-teams to fan out countrywide
PEOPLE’S Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) spokesman, Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud has given assurance that contingencies implemented to ensure a smooth flow of activities tomorrow are all going according to plan. At a press briefing Friday at Freedom House, the party’s executive member said mobile teams will today be out in each community to further advance voter education.
He said that while it is a norm for political activities to come to a halt 24 hours prior to the holding of elections, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has cleared that party to continue its voter education outreach.
“We are not aware that there is a cut-off (time). There is nothing of the sort in the People’s Representation Act. It is a norm that campaigning stops 12 hours (before) the elections, and we will end our activity long before that … it is a community outreach. If there are issues that voters want addressed, if there is a process that they don’t understand, we will be on the road in every community on Sunday, reaching out to the people,” Persaud said.
He made it clear that the PPP/C had written to GECOM and will be guided by the Commission.
“During this time, no one must feel threatened, no one must feel intimidated, and everyone must reject any message of division and disunity, or anything that is intended to harm free and fair elections,” he said.

Concerns
Persaud said there were a few concerns which were raised with GECOM.
“We have flagged these concerns with GECOM … These have been addressed. There is active engagement to ensure that on Polling Day everything goes smoothly,” he said.
Persaud noted that the PPP/C is satisfied with the contingency plans of the security forces to ensure law and order, as well as to ensure that no one is intimidated or prevented from casting their vote, come Monday.
“We expect that these plans will be effected to ensure that everyone is free to cast their ballot for whichever party they choose,” he said.
Persaud added that the PPP/C will be working with voters who have difficulty identifying where they can go to cast their vote.
“We have an active voter education programme,” he stressed.
According to him, come Monday, a PPP/C representative will be at each polling station to ensure that those who need help get assistance.
“In accordance with the guidelines, outside of the polling stations, we will have a desk where people will be guided, to ensure that every Guyanese is able to exercise their right to vote,” he said.

No distraction
Persaud contends that tomorrow being declared a national holiday is welcomed by the PPP/C, as it will likely eliminate distractions.
“It will allow the process not to be distracted; and secondly, it will give voters the opportunity not to be taken away from their civil duty because they have to go to work … It gives everyone the opportunity to ensure they give elections process time,” he said.
He pointed out that GECOM staffers and those recruited by the Elections Assistance Bureau (EAB), a local observer, are all locals, who, with the day being a national holiday, will have more time.
“We welcome the declaration of Elections Day being a holiday. It is in the national interest, and will aid the process of a smooth flow,” he said.
Persaud added that, as a national holiday, there will be a full national commitment to the elections process.
“It is an advantage to the process … Once it aids the process of democracy, the free and fair elections, there should be no reason why we would not welcome this,” he said.
Persaud called for all Guyanese to use this opportunity to exercise their democratic right and civil responsibility to cast their votes. He deemed it a period when no one must feel threatened or intimidated, and when everyone must reject disunity.
He made it clear that the PPP/C is committed to free and fair elections.