By Stabroek News
Dear Editor,
As Guyana continues to mature as a democratic nation, it is important that we take a hard look at the mechanisms that drive our electoral processes, especially those that have persisted since the colonial era. One such mechanism is the use of political party symbols鈥攐riginally designed to help the illiterate voter identify their party of choice on the ballot. While once necessary, their continued reliance reveals an uncomfortable truth: our nation still harbours a significant segment of the electorate that is not adequately informed or educated to participate in elections beyond symbolic recognition.
Symbols such as the Palm Tree, Key, Cup, or Cockerel have long been embedded into our political identity. But what happens when voters cast their ballots based solely on these images, without fully understanding the ideologies, policies, or track records of the parties they represent? The system, intentionally or not, fosters political loyalty based on generational allegiance and image recognition, not critical thinking or informed choice.
This becomes especially troubling in rural and underdeveloped communities, where access to civic education, unbiased news, and issue-based political debate remains limited. In these areas, party symbols are not just helpful tools鈥攖hey become the only recognizable element of the political process. Politicians are well aware of this dynamic and, in some cases, exploit it by reinforcing tribal loyalties, ethnic narratives, and patronage politics, all while avoiding meaningful policy engagement.
If Guyana is to truly advance, we must move beyond a system that reinforces dependency and passive participation. This includes a national commitment to voter education, media literacy, and inclusive civic engagement that empowers every citizen鈥攔egardless of education level鈥攖o vote based on understanding, not just memory. Symbols may remain part of our ballots, but they should not remain the crutch of our democracy. Let us invest in a future where all voters can see beyond the image and think critically about what and who they are voting for.
Keith Bernard