Former Granger advisor urges electorate to vote wisely, says minority government disastrous for development

As Guyanese prepare to vote in Monday’s general and regional elections, a former advisor to ex-president David Granger has urged citizens to avoid splitting their ballots in a way that could result in a minority government led by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

Political veteran Fredrick McWilfred, who advised Granger and has decades of experience in politics, said a divided outcome could slow the country’s progress. He recalled the difficulties faced in 2011 when the PPP/C held government but lacked a majority in Parliament.

“I know that a lot of people are hoping that even if they win the presidency they would lose the Parliament like in 2011. I think that would be a disaster for this country,” McWilfred said on the Political Insights talk show last week.

He added that if the PPP were to secure the presidency but lose its parliamentary majority, “I think that would be really bad for Guyana because effectively as happened in 2011 the (Donald) Ramotar administration was paralysed by the parliamentary process because they didn’t have the majority to pass the budget and this resulted in a lot of back and forth.”

While warning against a minority government, McWilfred said he believed the PPP/C may be best placed to lead the country, but stressed the importance of a vibrant opposition.

“We need viable opposition,” he said. “If we want the democratic process to be viable, for our systems to work, we have to have a viable opposition in parliament to agitate, to hold the feet of the government to the fire and make sure they stay on track.”

McWilfred also called on the PPP/C not to lose focus on governing inclusively. He noted that the incumbent administration has shown the will to lead the country on a sure path of development and growth.