AG chronicles PPP’s decades-long struggle to defend Guyana’s democracy
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall has chronicled what he described as the decades-long struggle of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and other democratic forces to defend free and fair elections and democratic governance in Guyana.
Speaking on his weekly programme ‘Issues in the News’, the AG reflected on several pivotal moments in Guyana’s political history, beginning with the 1968 elections, the first elections held after the country gained Independence.
According to him, the introduction of overseas voting shortly before the 1968 elections became a major avenue through which the elections were allegedly manipulated, resulting in the People’s National Congress (PNC), the governing party at the time, securing 30 seats, while the PPP secured 19 and the United Force four seats.
Minister Nandlall noted that the experience demonstrated the importance of strong electoral safeguards and effective legal mechanisms to protect the democratic process.
Minister Nandlall also pointed to the 1973 elections, when he said international observers were barred, and proxy and postal voting were introduced as additional mechanisms through which the electoral process was allegedly manipulated.
Further, he recalled the political repression of the period, including the detention and prosecution of political opponents and the killing of prominent figures, including Dr Walter Rodney in 1980.
According to Minister Nandlall, the 1980 elections represented another significant point in Guyana’s electoral history, with the PNC securing 41 of the 53 seats, while the PPP won 10 and the United Force 2.
He said these experiences form an important part of Guyana’s democratic history and must be understood to prevent similar developments from happening again in the country.
“This is our history. And unless we accept this as our history, then we may continue to allow these atrocities to return,” the AG said.
Meanwhile, Minister Nandlall drew a direct connection between Guyana’s historical struggles and the 2020 General and Regional Elections, highlighting the role of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in resolving the legal disputes that followed the elections.
Minister Nandlall added that the PPP’s long-standing struggle for free and fair elections remains central to the country’s democratic development, while underscoring the importance of preserving the institutions and safeguards that protect the will of the electorate.
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