The APNU+AFC coalition yesterday met Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud to discuss security concerns in the run up to the much anticipated general and regional elections to be held on May 11.
At the end of the meeting, which appeared to have been successful the two sides pledged cooperation and the police assured that they were prepared for “any eventualities”.
In a statement issued yesterday, the coalition said the meeting was with Persaud and top police commanders representing the Guyana Police Force (GPF) executive management team.
The meeting, the release said, was requested by APNU+AFC to communicate with the Commissioner of Police and his team, the coalition’s concerns, security considerations and the current security situation in the lead-up to the May 11 general and regional elections.
“The APNU+AFC team made it clear that the security situation in the country required the provision of strong security by the GPF for the coalition’s presidential and prime ministerial candidates,” the release said adding that among the topics of discussion were the security of campaign offices, major rallies and party elections officials.
It was stated that the commissioner and his team briefed the coalition team on the force’s pre and post elections security arrangements.
“The commissioner gave the APNU+AFC team the assurance that the GPF was well prepared for any eventualities,” the release said adding that the police executive management team said that they were prepared to cooperate fully with campaign personnel nation-wide and made available to the APNU+AFC team the contact information of all divisional commanders.
The policy regarding the holding of public meetings, according to the release was also discussed and assurances were given to the coalition that once applications were received in a timely manner, the GPF would embrace the principle of granting permission.
The APNU+AFC team was headed by Campaign Co-Chairs, Joe Harmon and Raphael Trotman and included Winston Felix, David Patterson and Paul Slowe.
