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Ramotar not enthusiastic about Christmas time elections
-does not rule out debating other Presidential Candidates
The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) says that it has been vindicated in its call for the opening up of another
PPP/C Presidential Candidate, Donald Ramotar
Claims and Objections period which saw more than 6,800 persons registering.
At the end of the verification period, it is expected that more than 7,000 persons will be registered…citizens who would have been disenfranchised during the upcoming General Elections.
Speaking to media operators during a press conference yesterday, Ramotar, the PPP/C’s General Secretary and Presidential Candidate, also was not too enthusiastic about elections in December and does not rule out a debate among the announced Presidential Candidates.
“If (December elections) is unavoidable because of the nature of the situation and the time of the situation then we have to have it. I don’t think it is desirable and I myself do not like it…”
Earlier, the Soviet-trained economist speaking from Freedom House, the party’s headquarters on Robb Street, explained that from information the unregistered persons were from every region, even from areas traditionally known for supporting the opposition parties.
Making a case for his party’s preparation for elections day, Ramotar said that his party “is the only party with its foot firmly on the ground.”
He criticized the Alliance For Change which voted against the move for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to re-open the Claims and Objection period.
On the other hand, while the main opposition, the People’s National Congress/Reform (PNCR) had been “vociferous”, it “cleverly took the position” and supported the move to open up the Claims and Objection period.
While the 10-day Claims period ended Wednesday, the Objections are to end today.
“Our position was right…,” Ramotar insisted.
There have been accusations that the failure by citizens to register to vote had to do mainly with the fact that many of them did not have birth certificates, one of the documents used to conduct the registration.
GECOM had announced readiness for a mid-October elections. That was before the extended Claims and Objections period.
Ramotar was unable to say how many persons actually applied for birth certificates during the Claims and Objections period and use them to register.
Questioned about whether he is willing to participate in a debate with Khemraj Ramjattan and Brigadier (rtd) David Granger, Presidential Candidates of the AFC and PNCR respectively, the General Secretary said that he has received nothing official but would “see what would happen” at the time.
Meanwhile, the PPP/C official noted that his party has been recording more cross-over votes over past elections, making significant inroads in areas traditionally considered PNCR stronghold.
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