By Donya L. Francis a 24 year from St Kitts-Nevis, presently studying in Taiwan- (Journalism and Mass Communication) From Barbados Underground

Where were they when what happened in St Kitts-Nevis took place in Guyana?

I am writing on behalf of the youths and the Kittitians and Nevisians who have similar questions. What happened in Guyana after the elections? Where were the results? Is this going to be a trend that the Caribbean will be following?

No results until days after the elections. We must become more cooperative and responsible. We must not jeopardize people’s right to know. The world is watching us; the youth are still looking up to those who are older.

Now, let’s go back to February when the same happened in St Kitts and Nevis, we had leaders from other Caribbean islands jumping on the internet calling for a swift reading of the results, as they were “concerned that the region’s reputation for democracy and for free and fair elections will be under threat as long as this issue in St Kitts and Nevis remains unresolved.”

I understand that we had our wrongs and we take full responsibility for what happened. I am sure that the new government is now working assiduously to right the wrongs. Many have been saying that this should not have happened because St Kitts and Nevis only has approximately 30,000 registered voters. The size doesn’t really matter, not when we have people contesting to run a country. We are all human beings and things happen. The Caribbean electoral systems need to be relooked at and be fixed immediately. They are failing the democratic nature of the region.

Okay, back to the recently concluded elections in Guyana. I want to say congratulations to the new president and his supporters, the people have spoken. You are now in charge of Guyana’s biggest business, all the best. I must say that the silence from the other Caribbean leaders on the late announcement of the results was very appalling. When little St Kitts-Nevis had this same issue, a number of them were quick to make calls for the announcement.

So, to all of the leaders who quickly opened their mouths on the St Kitts-Nevis elections; were you sleeping when the Guyana elections took place? Did you not ‘hear’ of similar cries from the people of Guyana? Did the size of Guyana and the number of voters prevent you from speaking? Are you siding with the argument of ‘Guyana is not a part of the Caribbean but South America’ or you were just patiently waiting like the rest of us?

Maybe you all did address the situation and I stand to be corrected and if that is the case please lead me to them. I await responses. Maybe the population of Guyana made it understandable for the results to be read almost three days after as it is so huge.

If you are going to speak to one, you must speak to all.

IMAGE: By Donya Francis

For more on this story go to: https://barbadosunderground.wordpress.com/2015/05/23/caribbean-leaders-silent-on-guyana-elections/