“THE People’s Progressive Party forthrightly condemns the actions by Opposition forces in destroying elections-related materials mounted in various parts of the country and the intimidation of their supporters,” said People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) stalwart, Gail Teixeira.Speaking at the PPP/C press conference held at Freedom House, Teixeira condemned the behaviour of Opposition supporters toward PPP/C supporters, noting also that the party thought it is time that they publicly highlight this sort of distasteful behaviour. “We want to bring to your attention a number of instances which we find disturbing, which is important for you to know and also of course the public.”
She explained that the issue of intimidation and abuse of the PPP/C supporters by APNU+AFC (A Partnership of National Unity and The Alliance For Change) supporters in full colours of the yellow and green.
Teixeira explained some of the events that transpired over the last few days. “At La Penitence, Middle Road, where there has been a traditional polling station at a residence since 1997, on two occasions in the last five days groups of women and men have threatened the owner of the house and abused him, telling him that no one will be allowed to vote at that polling station.” She explained that the resident of the home was urged to make a police report, as well as to report same to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).
Another incident, she noted, was in Alexander Village. “A report on April 15 came out that nine persons in APNU+AFC colours [were] walking through the village threatening and abusing people and telling them what would happen to them if they vote for PPP/C. In Albouystown/Charlestown, we have reports that more covert intimidation, again of threatening people that they can’t be polling agents and they can’t vote for the PPP/C …”
At William and Queen Streets, Kitty on Monday April 13, she said, “The video is on YouTube, the footage of the behaviour of APNU+AFC supporters, where Dr. Luncheon spoke, the meeting was interrupted by persons with APNU+AFC colours with their flags… a person who was passing by was grabbed and forced to hold the flag and dance on the street.
“These are some concerns, a report was received this morning where a man wearing a PPP/C t-shirt after a PPP meeting was accosted, beaten and threatened… we are currently investigating it,” she said.
“In the past we had incidents like this…it is very different this time… it is orchestrated, organised and engineered. These are done by persons in marked APNU+AFC vehicles; in Cummings Lodge, they went in and pulled down the flags and posters. There are also reports in Albouystown, and other areas,” she stressed.
The party is calling on the police to pay heed to its concerns and reports and to do what is necessary to ensure an election that is free from fear and intimidation. Teixeira is also calling on the Opposition coalition to speak out against these behaviours of its supporters, adding that despite the ongoing situation, they have not once spoken out against it.
“The PPP/C forthrightly condemns the actions by Opposition forces in destroying elections-related materials mounted in various parts of the country…the PPP remains resolute and would not be fazed by these actions and would not allow its campaign to be derailed.”