Every Guyanese must have listened to the viral voice note warning of PPP plans to suppress the vote at the March 02 Elections. According to the voice on the recording, the PPP disbursed $100M to certain named operatives. This money is to be used to ensure younger voters are not available to vote, by luring them away from their homes in the days leading up to the elections, with offers of jobs.
This is a new strategy, but voter suppression has always been a PPP election tactic. Over the years, most of us must have heard some young people saying, “I not voting, no matter who wins I still have to work.” However, this is not an original thought, it is an idea that was carefully planted by the PPP.
During the 2006 elections, the PPP mounted a sophisticated campaign in South Georgetown. Operatives were inserted into gatherings of young people to plant the idea that they don’t have to vote, because no matter who wins they still have to work. These operatives, under the direction of a boisterous senior PPP functionary, injected this statement in every conversation about elections or politics. Eventually, many young persons thought that it was cool to repeat the statement themselves. Soon young role models and opinion leaders were parroting the same thing.
The last two elections were decided by just over 5,000 votes. A PPP campaign to lure young people away, and prevent them from voting, could create enough disruption to determine the outcome of the elections. Be vigilant! Educate young people. Let them know, anyone trying to orchastrate their absence on elections day wants to keep them in poverty. Let them know that one week wages cannot be substituted for a lifetime of the Good Life that will be delivered by President Granger. Adults will have to keep their eyes and ears open. Any sudden talk of new job away from home must be nipped in the bud.
Even talk about voting does not matter will have to be addressed. Young people must be told that wages and salary is but a small aspect of life. Let them know that education, health care, infrastructure improvement, improved sports facilities, etc. are some of the things at stake.
The response to the voice note had been astonishing. It is truly viral. I am sure I received it at least 100 times. So I asked myself, are people actually sending this voice note, or is this a case of a virus infecting phones and causing automatic distribution to everyone in the friends list? I asked myself, how could the PPP benefit from the widespread distribution of this voice note? Is the widespread sharing delivering information to PPP operatives about the party’s strategy? Is the public discussion about this voice note having a divisive effect that will benefit the PPP?
Whatever the origin, there must be a response to the voice note, and so far it has been robust. However, we must move into the education phase beyond Facebook. Talk to Young people in the homes, communities, churches, mosques and temples. Engage them on the ballfield and in the pasture. Wherever you see them talk with them. And another thing, the APNU-AFC tent is a tent for all Guyanese. Let us ensure our discourse, both public and private, reflect that.
Everyone must work together to ensure the PPP voter suppression campaign is defeated.