Youths prepared to let their voices be heard at LGE
[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9B2WfdG_7-s” width=”100%” height=”315″]
─ youths set to take to the polls at upcoming LGE
─ youth vote can push development within communities
─ “it is important for young people to vote because that is our right…”
DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, October 2, 2018
With Local Government Elections just over a month away, young people are ready to step out and let their voices be heard. Youths will be among those taking to the polls in the second local government election being held under the auspices of the current government, on November 12.
Many are of the view that if they do not vote, their voices as young people will not be heard and issues affecting them will not be addressed.
“Every issue is a youth issue and if young people do not go out and vote, of course, it is your democratic right and if you want to see better for your country, you must not only champion it by words but of course by actions and that action of course is to go out and vote,” said Kibwe Copeland, a youth from Georgetown.
Out of Lethem, Region Nine Vaughn Duncan said: “I feel voting is very important because it not only contributes to democracy, it tells your elected members you are giving them a privilege and a power to make decisions on your behalf.”
In New Amsterdam, Region Six, Antacia Thomas is of the opinion that if she does not vote, then she should not be upset when things are not being done to develop her community. “If I do not, then I should not have any say on the problems that are going to be in society if the person elected does not do what is expected because then I would have had an opportunity to make a difference. I would have had an opportunity to have somebody there to do the things that should have been done, but if I do not vote, how can I say anything if I am unhappy” Thomas said.
Ashan Khan from Rosignol, Region 5, also shared similar sentiments. Khan said that “it is important for young people to vote because that is a right and if we do not vote, then we have no right to say anything when bad experience comes up. Who are we going to complain to? So, everybody should be voting, it is our right and it gives us right to speech.”
Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, at Nomination Day for the Local Government Elections said this is a crucial step in the evolution of local democratic governance. November 12 will mark the first time in the Post-Independent history of Guyana, that successive Local Government Elections (LGE) are being held as legally and constitutionally due.
By: Isaiah Braithwaite.
Image: Jules Gibson, Jameel Mohamed and Keno George.