IN what has been described as a startling revelation, Brigadier (ret’d) David Granger, Presidential Candidate of the APNU+AFC coalition, last week accused the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) of rigging multiple general elections in the past.

Granger was at the time addressing the coalition’s unity rally at the Bartica Community Centre ground.

Following the submission of his plans to “develop” the mining township of Bartica, Granger took his speech to great heights by accusing the PPP of rigging multiple elections — for the first time on his campaign trail.

The PPP is “very clever”, Granger told Barticians, adding that the ruling party “doesn’t steal big, they steal small.”

Granger said that with 2,400 polling stations countrywide, “the PPP are going to steal votes.” He revealed that, “the PPP stole votes in 1992, 1997, 2001, 2006 and 2011. Every time the PPP competed in an election, you had surplus votes.”

Urging Barticians to ensure that there are no surplus votes, the APNU+AFC leader charged them to be elections watchdogs on elections day.

Moreover, he accused the PPP of paying persons $25,000 to stay at home on elections day, subsequent to the APNU paying them to work as polling agents at the last elections.

“This is true story!” a politically spirited Granger told the gathering as he further unrealistically accused the ruling party of winning 105% of the votes at polling stations where APNU polling station staff were not present.

“Do not believe the PPP have clean hands! We will investigate all that rigging the PPP has been doing. I don’t see how they can get 105% of votes at a polling station,” Granger said, adding that May 11 will be the longest day in the lives of Guyanese.

But Dr. Steve Surujbally, Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), has expressed views that are in stark conflict with Granger’s, who is currently challenging the PPP for office.

In an exclusive interview with this publication, Surujbally disclosed that he is unaware of any rigging that had taken place in the 2006 and 2011 General and Regional Elections.

Further, Dr Surujbally advised that no issue of this nature had ever been raised at the observer mission, or at the level of GECOM, which comprises commissioners from both major political parties.

“I don’t know about anything of that nature! First time I am hearing 2006 and 2011 elections were rigged, and the PPP rigged them,” declares a surprised GECOM Chairman.

By Ravin Singh