Updated: Volda Lawrence is PNCR’s Chairwoman; Granger hails “clean” internal elections, party unity

August 20 2018

Source

Volda Lawrence clinched victory to become Chair of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), and at the end of the keenly contested race party leader David Granger  assured that the elections were free and fair.

“The process might have been slow and difficult but it was clean and complete,” Granger, who is Guyana’s President, said in his charge to the newly-elected Chairwoman and two Vice Chairmen.

Lawrence, in brief remarks after Granger, thanked God -especially Christians. She said she does not bring gold or silver but a “heart for the people of Guyana”. Pledging to work hard to ensure her party remains in government for decades to come, she committed to supporting Granger and rallying the womenfolk for him. “I also pledge to work with our leader and leaders to ensure that we address the needs of our people and that we all work together in unity and as we leave here, let us remember that we all are members of the greatest party in this country- the People’s National Congress Reform,” she said in her victory speech. “To our leader, I say that I will walk side by side with you and I will bring the women with me and we will carry you and we will carry this party onward,” she said.

Against the historical background that the PNCR’s has been allegedly involved in electoral irregularities nationally and at its internal elections, Granger said Sunday’s voting for office bearers for the next two years signaled that his party is committed to democracy.

“We have a mission and what occurred over the last few days is a vindication of our commitment to the people of this country. The people have seen transparency, they have seen democracy, they have seen clean elections,” he said.

Official results released by Returning Officer, Attorney-at-Law, Hewley Griffith early Monday morning show that Lawrence clinched the second top elected spot by 346 votes compared to Joe Harmon’s 287. The Vice Chairpersons are Annette Ferguson with 260 votes and Dr. George Norton with 242 votes. David Granger was re-elected as Leader unopposed as was Treasurer, Ronald Bulkan.

Griffith said counting for the other posts on the PNCR’s Central Executive would continue later Monday. Sources said 829 votes were cast for the various positions. For the first time in recent memory, delegates did not vote for each candidate, but cast their votes for all of the candidates listed  on one ballot. At least one person was heard insisting that the long established approach be used.

Before the official announcement and when it was clear that Lawrence won, many of the remaining delegates and observers erupted into chants of “Unity, Unity, Volda, Volda” even as she and Harmon stood side by side and held hands in a show of unity.

For party leader, President Granger, he highlighted that the party was united, despite weeks of a bruising campaign especially between Lawrence and Harmon across Guyana and overseas. Outgoing Chairman, Basil Williams who mustered 183 votes did not campaign as intensely as the two other contenders.

“They might have been rivals in the campaign but they are colleagues and they’ll all be at Cabinet on Tuesday morning,” Granger said, noting that the internal party contest was over and the campaign for the November 12, 2018 general elections campaign has now started. “There are no victors, there are no victims. We are all working to a common destination and we are all working for the common good,” he added.

Granger said “at the end of the day we are one party” which is important to its members and country. “I mention these two things: your holding of high office in our party and the holding of high office in government because in the final analysis it’s Guyana that counts. They serve the party but they serve the country first and tonight has been a demonstration of that dual responsibility,” he said.

The PNCR Leader used the opportunity to state that his party was leading Guyana into an era of greater social equality among all geographic regions, ethnic groups and social classes while at the same time being ready to meet with its political opponents. “We are leading Guyana forward into an era of inclusionary democracy in which we are prepared to meet and speak with our political opposition and members of civil society,” he said.

Appealing to party members to “keep faith with us” over the next few years where there is safety and social cohesion in contrast to the period under the People’s Progressive Party-government that has been characterised by heavily armed gangs and death squads that had resulted in the deaths of hundreds of civilians and law enforcement personnel.

Harmon was nowhere to be seen after the speeches were delivered, but outgoing Chairman, Williams said he did not lose although he polled the third lowest in his bid to be returned to the post of de facto deputy leader. “The party has decided it’s time for a woman and I’m happy for Volda,” said Williams who has served three terms as Vice Chairman and two terms as Chairman. “I don’t think I lost. I could have stepped aside …I didn’t campaign but I had a purpose for staying in,” he said. When pressed on why he thought he did not lose even though he came in third, Williams suggested that he stayed in the race to ensure Harmon was defeated. “Look at the effect of those votes. Anyone could have dealt with them; the second place man could have utilised my votes. It was a great decision for our party. I am happy to have been part of it,” he said.

A well-known Stabroek Market vendor, on leaving Congress Place- the PNCR’s headquarters- remarked openly that, “We ain’t want no PPP crew in here. BK got to pack up and leave” in apparent reference to Brian Tiwarie who was at one time closely associated with the PPP.  Harmon and Tiwarie are also believed to be longtime friends.

A delegate from Region Nine (Upper-Takatu/Upper Essequibo also praised Lawrence for being supportive of the Amerindian communities in that southern Guyanese region. “Ms. Volda is the only person does go to Region Nine and visit the Amerindian communities. Harmon and Basil don’t go anywhere,” the woman said

Congrats to Volda.  Guyana needs a black woman President.

Bibi Haniffa posted:

Congrats to Volda.  Guyana needs a black woman President.

Why?

Volda trounces competition

Victory! Newly elected chairman of the People’s National Congress Reform, Volda Lawrence (seated at centre) flanked by her supporting team minutes after she was declared the winner of the chairmanship of the party. Lawrence campaigned along with party stalwarts Joseph Harmon and Basil Williams for the post. Her win will go down as an achievement in party history as she is the first female chairman to be elected.

August 20 2018

Source

Volda Lawrence was just after midnight today declared the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Chairman beating out Joseph Harmon by  59 votes in a  win that President David Granger believes is one for women everywhere.

When the results were officially announced sometime after 12:30 am, Returning Officer Hewley Griffith declared Lawrence, who is the Minister of Public Health, the winner and informed that she had secured 346 votes against Minister of State Harmon’s 287.  Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams received 183 votes Griffith said.  Williams’ result would represent a major defeat for him and the hope of being considered as a likely successor to President Granger.

Lawrence had also secured one of the two vice-chairman positions with 244 votes along with Annette Ferguson who got 260. However, given that she was the winner in the Chairmanship race, the 2nd position went to Dr George Norton who got 242 votes.

Women power ! PNCR's new Chairman Volda Lawrence (right) and vice Chairman Anette Ferguson

President Granger was returned unopposed as  leader while Ronald Bulkan was also returned as the Treasurer unopposed.

Following the declaration, the President gave the charge to the new executive. Granger stressed the importance of gender equality and said that he feels that a female Chair and Vice Chair is a signal of the direction the party is going where women are taking up more leadership roles.

“I believe in gender equality. I am the first President to introduce senior counsel for females…for the first time this year 2018, there have been more national awardees who are women. I can’t overrule democracy but I try very hard to ensure that women are well represented at all levels of the party. That is my general philosophy,” a beaming Granger stressed. 

“I can’t say ‘Don’t put this person because he is a male’ but the people understand what I want, what the party wants and what the party is calling for. So I am very satisfied that I have a female Chairman and a female Vice Chairman,” he added.

For her part, Lawrence told the President that she understands his vision for women and will make right by him as she executes  her duties championing the rights of the underprivileged.

“I do not bring gold or silver, but what I bring you is a heart for the people of Guyana. I promise to walk the walk and talk the talk. I pledge to walk the walk and to talk the talk to ensure that we remain in government for the next 5, the next five, the next five… I also pledge to work with our leader to ensure that we address the needs of our people and that we all work together in unity and as we leave—- all are members of the greatest party in this country. Let us walk with purpose and dignity and show the Guyanese people that this is the party to be a member of,” an emotional Lawrence said to screaming supporters who stayed to celebrate with her.

Turning to President Granger she vowed, “I will walk side by side with you and I will bring the women with me and we will carry you and this party onwards.”

Granger said that he believes that the elections were demonstrative of democracy and while the process might have been slow and difficult, it was “clean and complete.”

Voting started sometime after 11 am and this newspaper was told that it was because there was a power outage. Later in the afternoon there were periodic announcements on the Public Address system for persons to behave orderly.

Voting ended sometime after 6pm and the counting of the ballots began immediately after.

Emotions ran high for Lawrence’s supporters who could not contain themselves with joy and continuously screamed her first name as they formed the letter for it with their index and middle fingers.

“This is what I am talking about and I have waited for years to see. Here we have a woman as Chairman and should be taken as a signal that we can have a women as our presidential candidate and President of this country,” Cullen Moore said.

Worth every minute

“The process was long but it was worth every minute of it,” he added

Granger added:  “Political office is not a glamorous affair …At the end of the day we are one party and our party is very important not only to us but to the country. The persons who have been elected understand this duty. They have been long-standing members. And each elected member is a member of my cabinet. Rivals in the campaign but they are colleagues and they will all be at cabinet on Tuesday morning.  We in the PNC know who we are and we know what we have to do and we know where we are going. We have a team and under my guidance will work together. These are not strangers. I have worked with them as shadow ministers, in cabinet. We have a mission and what occurred over the last few days is an indication of our commitment. The people have seen democracy transparency …We are going to the future with eyes wide open”.

“ …I ask you the members of the public to keep faith with us. Just as you kept faith, the same with us over the next two years and beyond and we will lead you to that promised land. There are no victors and victims. We are all working for a common destination,” he added.

For Williams and Harmon there is no animosity and it is now time to join forces with Lawrence as the party strategizes and plans for the November Local Government Elections.

“The party has won! I think that this is a historic moment in our party when we have an opportunity to work together to build our party. I don’t see a defeat here I see that we have all won out of this.”

 “It has mobilized our base so you can feel the energy in here. I want to congratulate Ms. Volda Lawrence on her victory and I want to congratulate all the other members; the Vice-Chairmen…two of the persons who scored very high were on my campaign team,” Harmon added.

Williams said that “It is the time for women, the party has spoken, the woman has won and I will support the woman. It is a great win and we will move forward together.”

Griffith also gave the results of all the other persons who had contended for position of Vice Chairman. Aubrey Norton secured 236 votes, while Christopher Jones received 226, Cosbert Roberts, 16, Jermaine Figueira, 22, and Thandi McAllister, 84.

@Django

Thanks for contributing the detailed reports to this thread.

Looks like the opportunistic Brian Tiwarie's presence at Congress cost Harmon some voters.

Gilbakka posted:

Looks like the opportunistic Brian Tiwarie's presence at Congress cost Harmon some voters.

Possibly,

Granger need to boot him,he is also close to OL and sometimes take his advice.

Django posted:

Gilbakka posted:

Looks like the opportunistic Brian Tiwarie's presence at Congress cost Harmon some voters.

Possibly,

Granger need to boot him,he is also close to OL and sometimes take his advice.

Tiwarie or Harmon? Looks like you know plenty.

skeldon_man posted:

Django posted:

Gilbakka posted:

Looks like the opportunistic Brian Tiwarie's presence at Congress cost Harmon some voters.

Possibly,

Granger need to boot him,he is also close to OL and sometimes take his advice.

Tiwarie or Harmon? Looks like you know plenty.

Harmon.

Got the info from family member.

Django posted:

Gilbakka posted:

Looks like the opportunistic Brian Tiwarie's presence at Congress cost Harmon some voters.

Possibly,

Granger need to boot him,he is also close to OL and sometimes take his advice.

Sexy Simona is Harmon's chief whip. Granger should boot her too. Who is OL? My noodles not sizzling this morning.

Bibi Haniffa posted:

Congrats to Volda.  Guyana needs a black woman President.

You forgot to add ....'of the PNC" !

Gilbakka posted:

Django posted:

Gilbakka posted:

Looks like the opportunistic Brian Tiwarie's presence at Congress cost Harmon some voters.

Possibly,

Granger need to boot him,he is also close to OL and sometimes take his advice.

Sexy Simona is Harmon's chief whip. Granger should boot her too. Who is OL? My noodles not sizzling this morning.

BRat

They look like a group of farm workers.

Billy Ram Balgobin posted:

They look like a group of farm workers.

Don't say that. Carib will tell you that these are hardworking people. He will ignore the drunk and sleeping freeloaders in parliament.

"Farm workers" is that wan coded term ?

VULGA DUMB AND INCOMPETENT!!!

Django posted:

"Farm workers" is that wan coded term ?

How about Farm Hands?

Nehru posted:

VULGA DUMB AND INCOMPETENT!!!

Is Vulga the same as Vulgar?

skeldon_man posted:

Django posted:

"Farm workers" is that wan coded term ?

How about Farm Hands?

Billy thinks he is a smart @ss.

Django posted:

skeldon_man posted:

Django posted:

"Farm workers" is that wan coded term ?

How about Farm Hands?

Billy thinks he is a smart @ss.

Don't take it so seriously when defending the members of the PNC, unless some of them in pics are your family members.

skeldon_man posted:

Nehru posted:

VULGA DUMB AND INCOMPETENT!!!

Is Vulga the same as Vulgar?

Take a guess Bhai

Ass Kissers and Batty washers of the PNC in full force One in particular is very fond and diligent in his role

Nehru posted:

VULGA DUMB AND INCOMPETENT!!!

Nehru on a roll and also on to something.

Django posted:

Updated: Volda Lawrence is PNCR’s Chairwoman; Granger hails “clean” internal elections, party unity

August 20 2018,  Source

Volda Lawrence clinched victory to become Chair of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), and at the end of the keenly contested race party leader David Granger assured that the elections were free and fair.

Perhaps, free and fair according to the PNCR's thinking.

skeldon_man posted:

Nehru posted:

VULGA DUMB AND INCOMPETENT!!!

Is Vulga the same as Vulgar?

Hilly writing is coded. He is an expert at masking his scorn for Afro Guyanese.

Django posted:

Gilbakka posted:

Django posted:

Gilbakka posted:

Looks like the opportunistic Brian Tiwarie's presence at Congress cost Harmon some voters.

Possibly,

Granger need to boot him,he is also close to OL and sometimes take his advice.

Sexy Simona is Harmon's chief whip. Granger should boot her too. Who is OL? My noodles not sizzling this morning.

BRat

Yuh slandering BJ bhai? How could he take advice from Harmon and not want advice from Ramson?

Volda is a good looking woman.

Prashad posted:

Volda is a good looking woman.

Do you wear dark glasses inside the house? Like we use to ask " like you choice  box bruk"?

To each his own 

According to Kaieteur News, Volda is the PNC's first woman chairperson. This is inaccurate. In 1961 Winifred Gaskin became the first female PNC Chairperson.

Gilbakka posted:

Django posted:

Gilbakka posted:

Django posted:

Gilbakka posted:

Looks like the opportunistic Brian Tiwarie's presence at Congress cost Harmon some voters.

Possibly,

Granger need to boot him,he is also close to OL and sometimes take his advice.

Sexy Simona is Harmon's chief whip. Granger should boot her too. Who is OL? My noodles not sizzling this morning.

BRat

Yuh slandering BJ bhai? How could he take advice from Harmon and not want advice from Ramson?

Whole thing mix up,it's the other way.

skeldon_man posted:

Django posted:

skeldon_man posted:

Django posted:

"Farm workers" is that wan coded term ?

How about Farm Hands?

Billy thinks he is a smart @ss.

Don't take it so seriously when defending the members of the PNC, unless some of them in pics are your family members.

You got a problem nah,proud East Indian whose family members are of all people.

Django posted:

Gilbakka posted:

Django posted:

Gilbakka posted:

Django posted:

Gilbakka posted:

Looks like the opportunistic Brian Tiwarie's presence at Congress cost Harmon some voters.

Possibly,

Granger need to boot him,he is also close to OL and sometimes take his advice.

Sexy Simona is Harmon's chief whip. Granger should boot her too. Who is OL? My noodles not sizzling this morning.

BRat

Yuh slandering BJ bhai? How could he take advice from Harmon and not want advice from Ramson?

Whole thing mix up,it's the other way.

OK. In that case Harmon should cross the floor and become the PPP's next prime ministerial candidate.

skeldon_man posted:

Django posted:

skeldon_man posted:

Django posted:

"Farm workers" is that wan coded term ?

How about Farm Hands?

Billy thinks he is a smart @ss.

Don't take it so seriously when defending the members of the PNC, unless some of them in pics are your family members.

You got to be careful how you say things about the PNC.  Django is their lawyer. The man might file a lawsuit for defamation of character

Billy Ram Balgobin posted:

skeldon_man posted:

Django posted:

skeldon_man posted:

Django posted:

"Farm workers" is that wan coded term ?

How about Farm Hands?

Billy thinks he is a smart @ss.

Don't take it so seriously when defending the members of the PNC, unless some of them in pics are your family members.

You got to be careful how you say things about the PNC.  Django is their lawyer. The man might file a lawsuit for defamation of character

Billy goat, I think you will make one of those "Farm Hands" a great pet.

Billy Ram Balgobin posted:

skeldon_man posted:

Django posted:

skeldon_man posted:

Django posted:

"Farm workers" is that wan coded term ?

How about Farm Hands?

Billy thinks he is a smart @ss.

Don't take it so seriously when defending the members of the PNC, unless some of them in pics are your family members.

You got to be careful how you say things about the PNC.  Django is their lawyer. The man might file a lawsuit for defamation of character

Naah not the sue type,just watching how you stitch in some words.

skeldon_man posted  He will ignore the drunk and sleeping freeloaders in parliament.

Why will I ignore the sight of drunk PPP freeloaders.  None of them do anything anyway aside from jump when Jagdeo orders them to.

caribny posted:

skeldon_man posted  He will ignore the drunk and sleeping freeloaders in parliament.

Why will I ignore the sight of drunk PPP freeloaders.  None of them do anything anyway aside from jump when Jagdeo orders them to.

That's because they are not capable of individual thinking; typical animal farm mentality.

Mitwah posted:

Bibi Haniffa posted:

Congrats to Volda.  Guyana needs a black woman President.

Why?

To put you in you place.