Harmon maintains...

Freedom House. You were not spared. We had an IMC installed here in Linden, subverting the will of the people. We will have no more of that my dear Guyanese sisters and brothers. This will not be condoned,” he said.

Harmon reminded that Article 71 of the Constitution provides that local government is a vital aspect of democracy and shall be organised so as to involve as many people as possible in the task of managing and developing the communities in which they live. The same article states that Parliament shall provide for a countrywide system of local government through the establishment of organs of local democratic power as an integral part of the political organisation of the state.

He noted that the Municipal and District Council Act provides that the elections be held every three years.

While this Act only addresses elections in municipalities, a series of amendments passed unanimously in 2018 have amended the Local Authorities (Elections) Act to harmonise the period for election of councillors of NDCs with that of councillors of municipalities.

The amendments provide that elections shall be held once every three years on any date during November 1st to December 7th of the third year, counting from the year in which the term of office of the council started, which date shall be appointed by an order of the Minister of Communities (Local Government).

“What Irfaan Ali is proposing is again an abandonment of constitutionally guaranteed Local Government Elections which is critical to Democratic renewal. This is being constantly repeated by his Attorney General. These are more compelling signs that the PPP regime is intent on going back to their days of dictatorship in Guyana. I am sending this clear signal to all the people of Guyana will resist a dictatorship of the PPP. Local Government Elections must be held,” he concluded.