The PPP/C made its final appeal for votes last evening, with leaders saying that it is the only party with a viable plan while warning against violence and any attempt to disrupt tomorrow’s polls.
Amidst revelry, dancing girls and performances by local and foreign artistes at the tarmac of the National Stadium, Providence, thousands of supporters were urged to turn out in their numbers to vote for the PPP/C to ensure continuity of the party’s policies. Emphasizing a theme of unity, leaders were confident of another victory in speeches that were, however, relatively low-key compared to previous rallies.
In what was highlighted as his final address as head-of-state on the PPP/C platform, outgoing President Bharrat Jagdeo urged the supporters at the final rally and concert before tomorrow’s polls to let the party founded by the late president Dr Cheddi Jagan “live”. He said that PPP/C leaders do not have to make the case to their supporters to vote for the party because they have been with them every step of the way.
“The only party that has a viable plan that will ensure every young person has a job and can be prosperous in this land is the PPP,” said Jagdeo amidst the cheering of the thousands gathered. “We’ve been tried, we’ve been tested,” he said. He dismissed the other parties, APNU and the AFC, saying that APNU’s presidential candidate David Granger is stuck in the past while the AFC’s candidate Khemraj Ramjattan is “bitter”.
Jagdeo also warned against violence. “There is no place for violence anymore in Guyana,” he said to loud cheers. “Gecom is ready; ready for a good poll on Monday and we have to be very vigilant that we safeguard this right, too. We have to keep our eyes sharp,” he added. “The security forces have been ready for a while now and they’re deployed and anyone who tries to disrupt these polls or harm people because of who they vote for will be dealt with the way they should be dealt with.”
Jagdeo highlighted the achievements of the PPP/C administration over the past 19 years and praised the party’s presidential candidate, Donald Ramotar, as the man to take the country forward.
Even as others referred to Jagdeo’s imminent departure from the presidency and thanked him for his services, including with a tribute of fireworks, Ramotar emphasized that Jagdeo will play a significant role in a new PPP/C administration. The outgoing president and his team worked tirelessly to bring the country to the stage that it is in today, Ramotar said. “Many people have been asking me… about what comrade Bharrat Jagdeo will do. And I want to assure you that he might be leaving the presidency, but I will tap into his talent because I think that he is a very important resource that we have in this country,” he added.
He declared that Jagdeo is “undoubtedly” the best economist in the country and the Caribbean. “He has assured me in several consultations that we have had that he will be ready to discharge any duty that I as president ask him, to help us out, to work with us to get things done,” Ramotar said, before adding that he will “bless” Jagdeo with one month off and then utilize his services for the development of Guyana.
Several speakers stressed that it is only the PPP/C that can unite and develop the country. “What we have achieved has been achieved because of unity,” said head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon. He said that the PPP is the only party that can ensure that the country remains united. He said that the era of Jagdeo will soon be over and it would be time to welcome the era of Ramotar.
“Only the PPP/C can build this country,” said Prime Minister Samuel Hinds. He recalled when he was asked to align with the PPP and said that he was thankful that he answered the call and “I have been truly rewarded.” He said he was happy to be the prime ministerial candidate and contribute. He urged supporters to today ensure that their names are on the voters’ list to avoid any confusion tomorrow.
Ramotar said that it is important for the PPP/C to be elected in a landslide and said that the party has always stood by the people and urged that they support the party when they vote tomorrow.
The event was broadcast live on national television and the several hours-long programme featured fireworks and a number of artistes, including a concert headlined by Trinidadian soca superstar Destra following the rally.
