President Bharrat Jagdeo

ALTHOUGH he has repeatedly made it clear he’s not interested in running for a third term in the 2011 general elections, the latest opinion poll shows President Bharrat Jagdeo is the clear favourite among Guyanese to lead a new government.

The findings by pollster Vishnu Bisram of the North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA) published in several newspapers here show that none of Mr. Jagdeo’s potential successors in the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) have as much support as he has.

Bisram, who has done similar polls in Trinidad and Tobago, said Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Ralph Ramkarran and PPP/C General Secretary, Mr. Donald Ramotar are early favourites in preference for President to succeed Mr. Jagdeo.

Alternative choices for President in the opposition camp did not score high in the poll which found that the incumbent PPP/C is set to continue in office at the 2011 elections.

Asked to comment on the NACTA poll prediction of a win for Mr. Jagdeo if a referendum facilitates a third-term bid for presidency, People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) leader, Mr. Robert Corbin was content to refer to columnist Freddie Kissoon’s column in Monday’s issue of the Kaieteur News, in which he discredits the organisation and Bisram.

The NACTA poll predicts a victory for the PPP/C at the 2011 elections but states that its findings reveal larger voter support for the party if Mr. Jagdeo runs for the presidency.

The Guyana Constitution limits a President to two terms in office and this can only be changed by a referendum with a two thirds majority voting for a change.

Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, said in a recent interview that there is a paucity of good leadership material in the region and heads-of-states who have proven to be good leaders should not serve for limited terms.

Mr. Jagdeo has initiated many impactful programmes, several of which have regional and global survival implications.

He is also a forceful leader paving the way for many developmental changes that are projected to provide a continuum of growth in the nation. 

He is immensely popular and has become the first choice as spokesperson within the Caribbean fraternity of nations because he has won respect from his counterparts for his strong stand on issues relating to the welfare of the region, as in the instance of the European Union-driven Economic Partnership Agreement.

His initiative on the Low Carbon Development Strategy is being acclaimed the world over by heads of powerful organisations and nations.

The NACTA poll said Ramkarran and Ramotar edge out several other potential presidential prospects.

As presidential choices, Ramkarran polls 15% and is closely followed by Ramotar with 14%.

In rating Ramkarran as the top candidate, voters describe him as a politician of integrity who will be a fair leader.  Non-Indians see him as a non-racial person who can help to bring healing to a divided nation. Ramkarran is particularly liked by voters in the urban areas and by the middle and business classes.

Bisram said Ramotar is well-liked among party loyalists and Amerindian voters but some feel he needs to improve his public image and persona.

Former PPP/C Minister Moses Nagamootoo is liked by long time rank and file members of the party with appeal also among non-Indians who say he will be a just ruler. Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud has wide appeal among younger voters and people from among the farming sector.  They feel he is maturing well since becoming a minister and would make a good President with more training.

Corbin is next with 12% as is Robert Persaud also with 12%.

Nagamootoo scored 10%, Alliance For Change Leader Raphael Trotman also got 10%, with several others trailing in single digits.

Among those with single digit support are Winston Murray and CN Sharma. Some voters feel Murray will have trans-racial support among the diverse races and will make for an excellent President but do not think he will be given the PNC/R candidacy.

Many voters love Sharma who is indisputably considered the most popular personality in the greater Georgetown metropolis (incorporating Regions 3 and 4) because of his TV programme Voice of The People, Bisram said.

Among others identified as potential Presidential successors are Ravi Dev, Carolyn Rodrigues, Manzoor Nadir, Khemraj Ramjattan, Vincent Alexander, Aubrey Norton, and Aubrey Armstrong.

Corbin’s support is restricted to traditional party supporters. Voters feel he will be re-elected as PNC/R leader at his party’s convention.  Trotman attracts support from among disgruntled supporters of the PPP/C and PNC/R, especially among the business and educated classes.

Bisram said voters are not particularly excited with the choices available to them and several feel a young woman should be given a chance to lead the country.