Granger refuses to say if PNCR is prepared for General Elections
President David Granger
President David Granger

-says his party is ready for “Local Government Elections”

AGAINST the backdrop of an Alliance For Change (AFC) sponsored no-confidence motion which is slated to be tabled in the National Assembly later this year and could result in early General Elections, Leader of the Opposition and People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Brigadier David Granger (retired) yesterday refused to comment on his party’s preparedness for General Elections, despite being repeatedly asked about it. Instead he said “we are ready for Local Government Elections.”Granger’s disclosure came at his party’s weekly press conference held yesterday at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, Hadfield Street.
According to the Opposition Leader, his party has been “speaking about Local Government Elections since last year” when APNU launched its campaign in October. He noted that in February of 2014, an amendment was passed with the support from the Alliance For Change (AFC) calling for Local Government Elections to be held by August 1, 2014.
This, however, was not a response to the question which sought to provide information on APNU’s preparedness for General Elections.
Nevertheless, Granger continued that: “We are calling on President Ramotar to abide by the Constitution, abide by the law, and let us have Local Government Elections.” He stressed that “constitutional abuse by the President must be brought to a halt,” still not responding to the question posited by Guyanese journalist, Gordon Moseley.
“Is APNU ready for General Elections should this no-confidence motion be presented, and passed in the National Assembly?” Moseley once again questioned the Opposition Leader.
As was evident from the inception, Granger once again reiterated that: “APNU is getting ready for Local Government Elections and we will hold this Government to account that the people of this country are calling for Local Government Elections.”
Drawing the conclusion that APNU is not in any way prepared for General Elections since the Opposition Leader consistently dodged a direct answer to his question, Moseley for the third time issued the question: “So you are not prepared for National Elections?” and was once again met with the same answer: “We are prepared for Local Government Elections.”
However, contrary to his present position, the Opposition Leader only last month had boasted of his party’s preparedness if General and Regional Elections were to be called, noting that APNU is prepared to head into any election “as a partnership.”
After controversy had surrounded the 18th Biennial Congress of the People’s National Congress (PNC) held last July, it had been speculated that internal issues would have prevented the APNU’s readiness to contest Local Government or General Elections, were they to be called immediately.
The Opposition Leader also said: “We have been making preparations, and we are ready to face the elections, whether it’s Local Government or National Elections.”
Granger has also assured that the internal issues which emanated at the 18th Biennial Congress have been resolved internally. “But I do not feel that the behaviour of those 30 or 40 persons should suggest that the party is divided, or that the party is unprepared,” he said.

(By Ravin Singh)

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