The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) says that all the necessary preparations are on stream for its Special Delegates Congress today to elect its presidential candidate for this year’s elections.
Approximately 827 delegates and almost 200 observers from the 10 regions of Guyana and from the party’s North American and United Kingdom regions will be in attendance at Congress Place, General Secretary Oscar Clarke said at the PNCR’s weekly media briefing yesterday.
Reading from a prepared statement, Clarke said that registration begins at 7 am and ends at 9:30 am, with the formal opening session to commence at 10 am. Among those scheduled to speak are party Chairman Bishwaishwar ‘Cammie’ Ramsaroop and party Leader Robert Corbin. Thereafter, each of the nominees in turn will address the Congress for ten minutes prior to the proceedings being handed over to the Returning Officer and a team from Sandra V. Jones and Associates, Clarke said.
Clarke stressed that delegation leaders should note that no vehicle would be allowed to enter the compound and all occupants must disembark and walk through the gate.
He said on entering the compound, each person will identify him/herself to the scrutineers at that point by name, region and group, which must be found on the list provided. “Marshals, who would be clearly identified, would direct persons to their registration centres, which will be clearly marked,” he said.
Attendees will have to present photo identification when registering. Clarke said he was happy they were going to use this system and if all goes well, the same could be factored into other Congress-es. Everything seems to be on track for the Congress to go off without a wobble, Clark observed. He said that as soon as there is something to say, a communiqué will be issued to the press.
The five nominees vying to be the PNCR’s presidential candidate for this year’s constitutionally due elections are former army chief retired Brigadier David Granger, attorney and party Vice-Chairman Basil Williams, former minister Dr Faith Harding, attorney James Bond and economist Carl Greenidge.
While no clear frontrunner has emerged from the process, which included 18 town-hall style meetings across the country, political observers believe that Granger is the man to beat with the primary plank in his platform being the restoration of public security. The veteran soldier and historian even launched a book on the subject on Thursday and he has been issuing a monthly newsletter on his programmes and activities.
Clarke said there will be an after Congress get-together and all members, supporters and friends of the party are welcome to attend. This begins at 3:30 pm with a cultural presentation and will provide an opportunity for attendees to meet and greet the party’s candidate.
