DAVID GRANGER’S ULTIMATUM

SO the leader of the People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R), David Granger has given an ultimatum to President Donald Ramotar that expires tomorrow to either announce the date for local government elections or face mobilisation of local and international opposition against his government in “defence of local democracy…”First, let it be admitted that it is a legitimate demand for new local government elections to be held, given the reality that the last time this occurred was back in 1994—within two years of the re-election of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) after almost a quarter century of rigged elections by the PNC to maintain itself in power.
After the ensuing long hiatus that preceded the 2011 general elections, the Government was revealing phased progress in preparations for local government elections. Hence, the Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendment) Bill 2014.
The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is currently engaged in updating the validity of the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) amid continuing speculations of likely snap general elections. This possibility has surfaced against the backdrop of a ‘no- confidence’ motion submitted by the minority opposition Alliance For Change (AFC).
That development was quickly followed by the categorical declaration by President Ramotar to exercise his constitutional powers to authorise snap national elections should the PNCR join the AFC, as it said it would, to pass the ‘no- confidence’ motion when parliament resumes next month. Then came last week’s threatening ultimatum in a letter to President Ramotar by Opposition Leader Granger.
It must be evident to Guyanese, across the political divide, that the PNCR and AFC are clearly engaged in their own leadership maneuverings for power ahead of new national elections. In the case of the PNCR, David Granger is confronted with his own credibility problem against the very bruising backdrop of ‘rigged elections” at the party’s recent 18th biennial congress.
So far as the AFC is concerned, its leader, Khemraj Ramjattan, has come to terms with himself to step aside in favour of fellow PPP defector, Moses Nagamootoo, with Nigel Hughes as his running mate. Currently PNCR’s Granger seems almost frantic to endorse the AFC’s no -confidence motion as he engages in threats to mobilise “local and international support” against the legitimate government unless President Ramotar genuflect to his demands by tomorrow!
We await developments in our rule of law environment that so sharply contrasts with the long years of undemocratic governance and human suffering under the party that Mr. Granger currently uncomfortably leads. Stay tuned.

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