Granger-led coalition “likely” to win next “close” election -US Congress report

DEAR EDITOR,

Conversations with leaders and/or representatives of the newer small parties reveal that they are struggling with funding and meeting the requirements to appear on the ballot for the March 2 elections. Everything seems to be going against the minor parties.
The deadline to file nominations, as announced by Gecom, is January 10, some 40 days before the actual voting on March 2. This is the longest period ever allowed before nominating and voting day. The general trend was about 32 days in all previous elections. The smaller parties can do with the extra week to make the ballot, especially given the fact that the country is coming out of the holiday period when the public is not taking on politicians. No plausible reason has been offered by Gecom why it needs 40 days to prepare a ballot.
It is a heavy burden on small parties to qualify for the ballot, especially that they don’t have much funds to travel around to get signatures to support their list and candidates. People are fearful to sign nominations; worried they will be victimized. The leadership of some minor parties I interacted with said people have told them that they will vote for them and even give them donations off the record, but they don’t want to be identified with the minor parties or sign their nominations for fear of losing their jobs or perks or contracts.
Yours truly,
Dr. Vishnu Bisram

Leslie Ramsammy
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There is something ominous emerging - an effort to stymie religious diversity in Guyana. There is a sort of declaration circulating, supposedly from the Ministry of Public Health. It insists it is making a declaration on the basis of the word of God. The first article of the declaration is as follows: "We declare the Lordship of Jesus Christ over the health sector, and that the year 2020, we will fear God and obey his commandments". If this is an official document of the Ministry, it is another example of the total abrogation of the constitution. It is also racist. Is the Ministry of Public Health under the David Granger-led APNU+AFC disavowing the legitimacy of the Islamic, Hindu, Bahai, Rastarafian and other religious groups in Guyana? Will people who are not Christians not be the responsibility of the Ministry of Public Health anymore? As I write this a young pregnant lady whose "water bag" already broke was just sent away from Diamond Hospital and told to come back. She is presently sitting in a nearby business waiting to go back into the hospital. Has she been abandoned?

Granger grabbing everything

Edgehill pulled out off ppp pm position

Expressing optimism of victory at the upcoming elections, the opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) yesterday launched their campaign to regain office, with General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo launching blistering attacks on the government for their failings and presidential candidate Irfaan Ali saying that under his leadership, the country will be transformed.

To thousands of red-clad supporters at one of the party’s historical urban strongholds, Kitty, party leaders made their case as to why they should be elected to office on March 2nd. As speaker after speaker rose, they each expressed optimism of victory at the elections, with Ali even addressing the rally “as your next president.” The party’s prime ministerial candidate, Brigadier (rtd) Mark Phillips was also formally introduced to supporters since being selected on Friday.

The upcoming election comes at a critical time in Guyana’s history as the country becomes an oil producer. The next government will manage unprecedented revenues, with the growth of Guyana’s economy set to skyrocket and the winner of the elections will likely set the direction of development for the country for years to come.

Recently formed political party, Change Guyana’s Presidential Candidate, Robert Badal, is of the view that every Guyanese citizen should be assigned shares in a state-owned National Oil Company (NOC).

Change Guyana’s Presidential Candidate, Robert Badal

During a press conference yesterday, Badal in outlining his plans for Guyana’s oil sector, extensively criticized the APNU/AFC government’s management of the oil and gas industry, particularly commenting on the “lopsided contract negotiations.”
Badal pointed out that the party intends to manage the oil sector well if it is elected to Government on March 2, 2020. In his plans, he highlighted that all unassigned oil blocks would be under the authority of a National Oil Company. Further, the said blocks would be auctioned to the highest bidder, garnering attractive signing bonuses.
According to Badal, the process of assigning shares will ensure that revenue emanating from the oil and gas sector benefits all Guyanese. He highlighted that the said shares will then appreciate in value due to the auctioning of state-owned oil blocks and the signing of any subsequent agreements.

AFC says Ramjattan is PM candidate based on `fundamental agreement’


In the aftermath of comments attributed today to President David Granger, the Alliance For Change today said that there is a fundamental agreement with APNU that the AFC names the Prime Ministerial candidate and it has named its Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan as the candidate.

A statement by AFC General Secretary David Patterson follows:

AFC reiterates its position on APNU+AFC 2020 Prime Ministerial Candidate

Reports in the media of statements attributed to the President of Guyana and head of the APNU+AFC coalition regarding the naming of a Prime Ministerial Candidate are in direct contradiction with provisions of the recently signed Revised Cummingsburg Accord which embodies the agreements between the two political organisations.

“The assertion that he will choose and nominate the Prime Minister after the election is gratuitous and confusing to our supporters and the wider electorate,” said the General Secretary of the AFC David Patterson.

In responding to comments attributed to the President, published by the Guyana Newsroom this morning, the AFC said it is well aware of the constitutional steps regarding appointments once the election results are known. However, the party said the process did not change the fundamental agreement that the AFC names the Prime Ministerial candidate and have named its Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan.

Consequently, the AFC is not confused by the comments, which we notice has subsequently been clarified by the General Secretary of APNU.

The AFC said it hoped clarity has been brought to the issue, which was carefully considered and agreed during the Cummingsburg Accord discussions.

The General Secretary said the AFC remains fully committed to the APNU+AFC coalition agreement and does and is not expecting any further confusion for the remainder of the campaign. The AFC continues to do all in its power to work towards electoral victory, as the APNU+AFC remains the best choice for the Guyanese people.

Haa ramjattan will get shafted