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A tough electoral contest

Feb 13, 2020 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

Barring fraud, which cannot be ruled out as per opinion of voters, this election is among the toughest of electoral contests in Guyana history; it is no walkover for any party and as such none should fool itself that it has a guaranteed victory. And it is also a do or die for the political leadership of both major parties. Both sides predict victory with large majorities that are not practical and that do not conform to findings of objective opinion surveys.
Even though both major parties claim they will win, as one expect each to say, there can only be one winner. A tie is not impossible with one or more minor parties making a play for a seat that could upset the plan of the major parties. Many voters, the business community and professionals, in particular, feel that such an outcome will be the best result of the country as it would force cooperation among the parties to do what is in the best interest of the country rather than what serves the self-interests of politicians.
The findings of objective, non-aligned, polling conducted by his writer show results defined along expected party lines. Both President Granger and his nemesis Irfaan Ali are doing well but only one will be President. They are handily defeating the candidates of the minor parties for the Presidency.
The findings of the poll give a window into the hold Granger has on coalition supporters and Irfaan’s hold on opposition supporters. The opposition is determined to unseat the incumbent who is equally determined to retain office.
By overwhelming numbers, government supporters give Granger a resounding vote of approval, enthused or satisfied with his personal performance in office (though the government is very unpopular). Granger is pulling some 93 percent approval from government supporters while his wife, Sandra, is pulling 94%. Emotion swung about as strongly in the other direction among opposition supporters with almost three quarters giving Granger a thumbs down while a majority favours the First Lady. Coalition supporters say they feel more allegiance to Granger rather than with Irfaan or Bharrat Jagdeo or Mark Phillips who are the main faces of the PPP. Government supporters have aligned their loyalties with Granger in much the same way that opposition supporters have aligned their loyalty with Jagdeo and Irfaan. Overall, more voters approve of Jagdeo’s performance. Opposition supporters, and even some who were on the sidelines, are backing Irfaan saying they prefer him rather than having to be governed by the coalition for five more years. Many say they are disappointed about coalition governance citing racial discrimination, corruption, crime, and job losses, among other reasons. But voters on both sides shower accolades on some government figures like Jaipaul Sharma, George Norton, Joe Harmon, Valerie Garrido Lowe, Amna Ally, Dawn Hastings, Karen Cummings, and Sydney Allicock, among others.
Supporters of both sides feel strong about their party’s chance of victory making for a tough electoral contest.

Yours truly,
Dr. Vishnu Bisram

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