Electoral System Reform For A Diverse Nation

Description

ABOUT  THE  BOOK

On the 21st of December, 2018, the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana was defeated in a confidence motion in Parliament. Under the Constitution, this should have triggered the resignation of the Government and the holding of general elections in 90 days. The Government challenged the validity of the motion in court with the matter going all the way to the Caribbean Court of Justice, the court of final appeal in this jurisdiction. Whatever the relative merits of the Government and Opposition positions, these events exemplify a political system constantly in distress, oppressed by acrimony and intransigence. At the center is an electoral system that has failed to function as an instrument for the promotion of harmony, stability and progress. Whereas in other countries the electoral system works routinely to effect change of government when needed, in Guyana the last 55 years have seen two changes, each one attended by political dispute and social stalemate.