– Many voters say “Leff Jagdeo right deh… The man doing a good job”
ALTHOUGH President Bharrat Jagdeo will be forced out of office by constitutional term limits when his current term expires in 2011, the President enjoys significant support to serve another term in office according to public opinions obtained from a survey conducted by the North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA) last month.

Voters also express widespread support for the holding of local government elections next year.

Voters indicate they are not very impressed with the choices before them to succeed the departing President.

Indeed, the opinion poll does not show an overwhelming preference for any of the Presidential contenders from among the various parties to succeed Jagdeo when he demits office.

Over half the respondents say they do not object to Jagdeo seeking another term if it is plausible. However, a fifth of the voters are opposed to Jagdeo getting another term saying the constitution should be respected.

Some of them say since the President has consistently indicated he does not desire to serve another term, they feel it is a moot question.

Nevertheless, if Jagdeo were to be the PPP/C Presidential candidate at the 2011 election, the general consensus is he will be re-elected.

In fact, the general feeling among people throughout the country is the PPP/C will retain office next elections against a weak opposition. None of the opposition parties is seen as a viable alternative to the PPP/C.

The poll was conducted last month to determine whether voters support the idea of a third term being peddled in Guyana as well as to obtain their views on other current issues.

The poll was conducted by Vishnu Bisram for NACTA in mid July. The opinion poll interviewed 860 voters (45% Indians, 31% Africans, 14% Mixed, 10% Others) to represent the demographic composition of the population with a margin of error of 4%.

According to the findings of the poll, voters are not very excited with the Presidential aspirants from among the various political parties, with none of the potential successors enjoying majority support from among the population.

A whopping 62% of those surveyed support the idea of “a third term” with 21% opposing it and 17% saying they are not sure. Many voters say “Leff Jagdeo right deh. The man doing a good job”.

The President’s supporters say he gets things done, describing him as ‘a down to earth leader’ who makes himself accessible to people and hears their complaints. However, detractors say Jagdeo often appears too arrogant, dominant and unwilling to consider others’ views in decision making.

Voters were also asked if they think local government elections should be held next year — 67% say Yes with 20% saying No and 13% saying they are not sure.
Do you support the idea of a third term for President Jagdeo?
Do you think there should be local gov’t elections next year?