The findings of ongoing NACTA polls indicate that uncommitted voters and PPP supporters as well as the business community want President Ramotar to give a commitment to as well as to show signs that it will not be “business as usual” in his new term as President should he win re-election. They want to see significant changes in policy and in the composition (a lot of fresh faces) of the new cabinet if the party wins Monday’s Elections.Voters express kudos to President Ramotar and General Secretary Clement Rohee for committing to and advocating for the party’s vision for a new term – Version 2.0. They also say the presence of former President Bharrat Jagdeo has energised and lifted the campaign. And they praise the performance of several current members of the Government, including but not limited to Irfaan Ally, Ashni Singh, Frank Anthony, Robert Persaud, Priya Manickchand, Carolyn Rodrigues, Dr. N.K Gopaul, and Bishop Juan Edghill, all of whom have high poll numbers among party supporters for likability and performance.
Voters endorse the economic changes proposed in “Version 2.0”. But they say they not only want to see policy change, they also want a change in the way business is conducted in the party and Government and significant change in the faces of the cabinet. Voters say they want the President to commit to and show that there will be a lot of new faces in his next cabinet should he win re-election.
The polls find that undecided and wavering voters, largely Indians, say they are looking for signs of potential appointment from the President of the new faces who will be in the cabinet so they can make up their mind on how to vote. They are attracted to some of the economic proposals of the Opposition coalition. Without winning the bulk of the undecided votes, it will be difficult for the incumbent party to retain office. The projected (new) faces of the cabinet could help undecided voters make up their mind.
Voters say they are pleased with the inclusion of several key business leaders and professionals such as Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, Clinton Urling, Charles Ramson, and Dr. Mahinder Sharma and hope to see these faces as part of a new cabinet. In addition, other young faces like Chanderpal, Ms. Texeira Khan, in the PPP parliamentary line continue to signal that the party is interested in young voters. Voters say the new faces have brought a sense of freshness and dynamism in the PPP, signalling significant change is coming to the country’s oldest party.
The inclusion of the new faces in the PPP’s candidate line up has created a renewed sense of hope among voters who left the PPP in 2011 and voted for the AFC. The inclusion of the new faces is resonating well with party supporters, businesses and non-aligned voters. Since the inclusion of these new faces and their presence on the campaign trail, the PPP has recovered a significant percentage of the support it lost in 2011. The party’s polling numbers have drastically swung upwards.
But the PPP’s support is still not over the 50% mark and is in a close battle with the Opposition coalition. A signal of the composition of the new cabinet could seal the deal for the PPP.

Vishnu Bisram