THE PNCR needs to immediately put some minimum standards into place. Repeated mistakes and blunders in the recent past have damaged the party’s public stature, something that an already weak party cannot afford in an election year. Two big blunders need prompt redemptive action by the party. First, the party needs to apologise to President Bharrat Jagdeo for accusing him of seeking legal opinions regarding a third term.

This falsification came, not from a third level operative, but from the leader of the PNCR. This is an egregious violation of protocol and Mr. Corbin should do the right thing and make amends. The president has repeatedly stated that he is not interested in a third term.

The second issue is internal to the PNCR but of great importance to all Guyanese. I am referring here to the fact that three high ranking members of the PNCR have accused the party of improperly disqualifying them from the party’s leadership race.

It appears that the PNCR leadership is especially determined to sideline Dr. Van-West Charles. Could it be because it was the same gentleman who proposed that the PNCR should apologise to the nation for past misdeeds?

Some might say that the matter is an internal one and should be left alone. The issue, however, is much broader. The PNCR had a perfect opportunity to do the right thing and hold proper internal elections in order to shed the image of a party that entertains organized skullduggery.

If a party cannot have a free and fair election in its own house, should the electorate trust it to run the country?