– difference in quality of list is no promise made to anyone, Jagdeo says
The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has some 435 persons represented on its list of candidates, and President Bharrat Jagdeo contends, that the difference in quality of the list is that no promise was made to anyone included on the list. Following the submission of the list of candidates to the Chief Elections Officer on Thursday, Jagdeo said, “There has been no promise to anyone…you are there on the list simply because you want to associate yourself with the PPP/C.”
In an invited comment, Presidential Candidate Donald Ramotar said, “It (the list) reflects the whole country…it is very representative, in every term.”
Advisor to the President on Governance, Ms. Gail Teixeira, adding her bit, said, “It is very good, geographic, ethnic, religious, gender…it is a good list that will do us proud in the election and in the new government.”
At a press briefing at Freedom House yesterday, campaign spokesman Minister Robert Persaud said the list that was presented is for inclusive politics.
“For us, it was not just preparing a list, but ensuring that we have a blend that reflected the make-up of our society, that presented the best skills and experience and youth and competence…it is very forward looking with a team that can take this country to greater heights,” Persaud said.
He explained that three lists were prepared, the national top-up list, the geographical list and the regional list.
The campaign spokesman gave the breakdown as:

– Geographical: 31 per cent from the hinterland, 20 percent from urban centres and 40 percent from rural areas;

– Gender: 36 percent female, going beyond the requisite one third representation ratio;

– Ethnicity: 49 percent Indo-Guyanese, 31 percent Afro-Guyanese, nine percent Amerindians, two percent Portuguese, two percent Chinese, and seven percent mixed races;

– Religion: 46 percent Christians, 40 percent Hindus and 14 percent Muslims; and

– Age: 36 percent below 40, 37 percent between 41 and 50, and 27 percent above 50, the average age being 45.
Persaud stated that 69 percent of the 435 candidates on the list are PPP members, with the remaining 31 percent representing the Civic block of the party.
According to him, looking at the composition of the list, one would recognize clearly the focus of the compilation – inclusive politics.