ON October 31, 1964, Secretary of State for the Colonies Duncan Sandys announced that British Guiana’s electoral system would be proportional representation (PR), which was the system supported by the opposition PNC. General elections were subsequently held in British Guiana on 7 December 1964. Parliamentary elections were held on December 7, 1964, and the PPP won 24 out of 53 seats in the House of Assembly. The PNC won 22 seats in the House of Assembly, and the United Force (UF) won seven seats in the House of Assembly.
This would be the last free elections held in what would eventually become Guyana until 1992.
Pictured is a vociferous Dr Cheddi Jagan, while his party was seated in the Opposition.
“THE CUP has been a faithful utensil, and so, too, has the PPP/C, standing by you at every important juncture of the history of our country.
“Therefore, I ask of you on May 11, seventeen days from now, to stand by me and let us deliver the biggest victory for the PPP/C! This is so necessary for the progress and development of this country to continue!â€
His Excellency President Donald Ramotar, as leader of the incumbent People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), made this stentorian appeal to thousands of attendees of a vibrant public meeting last Friday evening at Market Street, Industry, East Coast Demerara.
“Comrades of Industry,†he intoned, “we have 17 more days to go, as we are here tonight. Because, as you know, the Opposition in Parliament was doing everything to try and stop the development which was taking place in this country!â€
The Head of State went on to highlight that the opposition coalition, A Partnership For National Unity and the Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), are telling the Guyanese people that they have plans for development, but yet they disclosed that, if they win the upcoming May 11 elections, within the first 100 days of assuming office, they will make a plan.
This, he contended, proves the opposition’s inconsistency and shows their lack of seriousness, as they have absolutely no vision for the development of Guyana.