AN opinion poll conducted by the North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA) in mid-February shows that while there are predominantly mixed views ahead of the May 11, 2015 General and Regional Elections, the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) enjoys “a slim lead”.

The results of the poll were released ahead of today’s much anticipated 19th Death Anniversary Commemoration of party founders, Dr Cheddi Jagan and his wife Mrs Janet Jagan.
Speakers at today’s calendar event to be held at the Babu John cremation site at Port Mourant, Corentyne Berbice include Guyanese Head of State President Donald Ramotar, PPP/C prime ministerial candidate Mrs Elisabeth Harper, Former President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo and party General Secretary Mr Clement Rohee, among other party stalwarts.
According to the NACTA poll, which was released yesterday, “the election will be closely contested between the ruling PPP/C and the combined Opposition APNU+AFC (A Partnership for National Unity and The Alliance For Change) with the PPP/C enjoying an advantage in voters’ expectation of which party is likely to win.”
The NACTA poll found too that overall, “voters feel the formation of the APNU+AFC alliance has enhanced the PPP/C’s chances of retaining power, as some half of those who had planned to vote for the AFC have abandoned ship since the party announced its alliance with PNC (APNU).”
The poll also revealed that without the alliance, the AFC would have made in-roads in PPP strongholds in Essequibo, East Bank Demerara, and West Coast although it had lost support on the Corentyne and West Berbice.
According to the results of the poll conducted by Dr Vishnu Bisram, “voters are fearful of a return of the PNC to power even as part of an Alliance…And most voters say they distrust PNC Leader (Brigadier rtd) David Granger, to lead the alliance, fearful of a repeat of the 1960s alliance between PNC and UF (United Force).”
According to Dr Bisram’s poll, overall the findings show voters “are divided along racial lines.”
Asked which party they think will win the election, the poll found that there is an almost equal three way split between the PPP/C, the APNU/AFC alliance, and those who say “too close to call”, with the PPP enjoying a four per cent advantage over the Alliance.
“The closeness of people’s perception of the electoral contest, suggests a very tight race,” the findings revealed.

Potential voters say however “they have been better off under the PPP/C administration than when they were governed by the PNC regime.”
Asked if they are/were better off under the PPP administration or under the PNC government, 51 per cent responded PPP, while 25 per cent believe life was better under the PNC especially under Desmond Hoyte’s tenure.
A significant amount of respondents, 24 per cent, did not offer a response.
Asked if they have any issue with the PNC returning to office 56 per cent said ‘yes’ while 39 per cent replied in the negative.
Many expressed the view that times have changed and they do not think the PNC would repeat its abuses and dictatorial rule if it recaptures power and some PNC supporters feel their party has learned from its misrule and will not repeat past abuses of the nation.
Those concerned about a potential return of PNC to power are primarily supporters of PPP and AFC whereas those not concerned are traditional PNC supporters.

By Gary Eleazar