The two parliamentary opposition parties today said they are prepared for early general and regional elections, amid concerns in some quarters that government is becoming increasingly frustrated at APNU and AFC’s exercising control in the National Assembly.
The opposition has cut more than $2 billion from the National Budget, much to the consternation of the government. Among the entities affected by the opposition’s “scissors” are the National Communications Network (NCN), the Guyana Power and Light Company, the Government Information Agency (GINA) and the Guyana Elections Commission (Gecom).
Sections of the state media have been reporting that the budget cuts could lead to fresh elections, less than one year after last November’s polls. However, by voting against two allocations totalling $527 million for Gecom yesterday, observers say the opposition may have impeded Gecom’s ability to run off snap elections were one to be called by the government. The funding was intended for preparations for overdue local government polls, but the opposition opted to withhold it until agreed legislative reforms are in place.
However APNU’s Lance Carberry said at a press conference today that before any election is held, there must be a situation where the list of electors is prepared and ready. Said Carberry, “It is not possible for you to simply wake up one morning and hold elections. Gecom has to be in a state of readiness to undertake such an election. There is a process involved… It is not possible for a government to wake up this morning and tomorrow announces an election. APNU is and will always be ready to deal with any electoral call.”
Meanwhile, when questioned on their readiness, AFC’s Chairman, Khemraj Ramjattan admitted that while returning to the electorate could cost at least $100 million, he was optimistic that his party would find the money and that it could win even more seats in that elections. “The financial arrangement for an election is very big money… $100 million minimum. The Alliance For Change is not with that kind of resources, just coming off an election where we spent in that vicinity. But… if they call it I am absolutely certain that… we are going to find it and find it very quickly to compete with them and win lots more seats,” he said.
