People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Clement Rohee on Monday announced the opposition party’s interest in contesting the local government elections, but only if certain conditions are met, including the demarcation of boundaries for each constituency.
Rohee announced the party’s position at a press conference at Freedom House where he said the opposition was “deeply concerned over the state of uncertainty” surrounding the holding of the long overdue polls.
Although due to be held every three years, the polls were last held in 1994. Rohee said the PPP was prepared to participate in the elections once the conditions are conducive for its participation.
In addition, Rohee said the PPP will also be pressing for a new voters’ list, implementation of an electronic-voting system, enhanced Biometrics and ethnic balance in staff hired by the Guyana Elections Commission (Gecom).
The conditions he listed include ensuring the placement of each elector in exactly the specific constituency and/or Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) where they are residing and that he or she is on the appropriate list of electors specific to that constituency and/or NDC.
He said the PPP wants boundaries for each NDC and constituency to be settled to its complete satisfaction, with the names and addresses of each elector situated within the relevant boundary where the elector is a resident.
He added that there should be public re-advertisement for officials who are desirous of filling specific positions and responsibilities on election’s day on behalf of Gecom.
The party also wants an aggressive and user-friendly public relations campaign to be mounted to target specific issues of concern to the electors and the proportional representation and constituency electoral process as well as a public relations campaign to encourage electors to take advantage of transfers to allow them to vote at the elections.
There should be public vetting of polling day staff already in the pool, he said.
Although the PPP has been calling for the removal of Dr. Steve Surujbally as Chairman of Gecom, this was not among the conditions announced on Monday. Rohee said that the party’s call for Surujbally to go does not contradict PPP contesting the elections.
