By Kurt Campbell
[www.inewsguyana.com] – The ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) says it now awaits the manifestation of Leader of the Opposition David Granger’s threat to mobilize local, national and international support in defense of democracy if President Donald Ramotar fails to announce a date for the holding of the long overdue local government elections today.
PPP/C General Secretary, Clement Rohee told a media conference this morning [Monday, September 15] that the Party is on the alert for any expectation. He said the PPP/C will give its support to the administration so that no effort of intimidation or otherwise succeeds.
“We have until 12 midnight tonight for it to expire and I think everyone is waiting to see manifestation of Granger’s threat,” Rohee said.
Granger, last week, wrote President Ramotar demanding that he announce a date for the holding of Local Government Elections (LGE) before Monday, September 15 and to issue the ‘Commencement Order’ to operationalise the Local Government Commission and to initiate a process by which the Local Government (Amendment) Bill could be returned for his assent.
The Opposition Leader has threatened that failure by the President to announce a date for the holding of LGE will result in lawful action being taken to mobilise national and international support in defence of “local democracy, the Constitution and the rights of the Guyanese people.”
The Head of State has since responded; saying he wants Granger to clarify what precisely is his Party’s position. According to President Ramotar, the Opposition’s position on local and general elections is ambiguous and contradictory.
To this end, Rohee said the PPP is fully supportive of the President’s call for clarity. The Opposition Leader maintains that his letter is no bluff. He says it was short and clear and believes the President is looking to stall for time.
