Allegations of unfair tactics surface in PNCR leadership contest

May 17, 2009 News

By Dale Andrews

With the People’s National Congress Reform’s Annual Biennial Congress drawing near, some party members say that there already appears to be attempts to manipulate the process of electing the party leader.

Election of the party leader will be the high point of the congress scheduled for August, and while many are expecting an adherence to the democratic process, some members seen to be supporting candidates who are challenging the incumbent leader Robert Corbin are leveling allegations of unfair tactics.

The members are claiming that already there is unfair distribution of membership forms; a situation they said could disadvantage some of the candidates.

They are fearful that this year’s party congress could see a repeat of the fiasco that obtained at the last party congress when the membership soared from 5,000 to unprecedented 23,000-registered members.

On that occasion it was charged by members of a group headed by Vincent Alexander, who had challenged for the party leadership, that there was a manipulation of the process.

But a senior party official dismissed the allegations, explaining that the system set up to deal with the matter is what is being enforced.

According to a party member from Region Number Four, previously the distribution of membership forms was done at the party headquarters, Congress Place, Sophia.

However, party coordinators were informed that the forms will now be distributed in the various regions and in the case of Region Four, by the Regional Chairman, at the Regional Democratic Office.

One PNCR member told this newspaper that upon approaching the PNCR regional officials in Region Four, they are questioned about whom they are supporting before they are given the forms.

“Previously they use to come and rap on your doors just to get you to sign up the forms, now you have to beg them. We have over 500 members but they are not giving you enough forms because they believe that you are supporting a particular candidate,” one PNCR, Region Four member told this newspaper yesterday. Renewal of party membership concludes on May 31 this year.

But according to a PNCR Member of Parliament, party headquarters is coordinating the distribution of membership forms.

The forms are being distributed in bulk to the party’s regional representatives to be disbursed to the district committees and then to the various groups based on requisition.

However, the MP pointed out that since last year, forms were distributed of which only a quarter has been completed and returned.

“For example, 500-odd forms were sent to the East Bank and only about 300 have been completed and returned,” the Member of Parliament disclosed. He said that it is for this reason that the current distribution system has been put in place.

In addition he assured that checks are being made to ensure that those who complete and return the forms are genuine members of the party.

“This party is not Corbin party; it is the people’s party, one member stated.

It is not to clear if party leader Robert Corbin who is presently recovering from a brief illness will be seeking re-election.

Long time party member and former Minister of Health, Dr. Richard Van West Charles, has already announced that he will be seeking the party’s mandate to become leader.

There is also talk that Aubrey Armstrong will also be throwing his hat in the ring.