THE People’s Progressive Party/Civic welcomes the various observer missions to Guyana.
“We are pleased that they have accepted the invitation of the Government of Guyana to scrutinize and pronounce on the fairness of our general and regional elections slated for November 28, 2011,” a PPP/C statement said last evening. “Their presence here will aid in ensuring the integrity of the electoral process and their certification of the polls will allow for a greater measure of confidence in the eventual outcome.
“The People’s Progressive Party/Civic wishes for our country to continue to expand unity and social cohesion after the elections. We are keen to ensure that peace and stability exemplify our maturity as a democratic nation. However, we are deeply perturbed , and have brought to the attention of the foreign observers the pernicious attempts by the opposition parties to stoke the fires of division in our society.
“The opposition parties and groups associated with them have, both overtly and subliminally, been pandering to race and attempting to exploit racial and ethnic sensitivities at these elections.
“We have received copies of publications and even reviewed statements being made on the platform and elsewhere which do not aid the cause of national unity.
“We believe that these insidious appeals by these parties can incite irreparable divisions, excite racial prejudices and undermine the peace and serenity that is necessary for the exercise of the will of the people, and more dangerously, can become the pretext for post-election disruptions.
“While we remain confident that the Guyanese people will reject such attempts to divide them and forge strife within their midst, we feel that it is of sufficient importance to bring to the attention of all observers and various stakeholders.
“Our Presidential Candidate Donald Ramotar has already met with several of the international observer missions, when he relayed these sentiments and concerns.
“Once again, the PPP/C urges all to desist from any messages and actions aimed at creating division and animosity in our society. Unity and harmony must prevail,” the statement concluded.