AN opinion poll conducted by the North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA) in mid-February gave the ruling PPP/C an early lead over the Opposition APNU (PNC)-AFC combination for the May 11 general elections.
However, a large percentage of voters are still undecided and they hold the key to the outcome. The findings revealed that the voters are racially polarised with the PNC (APNU)-AFC getting virtually all of its support from among Africans and Mixed. The ruling PPP/C gets the bulk of its support from among Indians and Amerindians, but also enjoys support from among Africans and Mixed races.
The findings of the poll are obtained from interviews with 620 voters representing the demographics of (42% Indians, 31% Africans, 17% Mixed, 9% Amerindians, and 1% other races) of the population.
The poll was conducted in face-to-face interviews and was coordinated by New York-based pollster Dr. Vishnu Bisram. The results of the poll were analysed at a 95 per cent significance level with a statistical sampling error of plus or minus four percentage points.
According to the findings obtained from the poll, a majority of people do not trust the APNU (PNC)-AFC combination expressing a fear of a return of the type of governance (that resulted from the PNC-UF alliance) that characterised Guyana between 1965 and 1992.
They made reference to racial discrimination and victimisation, dictatorial rule, massive corruption, political murders, banned goods, and criminalisation of consumption of basic foods (like flour, dhal, channa, alou, sardines), among other ills.
According to the findings of the NACTA poll, almost everyone said they don’t want to go back to the kind of hardship and suffering that people experienced under PNC rule. But many are also displeased with the PPP complaining about perceived corruption and arrogance of some officials at various levels of governance including the bureaucracy. They complain about having to grease the hands of public servants in order to get things done. Many voters plan to stay away from the polls.
The findings reveal that Africans and Mixed are very enthusiastic and highly motivated to vote while Indians and Amerindians do not express an equal degree of enthusiasm to vote to keep the PPP in office or to keep out the PNC as in the recent past. However, the fear of a return of the PNC to power may motivate planned non-voters to go to the polling booths. Some former AFC supporters say they plan to show up at the polling stations to punish AFC for linking up with the PNC, hurting the alliance’s chance of winning the elections. The poll said, too, that voters are very angry with the AFC for going to bed with the PNC.
Queried how they plan to vote, 44% said PPP, 40% APNU-AFC, under 2% others, and 14% undecided. The election is still almost two months away and opinion could change by then.
