GUYANA must be “governed and governable” in the aftermath of the May 11 General and Regional elections, according to Chairman of the Private Section Commission (PSC), Ramesh Persaud, who called for the “campaign rhetoric” to be toned down.He said, “The Commission has noted with concern the seemingly escalating hostility with which candidates and supporters of the major political parties…this is an unfortunate and potentially

dangerous development and we believe that all parties must accept responsibility for this situation.”
Consequently, he has called on the leadership of the major political parties, the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) and the coalition of A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), to stem the “seemingly escalating hostility” with which supporters of both groups relate.
“We would like to urge the leaders of the PPP/C and APNU+AFC to confront and defeat this trend by coming together to make a joint statement which condemns all or any form of hostile behaviour and calls for tolerance on the part of each citizen, regardless of political persuasion,” he said.
When asked, he explained that the PSC envisions that the joint statement will be a nationally televised address to the nation by the leaders of both parties.
“It will be a positive sign,” Persaud said.
He added that the PSC has concluded that there is “seemingly escalating hostility” from several reports made by both parties, regarding the destruction of campaign paraphernalia and the attack on supporters, among other incidents.
“We have received reports of specific incidents… we must condemn all forms of hostility…we therefore expect our political parties to act in a manner which will ensure peaceful and non – violent elections,” Persaud said.
According to him, the PSC will be meeting, separately, all political parties in the lead- up to the elections, as well as continue to engage them after May 11.