Jagdeo touts roadmap to make APNU+AFC one-term gov’t
Monday , October 12 2015, Source
IN ADDITION to pressing for reforms at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) must also work to tackle, head on, the irregularities flagged during the May 11 polls. “We are not totally helpless, even without reforms,” declared Opposition Leader, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, at a Symposium held at Red House, where he was responding to queries form the hundreds who turned out regarding the need to ensure free and fair elections.
Jagdeo proffered the view in reviewing the “dynamics of rigging” one can identify where it happens, at least 300 polling stations.
“We can find 300 of the strongest PPP people who will never allow themselves to be bullied or chases out of the stations in Georgetown and these areas because if we block the stealing there, we win the elections,” he said.
According to him, some 41 polling agents did turn up at polling stations on May 11 for several reasons, including feeling intimidated.
The areas Jagdeo named included South Georgetown, Golden Grove, Buxton, Melanie Damishana in Region 4 (Demerara/ Mahaica) and areas in Region 5 (Mahaica/ Berbice), among others.
The next move to the polls, Local Government Elections, is expected by or before March 2016 according to senior GECOM sources.
Jagdeo contends that the elections are important for the PPP/C and will represent the first step to retake Guyana.
In the meantime, he noted that efforts must be made to rebuild the PPP/C from the ground up.
“All of you, there is no time for any division in our community or party groups across the country; they lost energy- some of our party groups…the comrades who had personality conflicts must shed those conflicts for the good of this party and for the good of the country,” the Opposition Leader said.
Jagdeo added, “We need to fix ourselves first so that we are the strongest organisation so that when the elections come, the outcome will be foregone a conclusion that we will win it handsomely and continue the development of our country.”
He was also asked about the options available to the PPP/C, other than waiting out the full five years.
Jagdeo explained that the options at hand are to either to move a no-confidence motion against the Government or allow the elections petition currently before the courts to be heard. There is also a chance, he said, of early elections if the Guyanese people voice their objections in a signal way to the current administration.
Whatever the option, the Opposition Leader was confident that the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) government is a one-term government.
“This is your fight too….they can’t bully us….PPP supporters have a right in this country too…if you give up they will walk all over us. We can’t give in,” he stressed.
The exchange between the party’s senior members and members of the public took place at a symposium, to mark the 23rd Anniversary under the theme ‘Achievement since October 5th 1992; Democracy under threat since May 11th 2015’, attracted hundreds of supporters who were accommodated on the laws of Red House, High Street.
