AFC’s Khemraj Ramjattan came first; APNU’s David Granger followed and…..well the “forum” was ready to begin… with two empty seats at the head table.
No Donald Duck err Ramotar. No Peter Persaud…. but Merundoi’s Presidential Forum 2011 got underway at the Theatre Guild Playhouse. These elections “debates” are turning out to be kind of farcical, although this one wasn’t “all that bad”.
All the parties were invited and “all efforts were made” to have each represented but this did not work out, producer Margaret Lawrence said. She was grateful that Granger and Ramjattan viewed it as important enough to attend. She announced that the forum is going to be broadcast on national television. Just not on the state-owned National Communi-cations Network (NCN). Well, at least not yet. The station says it has no available time for a live or delayed broadcast of the forum. Fortunately the event was streamed live last evening and will be aired on the privately owned state media TV-G on Sunday at 9 pm.
After her presentation she quietly took her seat between the two candidates. Possibly in case they came to blows.
Then it was over to Communications specialist Abraham Poole, who was the moderator. Paulette Paul who moderated UG’s Presidential Candidate’s Discourse last week could learn a lesson or two from him. The format was simple. Each candidate would be given 10 minutes to make a presentation and afterwards they would field questions. Some that had been submitted before hand and others from the audience. Each candidate would be allowed to respond to the question within a given time frame. The rules were clear. There was to be no jeering. And applause was only allowed before and after the candidate’s would have concluded speaking. This definitely would have suited Ramotar considering the mixed reception he got last week at the UG presidential discourse and well Peter….
First up was Granger. Security is his baby. Education is another and he dealt with these topics at length. “We cannot have a nation of” Ignoramuses,” he said. “Guyana’s immune system has been damaged”, he said since “Guyana is now a criminal state”. Guyana under an APNU government would be able to once again be “a normal country”. “Yes! Yes! Yes!” sections of the crowd- especially those wearing the APNU T-shirts would have wanted to shout, but this was the place for “good” behaviour.
Granger said he is going to put all those who have been accused of wrong-doing in the PPP to face the courts and if they are found guilty of wrong- doing they will serve the time. He is prepared to work with the good ones—“if any” remain.
“Is weh Ramjattan geh dah pimp suit from?” one person remarked quietly as Ramjattan came to the podium. He was dressed for the occasion and seemed ready to pitch his cause. “Donald has ducked this debate”, Ramjattan charged….”not wanting to be examined” he continued. The crowd would have definitely “quacked” if it were allowed…
Peter had “ducked” too but with the exception of Margaret no one else seemed to care. This campaign has been unkind to Saint Peter. Or perhaps Saint Peter has been unkind to this campaign. But that’s another story to be dealt with at another “forum” or “discourse”.
Ramjattan spoke about “political and social transformation”. AFC will reform the constitution abolishing the executive presidency, the first past the post electoral system will go as well as the “Recall legislation. Local communities need to be freed “from the shackles” of Central Government and the Procurement Commission will be established. The government control of state media will cease to exist and an Independent Broadcast Authority implemented. And the Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Act will be repealed within the first weeks of an AFC government and some of the money used to service the social sector.
“Guyana’s descent is not only due to bad leadership, but “bad followship”. Vote on “reason not race” Ramjattan said. AFC has a young and compassionate leadership full of decency and integrity, he continued. The AFC is “bereft of baggage of the PPP and the PNC disguised as APNU”. Under the PNC half of Guyana was disenfranchised while under the PPP/C government half of Guyana has been marginalized.
The floor was opened to questions and there were several, including two from persons who were visually impaired. Yes, both candidates promised to look after the disabled and to look after the country’s senior citizens. They will be given concessions on medicine, transportation etc.
Who was more qualified to be president based on academia and social service. “My professional qualifications are incomparable,” Granger said after rattling off some of his professional and academic achievements. Granger generally had a mouthful to say in answering most of the questions, as he constantly went over his time.
Ramjattan said that he has been a politician for over 20 years and has “been a fairly good lawyer” representing the rights of many persons even pro bono. He has not behaved like “a moron” and followed blindly the instruction of his leaders. Yes! Morons should not vie for the presidency.
An APNU supporter asked Ramjattan whether he was fair in saying that APNU was the PNC disguised. Ramjattan maintained his position. Granger remarked that he had heard Ramotar voice that same opinion and quipped: “Mr. Ramjattan has not forgotten his old political roots”. APNU is about “consensus”….they don’t “go into a room and select their presidential candidate by the showing of hands.
After a series of questions and a little confusion over the close off time, the candidates were called for closing remarks.
Granger’s message was simple: APNU will end winner take all politics and that is what Guyana needs. He spoke of a “new dawn” and for the need to put away “the troubles that occurred during the reign of President Jagdeo”.
Ramjattan appealed for the AFC to be given an opportunity just like the one afforded to Guyanese leg spinner Devendra Bishoo on the West Indies Cricket Team. “We would not have known what a good bowler Bishoo was unless he was given an opportunity,” he contended. His analogy might have been better if it had come a few months earlier. At this time, it is certainly not the best example.
The ICC cricketer of the year has been having a tough time of late. In the current test match being played in India he recently recorded figures of 45- 2-154-1. And the West Indies continue to lose despite his presence on the team.
The forum ended. Many were impressed but Donald was absent. And that spoke volumes.
