Former leader of the PNCR’s youth arm, Christopher Jones has defended the electoral systems and processes to be used for the upcoming leadership election saying that while there may be criticisms, it is one of the most transparent systems seen.
“Contrary to some beliefs; where you have persons saying that PNC Congress is rigged and there is fraud and those things, our process is so transparent. So literally transparent to the point that ballot boxes are transparent. Every voter, after they would have cast their vote, would put that vote in the box and that box is never removed from in front of the more than 1000 persons that sit in the auditorium,” he said.
Further, he added, “The box is then opened in front of all those people and you have the scrutineers, for all the candidates who are there, scrutinizing the process. Our elections have always been above board and I don’t see this election being any different.”
On debates among candidates vying for the post of leader, he holds firm that at the party level it has to be internal. But for selecting a person who will be the party’s candidate at a general election, he said the process can be different since while members will be voting, the person will have to represent all people. “It is an internal elections; a party election and unlike the Presidential candidate run. If for the presidential run, then, yes; but not for party leader”, he told Stabroek News.
On January 12, 2011, the PNCR had announced a series of meetings to introduce to the public the five persons vying to be its presidential candidate that year.
What had been billed as town hall-styled meetings provided the candidates with an opportunity to present their policy positions and vision to the public and for the reaction to them to be gauged before the congress finally picked the candidate.
This procedure for picking the PNCR candidate had been hailed in political circles as progressive and allowing party members and others from across the country to assess the nominees. David Granger was eventually elected leader. That process doesn’t seem to be on the cards this year.
Candidates announcing their willingness to run in the upcoming leadership contest at the PNCR Biennial Delegates Congress next month have meanwhile expressed confidence in the party’s elections process and said that while there should be public campaigning, debates should be held internally.
Deciding on and planning debates among candidates is a decision for the General Secretary, Chairman or Leader, party executives have said.
“This is a membership matter and for the party leadership. While I think we can put out positions that are general, positions which the nation can understand, I believe that debates must be in the groups, communities and in the regions with our delegates and members,” Opposition Leader and candidate for PNCR Leader, Joseph Harmon told Stabroek News yesterday.
Eyeball to eyeball
“We must go eyeball to eyeball with our delegates; with our members, and convince them about what we are saying. At this time I do not believe a public debate will serve that purpose,” he added.
The Opposition Leader, who was at the time at an outreach meeting with residents in Region 3, promised that he will answer all questions this week on the reasons for him contesting for the PNCR leader position.
Similar views were shared by campaigning candidates Aubrey Norton and Dr. Richard Van West-Charles on debating and they also voiced confidence in the party’s electoral process.
“Campaigning in the regions has always been part of the process and there is no reason it should be changed. I have no problem with a debate…,” Dr. Van West-Charles said, while pointing out that debating, however, should be done for the party’s support base.
Himself a doctor of medicine, he was quick to point out to Stabroek News that campaigning at this time must be done in keeping with COVID-19 guidelines.
On the election process, he added, “The process is defined. And to my mind, yes! There will be a free and fair election.”
Former party General Secretary, Aubrey Norton said he will not back down from an internal debate and said that he also has confidence in the elections process and said that the person who will be appointed as the Returning Officer of the election process will also have his support. “There is a person appointed and responsible for the election and I think that person will do the work to ensure it is fair,” he said.
Onus
Candidates, according to him, have the onus to “monitor” the elections they are in. “I am prepared to debate…” he added while pointing out that he will back up his positions by showing the members, among a number of other reasons , that “I am in a good position to take on the PPP/C and take on the challenges they bring, without them having any sword of Damocles over my head,” .
Roysdale Forde, the only candidate who has thus far expressed willingness to contest for Chairperson of the party, was also in support of a members-only debate .“I think that the campaign is essentially for members of the party. In this social media age, however, communication is not restricted to party members. The issue of public debates may well extend the confines of the campaign and internal party process impermissibly,” he opined.
And to free and fair elections, he expressed, “As a candidate, I have every expectation that the party will implement the required and appropriate measures to ensure that there be a free and fair electoral process.”
Party veteran and former PNCR Leader Robert Corbin shares the view that in politics party matters should be dealt with internally.
“My position, since I was acting and had been leader of the PNC, is that party business must be discussed within the party,” Corbin told this newspaper yesterday.
As a veteran politician and PNCR stalwart, Corbin said that he will give advice to those who ask and says he has always been inclined to share his knowledge with members, for the development of the party that he loves.
Former Chairman of the PNCR Basil Williams has said that he would not be endorsing any candidate as he felt that the party has to choose its leaders on merit and the leaders must go out into the communities to galvanize support.
Science
Williams told this newspaper that he supports candidates debating each other, also internally, as compared to the public boasting about their works. Asked if he will accept a nomination, he repeatedly said “the members of the PNCR choose their leaders and this time will be no different.”
He stressed that members are “no fools” and “know who was with them in the middle of the night and through the struggles”. He said that persons know who they can call on and rely for help when in the time of need.
He stressed that whenever the process is over, the party must have sound leadership if it is to thrive. “I warned in 2018 against it; that we don’t take the leadership position for granted. Politics is a science. You don’t teach old dog new tricks.”
He supports debates internally and publicly for the presidential candidacy, as he said it gives persons a preview into the intentions of nominees.
“We must have debates. We can’t have reporters calling all the time and asking. We can’t be operating in a silo or vacuum. They must show how they will roll back the PPP. The candidates have to let the people and members know what their intentions are,” Williams said.
Former President and current party leader, Granger is on leave from the PNCR and nothing has been heard from him about his intentions. It also appears that another strong contender for the post of leader, the current chairman, Volda Lawrence will also not be contesting.
