Andre Haynes

-truth commission, end to executive presidency among priorities The Joint Opposition Political Parties (JOPP), comprising the PNCR, Guyana Action Party (GAP), the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) and the National Front Alliance (NFA), has started consultations with interest groups to formalise a broad alliance to contest next year’s general elections.

With the announcement of an independent bid for the presidency, businessman Peter Ramsaroop is banking on the support of young voters, saying that they are an untapped constituency that could shift the balance of power at next year’s election.

Amid concerns about moves on its independent functioning, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has taken the decision to write the Office of the President (OP) to determine whether a recent directive on advertising will affect the civic and voter education plans for next year’s general election.

The Office of the President (OP) has directed the Guyana Elections Commis-sion (GECOM) to submit its advertisements and notices for publication through the new government procurement website.

Sixteen wholesale buyers of flour have reported the National Milling Company (NAMILCO) to the Competition Commission for allegedly giving preferential prices to some clients, which they say is in contravention of the Competition and Fair Trading Act.

-open to power sharing ‘I don’t feel the PNC, at present, needs to apologise for anything.

Guyana Action Party (GAP) MP Everall Franklin has proposed constitutional changes to reduce the powers of the president to form the basis of an electoral alliance, which he says offers “a small window of opportunity”  to get the country back on the right path.

Speaker of the National Assembly Ralph Ramkarran says he supports the presidential term limit, explaining that it is an important factor in democratic systems.

Convinced that he is fully qualified to be the PPP’s presidential candidate at next year’s general elections, Speaker of the House Ralph Ramkarran says eliminating extreme poverty would top his agenda if he were eventually elected into office.

Barbadian political strategist Hartley Henry earlier this week met with representatives of several political parties and other groups here, as part of an AFC-led initiative to explore alliances ahead of next year’s general elections.

-says donors must do more for transparency PNCR-1G MP Winston Murray is advocating a code to guide the conduct of ministers, as part of a concerted approach to rein in what he described as rampant corruption within government.

-but scepticism abounds PNCR leader Robert Corbin’s decision against running as its presidential candidate at next year’s general elections is being seen as an opportunity to reverse the fortunes of the main opposition, and a possible opening for an alliance to challenge the ruling PPP/C.

Utah Congressman Jason Chaffetz is living proof that social networking can level the playing field during election campaigns.

‘What are you doing?’ With the ubiquity of social media networks like Facebook and Twitter, that question has been an invitation for observations that range from the innocuous (‘Writing a story’) to those that until recently only existed within the realm of speculation (‘Girl shot in Tehran’).

AFC leader Raphael Trotman yesterday accused the ruling PPP and the main opposition PNCR of engaging in secret shared governance talks-a charge that both parties strongly denied.

The PPP remains open to dialogue with the political opposition, according to party General Secretary Donald Ramotar, who says parliamentary engagement is yielding more cooperation.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has started the process to identify a presidential candidate for the 2011 general elections, according to General Secretary Donald Ramotar, who says the nominee could be revealed before the end of next year.

By Andre Haynes Gem Madhoo-Nascimento’s latest production, Murder at Guiseppe’s, attempts to serve up a comic take on the murder mystery, but the offerings are at best tragic and indigestible.

PNCR stalwart Cammie Ramsaroop has been elected Chairman of the main opposition party.

Ahead of a crucial contest for leadership today, incumbent PNCR leader Robert Corbin yesterday said the greatest challenge facing the party is providing effective national leadership and he defended the “militancy” of the party under his leadership.