The Guyana Elections Commission (Gecom) has said that it can be ready to hold elections by November 14 and the Alliance for Change (AFC) as well as the APNU (A Partnership for National Unity) grouping have unveiled candidates and begun campaigning. PPP General Secretary, Donald Ramotar will lead the party into the elections after he was selected as its Presidential Candidate.
PPP campaign spokesman, Robert Persaud told Stabroek News yesterday that the Albion rally will be the first of eight major rallies to be held across the country. These eight rallies will be complemented by 400 public and community meetings that will be held at the same time, he said.
Persaud was tightlipped about the prime ministerial candidate for the party saying only that “intense” discussions are continuing. He also said that he was not being considered for the position and no one has been shortlisted but a number of names are being considered. “Whoever will be chosen will certainly be the best person…” he said.
Persaud recommitted to a code of conduct of conduct for campaigning that the party will sign with Gecom. “We want a campaign that is civil, free from mudslinging…” he said. Rallies are scheduled for Linden, Lethem, Bartica, Mabaruma, Georgetown, the West, East Coast and Bank of Demerara, Essequibo and Berbice. Persaud said that the upcoming period will be “intense” as the party rolls out it plans. He called on all the relevant observers and others to ensure that the different campaigns are of a certain standard. He said that the PPP’s rallies will “take a very constructive and cultural flavour” as well. The rallies are not only about soliciting votes, he said.
The PPP’s manifesto is just about to be finalized and will revealed at a separate function after the Albion rally, Persaud said. He could not say whether the prime ministerial candidate will be revealed before or at the Albion rally. Asked why the rally is being held there, Persaud said that the party has always started campaigns in the east. He referred to the Bible and said that “wisdom and knowledge always come from the east.”
Meantime, the PPP said in a statement that it yesterday, hosted yet another successful fund-raising event in Toronto, Canada at the Peter and Paul Banquet Hall.
Over 700 persons turned out for the occasion and the opportunity to interact with President Bharrat Jagdeo and Ramotar, the statement said.
“More importantly they were keen to learn about the vision of the country’s next Head of State and his plans to continue and further accelerate Guyana’s significant growth rate. Following his address the large turnout were vociferous in their calls to – Let Progress Continue in Guyana,” the statement said.
