AMIDST widespread allegations of elections rigging and electoral fraud, Brig. (Rt’d.) David Granger has once again assumed the mantle, unopposed, as Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR). 

Concluding the 18th Biennial Congress of the Party, Granger was re-elected to serve as Party Leader after the withdrawal of Region 10’s Regional Democratic Chairman, Sharma Solomon and party stalwart Mr. Aubrey Norton, on claims that the voting process was marred by inaccuracies.
Speaking against these accusations, the new Party Leader Brig. (Rt’d.) Granger stressed the connotative nature of some words to invoke chaos. “Rigging, padding; these words are very emotive… We don’t have any evidence”, Granger stated.
He added that in the event of there being evidence to support the many claims, “We will investigate the matter… [But] we cannot proceed on the base of these allegations.” The PNCR Leader instead diverted the accusations remarking that “any indication of rigging were attempts to flood voting lists.”
When questioned on the move to abdicate the coveted seat and return to the ballots in bringing a more fair and inclusive race, Granger rejected this suggestion, stating that “We are not prepared to go back unless there is evidence of wrongdoing and there has not been evidence of wrongdoing.”

LACKING ELECTORAL INTEGRITY
Also unopposed in his run for the Chairmanship post was the new PNCR Chairman Mr. Basil Williams. During a press conference last evening at the PNCR Secretariat (Congress Place) Sophia, Greater Georgetown, Williams pronounced that Granger retaining the post is reflective of “the full acclamation of the thousands of delegates and observers.”
Meanwhile, he announced that Granger’s sole challenger, Mr. Aubrey Norton, declined his candidacy for the post “minutes before the commencement of the poll and announced that he was withdrawing because he was dissatisfied with the process.”
“Amidst administrative difficulties over the delegate representation of Region 10, a special effort was made by the leadership of the Party and [the] Accreditation Committee to resolve all matters of concern”, Williams reaffirmed.
He related that it was agreed by the parties present that “irrespective of the difficulties concerned on the issuing of delegates’ cards, all accredited delegates from Region 10 and any other region whose names were on the list would be allowed to vote in the elections.”
Williams, in his capacity as Chairman, went the extra mile giving all assurance that the final list of the “approved delegates” was issued to Regional Democratic Chairman, Mr. Sharma Solomon and Mr. Norton to allow for observation and scrutiny. However, he recorded that on the last day of the Congress, “Two busloads of persons from Linden arrived at the Congress venues, all claiming to be delegates during the registration process, [And] they were advised that there were no delegate’s cards for them.”
Williams mentioned that the final list was submitted to both contenders but “there were no monumental changes to that list.”
“Being very dissatisfied, they then proceeded to block the entrance to the auditorium where accredited delegates were assembling to vote. In the ensuing confusion, an explosive sound was heard which caused momentary confusion. However order, was quickly restored and the congress proceeded with its business”, explained Williams.
The PNCR Chairman made glaring accusations that the People’s Progressive Party Administration was somehow directly involved in the sabotage of the congress. He further added that the PNCR will investigate the known agents within its camp.
Questioned on the definitive number of representatives from the Region 10 group, Williams responded in the affirmative that 98 representative delegates were present from Region 10. The Chairman cited this figure stating that “there were 80 delegates, and I think that the GYSM [Guyana Youth Student Movement] had 18… in total from Region 10.”
But “when there was the departure from Comrades Norton and Sharma from Region 10, about 40 delegates from that region remained in the auditorium.”

PARTY DIVISION
Responding to questions of a possible division of the party because of the current impasse, Mr. Granger rejected the notion that the party is more divided than it has ever been. Addressing the actions of dissenting members, Granger noted that there were elements of dissenting voices in the party which marred the biennial congress. He assured that, “those elements do not represent a majority of the Party to create such a massive division.”
“Certainly we would like to have a strong united party, but I believe that the majority of people who remained in the hall were able to give an accurate picture of the opinions and influence of the delegates countrywide”, as quoted from Granger.
Other members who returned to their posts unopposed, other than Granger and Williams, were APNU Members of Parliament Ms. Volda Lawrence and Dr. George Norton as Vice-Chairpersons. The only contested position was that of Party Treasurer which was won by APNU Member of Parliament, Mr. Ronald Bulkan.
“I believe that the vast majority of party members support the present team that was elected… I believe that in the long term, the majority of people will continue to support the PNC and this is what was displayed in this very auditorium today.” Granger conclusively noted.
Written By Derwayne Wills