U.S. SENATOR Edward Kennedy, who died yesterday, had added his considerable support and influence to Guyana’s struggle for the restoration of democracy which culminated in the historic October 5, 1992 general elections that saw the People’s Progressive Part/Civic return to government.

He was one of the most influential and longest-serving senators in U.S. history and his backing of the democracy cause in Guyana buttressed the efforts of former President Jimmy Carter.

Carter helped broker crucial electoral reforms that saw the end of almost 30 years of rigged elections under the People’s National Congress (PNC) government and the historic victory of the PPP/C at the October 5, 1992 polls.

Kennedy, a towering figure in the Democratic Party who took the helm of one of America’s most fabled political families after two older brothers were assassinated, died at age 77, his family said.