A geographical constituency system will enhance the quality of our democracy
Dear Editor,
Distinguished Guyanese Dr. Bertrand Ramcharan - and now Mr. Terrence Campbell - have weighed in with useful contributions on the List System debate. (Read Ramcharan’s letter on Feb 2nd and Campbell’s on Feb 4th in SN). Ramcharan calls for bringing back the Geographical Constituency System (GCS) while Campbell wants a hybrid that incorporates the GCS.
The whole country is broken down into 53 Geographical Districts (GD). Let candidates residing in each GD run for seats in the parliament. They must do so without endorsements and support from political parties. They must use their own resources, record of service and popularity to win elections. So elected, these Members of Parliament will not have ties to ethnic parties. They will be bona fide representatives of their district – and they will represent the best interests of their districts. The key idea of this proposal is to reduce the “racial power” of ethnic parties.
The list system is currently the law of the land. It should be abolished for the simple reason that it deprives geographical constituencies of representation in the parliament. Currently folks in Geographical Districts do not have an identifiable representative in the
Parliament. Secondly, the List System aggregates power in the hands of the leaders of PNC and PPP. Each party is perceived as an ethnic party. PPP is perceived as Indian party; PNC as an African party. So, the List System only helps to balkanize the two major races. The List System does not help to promote National Unity; it serves the cause of Disunity.
How do you go about to get support for abolishing the List System?
Both PPP and PNC love the List System. They will never agree to cut down the pillars that empower them. Ask ABC & EU countries to support the cause of Constitutional Reform. These liberal democracies (LD) recently entered the fray - and settled the 5month long election impasse. By the same token, they also have the power to insist on and possibly even to impose Constitutional Reform.
Replacing the List System with the Geographical Constituency System would be a monumental first step to reduce the power of racial politics which is the source of all racial tensions and racial troubles in the land. This single measure enhances the quality of our democracy and also helps to promote national unity.
Sincerely, Mike Persaud