WHO WON? CERTAINLY NOT THE PEOPLE

The results of the GE2020 are on hold possibly for a couple of days.
The PNM has claimed victory with a reduced majority from 23-18 to 22-19 in the Parliament. Significantly, they have not been given a Special Majority in Parliament by the electorate so they can exercise power with impunity.
Neither side has gotten the outcome they wanted from these elections.  
The UNC is asking for recounts in 3 constituencies hoping to snatch some more seats and Government from the PNM. The PNM has repeated its intention to file an Election Petition to try and snatch 1 seat from the UNC.
They cannot do otherwise. These gatekeepers of the status quo exist for the purpose of trying to gain political office or hold on to it.
However, those episodes turn out, the result will be that either side of the PNM-UNC political monopoly will occupy the positions of power with a narrow majority to the Government side.
Our society is in a dire situation of crisis in its economy and fiscal matters. There is a deep crisis of the politics in which the power to deprive is used to keep the body politic out of political affairs and decision-making. We are in a serious social crisis which includes the unrelenting scourge of violent crime continues to threaten the safety and security, and lives of all citizens.
We have to cope with the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic. The education system is in need of urgent overhaul to be able to produce the kind of citizens our situation requires.
The outcome of these elections regardless of  which of these two parties forms the Government will bring NO solution to the chronic and ever-deepening all-round crisis in which our society is submerged. Neither of these gods of plague can cure the ills of this society.
The Crisis of Governance and Politics will only get worse.
This electoral process has revealed once more that it offers no real choice to the Electors and only decides which of the monopoly parties becomes the Government.
To those 70 candidates who attempted to offer us a choice in these elections and different voices in the Parliament, our thanks.
You must now thoroughly analyse this experience and examine the entire electoral and political processes of this society and draw appropriate conclusions. You must understand correct the errors and shortcomings of this effort.
You must continue to fight for the Democratic Renewal of the electoral and political processes for the sake of the People and the future of the Society. Opting out or giving up in the fight to provide effective Parliamentary representation and other voices there and make Government accounting to Parliament Real is not an option.
We, the People, Must Now become the Governance Observer Mission and Hold All those elected or appointed to positions of Power to Account.
As citizens, we must act by being constantly vigilant, defending our Rights against incursions of any kind, safeguarding and strengthening our unity and understanding and getting involved in the political affairs of the society.
We must build a citizens’ non-partisan political organization to achieve having a real say in governance and all matters affecting the nation and the People.
In this period of unprecedented crisis, what is needed is a governance of national unity and participation, not the unbridled rule of a privileged sectional interest.
 
Clyde Weatherhead
A Citizen Fighting for
Democratic Renewal
11 August 2020
 

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