The opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) yesterday claimed that it secured over 60% of the votes that were cast in the 70 local authority areas in which it contested at Friday’s local government elections.
While reporting impressive victories at the local government polls, which had been delayed for almost two decades under successive PPP/C administrations, the opposition once again accused the governing APNU+AFC of abusing state resources and said it would move to the National Assembly to call for a full investigation.
In a statement, the PPP/C said it won the majority of votes in some Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) where it never won in the past. At the same time, it accused the government of using intimidation towards residents at Bartica and abusing state resources. In particular, it charged that the Ministry of Social Cohesion was engaged in buying votes via “handouts” at Bartica, Mabaruma and Lethem.
While in office, the PPP/C had been accused of similar practices during the run up to general elections but PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee recently denied that this was the case.
The PPP/C said it would move to the National Assembly for an investigation of the alleged abuse of state resources, while it also called on the international community to take note of “this troublesome development.” The U.S. Embassy, the British High Commission and the Canadian High Commission all declared the polls free, fair and credible yesterday.
Meanwhile, in a separate statement, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo said the results of the elections vindicated the PPP/C’s position that it was never afraid of local government elections.
He added that now that the polls are over, the PPP/C will ensure that the communities in which it was victorious are served in a manner that is responsive to their concerns and professional, without distinction for their race, political affiliation or religion.
“Moving forward, we will resume the task of preparing for the national elections, whenever they are held, by strengthening the party, consolidating and broadening our support base, and continuing our work to include more young people and women in our efforts to move Guyana forward,” he added.
