As the date for the advance voting by members of the Disciplined Forces draws nearer, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is “fully prepared” for this important event however, the party said it is yet to receive the list of the members of the Disciplined Forces which had been promised to be delivered since February 19.
General Secretary of the PPP, Clement Rohee, stated that the commitment of his Party being in receipt of this list was made by the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Steve Surujbally, during a meeting held with the Commission and a PPP delegation on February 9, last.
“This commitment was given to the PPP, yet the commitment has not been fulfilled. This delay raises once again questions with respect to transparency and efficiency of GECOM who is responsible for supervising and conducting free and fair elections in Guyana. The non-provision of the list of voters of Members of the Disciplined Forces will make it difficult for the Party to carry-out the necessary checks and verifications prior to March 8 in those Local Authority Areas (LAA) where PPP/C Candidates will be contesting,” Rohee declared.
He posited that his Party wishes to remind that deprivation of the list(s) only serves to undermine confidence in the electoral process and can, in the final analysis, bring into question the credibility of the results of the elections.
According to the General Secretary, the PPP is reiterating its concerns with respect to assurances given to have representatives of the Party accompanying the ballot boxes to the place of storage and other logistical arrangements.
“In this regard, the Party calls on GECOM to invite all contesting Parties, individuals and groups to a comprehensive briefing session with GECOM officials where information will be provided with respect to the logistical and other arrangements related to the elections on March 8th and 18th 2016 respectively, a date and time for such a meeting needs be decided on quickly and communicated immediately to the Parties, individuals and groups”.
Rohee also expressed concerns with respect to the use of private residences as Ballot/Polling Stations for the March 8th and 18th , 2016 Local Government Elections. “Apart from the private residence factor, the distance between places of residence and the location themselves are of concern to the PPP”.
He added that the APNU+AFC’s ‘uncanny silence’ in respect to any matter concerning the upcoming LGEs should be of interest to all Guyanese.
what is Rohee worried about, ppp never had any local elections. why should anyone listen to people like rohee.