wfn.org | BISHOPS CALL FOR ETHICAL CAMPAIGNING IN GUYANA ELECTIONS

[Audrey Whitefield <a.whitefield@quest.org.uk>]

Oct. 21, 1997 
ANGLICAN COMMUNION NEWS SERVICE
Canon Jim Rosenthal, Director of Communications
Anglican Communion Office
London, England

[97.10.2.3]

GUYANA: BISHOPS CALL FOR ETHICAL CAMPAIGNING IN GUYANA ELECTIONS

(ALC) Leaders of the two main Christian denominations in Guyana have
issued a joint statement calling on political parties contesting
Guyana's upcoming general elections to "conduct the political debate on
ideas and programmes and avoid personal attacks especially on the
private life of any of the candidates".

Anglican Bishop Randolph George and Roman Catholic Bishop Benedict Singh
note that all citizens have a responsibility to vote in elections for
the party of their choice based on high moral principles, while "
parties are expected to conduct their campaign in a way that citizens
will feel secure and be enlightened  by the way issues and ideas are put
forward and analysed."

Bishop George, descendent of Africans brought to this former British
colony as slaves, and Bishop Singh, from Hindu ancestors who came as
indentured (bonded) sugar cane plantation workers, called on political
leaders to reject all forms of racism or racial analysis which can lead
to a sense of insecurity and fear during and after the election period.

General elections are due in Guyana before year end and in the past
parties mainly supported by the main Indo-Guyanese and Afro-Guyanese
ethnic groups in Guyana have traded racial and often violent attacks
against each other.

The bishops, who have often taken joint stands on human rights issues in
the past, called on parties to support the country's Elections
Commission in its efforts to work out the best possible arrangement for
free and fair elections.

They also said "the electorate should expect and demand from  the
contending parties a measure of respect for their integrity and their
ethical principles".

The ruling People's Progressive Party of former President Cheddi Jagan
who died of a heart attack earlier this year is being led into the
elections by his widow, US born Janet Jagan, while the main opposition
party is led by former President Desmond Hoyte.