The ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has said its presidential candidate for the next general elections would be selected according to the procedure it has always used—a decision that closes the door on the push by MP Moses Nagamootoo for a broader approach.
“The document, which was recently ratified, reinforces the party’s long-standing and tested procedure on the selection of a presidential candidate,” the party said in a statement on Wednesday.
The PPP explained that the procedure allows for the nomination/expression of interest by interested individuals, deliberations at the level of the Executive Committee, and subsequent approval by the Central Committee. “The approved candidate will then be announced to the membership through regional conferences,” the party added, while pointing out that the process was used in the selection of the late Dr Cheddi Jagan and Mrs Janet Jagan as well as current President Bharrat Jagdeo to contest the general elections.
Further, the PPP noted that the selection document outlines a code of conduct which potential presidential candidates and their supporters must adhere to before and after the selection of the agreed presidential candidate.
Unlike the last two general elections, there is no automatic presidential candidate for the PPP, owing to the ineligibility of President Jagdeo to seek re-election because of a constitutional term-limit. Party General Secretary Donald Ramotar and Speaker of the House Ralph Ramkarran are the front-runners for the presidential candidacy, while Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee and Nagamootoo have also indicated their interest in serving as the candidate. Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud has also been mentioned as a possible choice.
However, Nagamootoo is on record as saying that the selection of the candidate should involve all the party’s membership, noting that the current procedure is outdated. He had been advocating for a system to be put in place where potential candidates could declare their interest and their availability and submit data that could be circulated to the party members. He also said that if he did not receive the party’s nod he would support another candidate, once the selection was done in an open and democratic manner.
Earlier this month, Nagamootoo questioned what he called the “state sponsorship” of Ramotar for the party’s presidential nomination, owing to his inclusion on cabinet outreaches and on overseas visits by President Jagdeo. Nagamootoo said he was opposed to a single candidate being recommended by the party leadership and he contended that Ramotar’s inclusion was disadvantageous to other candidates. “This is deliberately selective and unfair” and could derail the selection process, he stated while adding that “if this continues, I will withdraw from the process.”