The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) yesterday condemned Monday’s attack on Iqbal Rahim, a volunteer working with the Benschop for Mayor campaign in upcoming local government elections.
A candidate in the elections, Albert Cromwell has since been charged in the matter. (See other story on page 2.)
“No one, not in these modern times, should be subjected to the cruelty of physical violence, acts of intimidation, and or abuse for their association with any group, political party or individual”, the PPP which has 32 seats in parliament, said in a statement.
The PPP called on the Guyana Police Force to protect all political
candidates and their supporters.
“The Government of Guyana must also ensure that the campaign for Local Government Elections is conducted in an environment free from fear, violence and intimidation to encourage full grassroots participation by the people of Guyana”, the PPP added.
The AFC, a key partner in the ruling coalition said that it “unreservedly condemns this brutal and barbaric attack in the midst of the campaign for local government elections.
“All candidates for local Government elections should be permitted to campaign unhindered, free from fear and intimidation in every square inch of Guyana…
“We have come too far as a country to even flirt with the return to the dark days of election violence”.
The attack on Rahim was also condemned by the Healing the Nation Theocracy party which is also contesting the elections.
