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FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS VITAL TO DEMOCRACY, OAS ASSISTANT SECRETARY GENERAL STRESS TO GUYANA PRIVATE SECTOR FORUM

Stressing free and fair elections as vital to democracy, Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS) Albert R. Ramdin told a private sector forum in Guyana that “the alternative–not having elections–is generally counterproductive, costly and damaging, creating greater insecurity and instability.”

Although elections can be held without democracy, “one cannot have democracy without legitimate, transparent, free and fair elections,” added Ramdin, who noted that elections in a democratic society provide a unique opportunity for the electorate to indicate their priorities, interests and concerns. And, he said, public trust can be gained through assurances of an independent, well-mandated and equipped electoral office or commission; timely execution of election activities from the start of the process through the end; clear deadlines for defined activities; thoroughly trained electoral workers; an ongoing process of public education and public outreach; a credible voters’ list; and a secure environment for voters.

In his keynote presentation to the public forum organized by the Private Sector Commission of Guyana, Ambassador Ramdin underscored the importance of the perception by the electorate that elections meet the criteria for being transparent, free, fair and credible. “Elections are considered to be ‘fair’ when the state and relevant institutions provide the conditions for a reasonably ‘level playing-field’ for candidates, parties and citizens in the electoral exercise,” he said, noting this depends largely on the existence of an independent, impartial electoral authority and equitable “rules of the game” on such as political party formation, party and campaign financing, and access to media, polling sites and other key electoral installations.

The organization and management of elections is critical so that losing candidates can accept that they have lost fairly, according to the will of the people, Ramdin stressed. “For reasons of democratic governability, no country should be held hostage by the unwillingness of politicians and political parties to accept the outcome of elections.”

Ramdin also noted other important ingredients of a viable democratic system that include respect for human rights, the rule of law, separation of powers, and the existence of a transparent, responsive and accountable government to create and promote social and economic opportunities and growth. He argued that “even so, it must be reiterated that, although one can have elections without democracy, one cannot have democracy without legitimate, transparent, free and fair elections.”

Others participating in the forum included Yesu Persaud, Chairman of the Private sector Commission, Sir Paul Reeves, special envoy of the Commonwealth’ s Secretary General, the Guyanese Prime Minister and members of the Cabinet, among others.

Ramdin will report to the OAS Permanent Council next Tuesday, on this visit to Guyana, during which he also visited with President Bharrat Jagdeo.

Reference: E-031/06