector and our country simply cannot afford another drawn-out electoral crisis. The repercussions would be detrimental—not only to our economic momentum but also to investor confidence.
What message would this send to current and potential investors? Would any investor feel secure operating in a country where election results are notoriously prolonged and uncertain? I think not.
It is for these reasons that I call on all politicians and political activists to act with maturity and responsibility as September approaches. For the sake of our nation’s progress and stability, this is the only path forward.
Sincerely,
K. Bisnauth
