Dear Editor,

According to the findings of NACTA’s opinion conducted in July, National Assembly Speaker Ralph Ramkarran and Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud lead other potential contenders to succeed President Bharrat Jagdeo, who because of constitutional term limits cannot seek another term in office.  None of the prospective candidates garners overwhelming support.  The PPP is projected to win the next general elections, but voters don’t feel the party will get a majority of votes unless its presidential candidate is Ramkarran or Persaud, or if President Jagdeo gets another term.

NACTA is a New York-based group with no political affiliation and has been conducting opinion surveys regularly over the last 20 years in Guyana and the Caribbean on social and political issues. The latest poll interviewed 980 individuals (45% Indians, 30% Africans, 15% Mixed, 9% Amerindians, and 1% from other ethnic categories) representing the demographic diversity of the population.  The survey was co-ordinated by Vishnu Bisram, a political scientist, pollster, educator and newspaper columnist in New York.

Asked who they would prefer as the PPP presidential candidate, Ramkarran polls 24%, closely followed by Minister Persaud with 22%, PPP General Secretary Donald Ramotar with 13%, former Information and Local Government Minister Moses Nagamootoo with 10%, and others trailing way behind.

Ramkarran is liked by the intellectual and business elite who view him as the best candidate to continue the development projects of outgoing President Jagdeo, and he has support among non-Indians who describe him as the perfect successor to Jagdeo. Persaud is well liked by farmers and the youth and is viewed as a hard-working and performance oriented Minister whose work ethic is considered as ideal for the presidency. Ramotar is well liked among party cadres but he has weak support among the business and educated classes. Nagamootoo has strong appeal among the grass roots and is respected for his integrity. The business community say they are more comfortable with Persaud and Ramkarran than the other prospective candidates.

Regardless of whom the PPP puts as its presidential candidate, the party will emerge victorious as none of the other parties is viewed as an option for the majority of the population.  Most voters say how they cast ballots will depend on a party’s presidential and prime ministerial candidates.

Who would you prefer as the PPP’s presidential candidate?

Potential Candidate             %

Ralph Ramkarran                24

Robert Persaud                    22

Donald Ramotar                  13

Moses Nagamootoo           10

Frank Anthony                      4

Clement Rohee                      2
Others                                      10

Not Sure/No Ans                15

Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram