…AFC joins APNU in refusing to sign elections Code of Conduct
THE Guyana Elections Commission yesterday said that disruption of political meetings and destruction or defacing of posters is in contrast to the principles documented in the proposed Code of Conduct for Political Parties. This is according to a press statement from GECOM. “The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has received information from political parties complaining that individuals associated with opposing political parties had (i) disrupted political meetings, and (ii) destroyed/defaced posters used in campaign strategies,” GECOM said.
GECOM “unequivocally condemns such occurrences as being in opposition to the spirit of the proposed Code.”
The Commission called upon all political parties and their members, activists and supporters to abstain from any action which could generate discord in the pre, peri, and post-elections periods.
“Further, GECOM invites all stakeholders, especially the political parties, to recognize that peace and public order, freedom of political campaigning, and compliance with electoral laws and regulations are essential and  of paramount importance to the conduct of free, fair and credible elections,” the GECOM statement said.
“In view of the foregoing, the Commission calls upon the leadership of all of the political parties which will be contesting the 2011 General and Regional Elections, to urge their candidates, agents, members and supporters to contribute positively to their respective election campaigns towards ensuring that the Elections are conducted in an atmosphere which[is] devoid of intimidation and fear,” he said.
On Friday last, PPP executive member Mr. Robert Persaud, speaking at a press conference at the party’s Freedom House headquarters, spoke of the attacks that members of his party came under when carrying out their campaign activities in South Georgetown and in other places. At that time, Persaud spoke of his party’s writing of a letter to the Chairman of GECOM asking that the body take action and urged the Commission to demand of the political parties to sign the Code of Conduct.
And in another act of vandalism, the PPP/C  on Tuesday said an attempt was made to torch one of its billboards at 6th Avenue and 2nd Bridge, Diamond Housing Scheme.
The party said this latest act of vandalism targeting PPP/C related campaign materials is believed to have occurred sometime between Sunday night and early Monday morning.
The party maintains that “such actions are the work of a small gang of individuals being organised by the opposition which has so far refused to sign the GECOM code of conduct for elections.”
‘A Partnership for National Unity’ (APNU) on Monday announced that its officials do not intend to sign GECOM’s Code of Conduct. APNU cited the Code’s deficiency in addressing abuses.
Executive member of  APNU, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, made the announcement at a press conference at the party’s Regent Street, Georgetown office.
He said the document “ignores two vital areas in electoral conduct.” These, he said, had to do with campaign financing and access to the State media.
Meanwhile, the Alliance for Change (AFC) stated that it is not prepared to sign the Code of Conduct unless GECOM makes changes to it. In the event that these changes do not come, the AFC is likely to sign its own version of an elections Code of Conduct.
This is according to executive member of the AFC ,Cathy Hughes, who spoke at a press conference held yesterday at the party’s office in Campbellville. She said the AFC will make its version of the Code of Conduct available to the public today.
Speaking to the issue, Hughes said her party was not prepared to sign GECOM’s Code of Conduct in its present manifestation. She said free and fair access to State media is still a bone of contention. “We will be dispatching our thoughts to GECOM in 24 hours. [If we cannot reach agreement with GECOM then we will sign on to our own code],” she said.
Hughes noted too that her party categorically condemns vandalism against any property of any political party. She said that the AFC has had cause to make an official report to the Guyana Police Force about threats and abuse directed to AFC party activists, but is yet to receive any word on actions taken, even though the complaints were detailed and included names of individuals.