INCUMBENT Head of State, President Donald Ramotar, is the presidential candidate for the ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) leadership ticket heading into the May 11 elections.This was confirmed yesterday by PPP/C General Secretary, Mr Clement Rohee, during his weekly press conference, held at party’s Freedom House headquarters.

According to Rohee, there was no other nominee up for consideration when the decision on the presidential candidate was made by the party last week.

“Donald Ramotar is the only presidential candidate; there is no other presidential candidate,” Rohee declared.

Asked by a reporter about the chances of a change in the presidential candidate, Rohee said, “I doubt it.”
The General Secretary added that a decision on the Prime Ministerial candidate is still to be made, and, as per norm, the successful nominee is most likely to come from the Party’s Civic component.

“We are still in discussions,” he informed.
GOING BACK FOR ‘MY MAJORITY’

President Ramotar had, at a press conference held in mid-November last, expressed confidence that he would be the presidential candidate for the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic at the next general elections. He had also made it clear that he was not afraid of facing the electorate, since the Guyanese people are perfectly capable of judging the accomplishments made relative to national development and their improved livelihoods.

The PPP/C has won every general election since 1992; however, at the last elections, the combined Opposition gained control of the National Assembly by a one-seat majority in a 33-32 split.

The Guyanese Head of State expressed confidence of regaining the parliamentary majority his party lost in the 2011 general and regional elections by one seat.

“This time I am going back for my majority, bigger than ever before,” President Ramotar had said.

The President credited his confidence in regaining the majority to the Government’s performance in moving the country forward for the benefit of the Guyanese people, and to the experiences of the Guyanese people in the last three years.

LIST OF CANDIDATES
General Secretary, Clement Rohee, also disclosed that the PPP/C List of Candidates has not as yet been finalised. The List of Candidates fielded by the contesting political parties is headed by the presidential candidate. That list is submitted on Nomination Day, and is used to determine who represents a particular party in the National Assembly, based on the outcome of the General and Regional Elections.

“The list and the nominees (Presidential and Prime Ministerial candidates) do not go hand in hand; not necessarily,” Rohee said.

Questions about the role of former President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo were also posed to the PPP General Secretary, and he pointed out that the former President is a member of both the Central and Executive committees of the PPP.

Rohee said the Guyanese people should not be surprised if Jagdeo is one of the many persons on the PPP/C campaign trail. “Mr. Jagdeo is an Executive and Central member of the Party. He is a member of the Party in good standing. (He is) a former president, and he has made useful contributions. I don’t think it would surprise anyone for him to be part of the campaign and for him to be on our list,” Rohee said.

He added that the former President is viewed as an “asset” to the Party, despite the “attacks” launched against him in sections of the media. Rohee said, “We are not going to let go of him because of the attacks that have been launched against him over the years….he is an asset to us. He is one of us.”

All considered, the PPP General Secretary maintained that the PPP/C is poised to face the electorate on May 11. (Vanessa Narine)