AT conclusion of general elections in 2011, the results showed six seats for the AFC, 27 seats for APNU, and 32 seats for the PPP/C.

Those results revealed a clear winner in the 32 seats won by the PPP/C. However, the combination of APNU+AFC showed the opposition having a slight edge over the PPP/C in gaining 33 seats.

This immediately set off the warning signals in Mr. Ramotar’s head, knowing fully well that elections in the past have never given close results; it was a highly unlikely scenario. And was he right on this one? Sure right he was!

Just look at the number of instances in which rigging was demonstrated; one example was the shutting up of the doors of the polling booth and stuffing the ballot boxes — something the PNC is all too experienced at doing.

At one polling station, the rigging official clashed with PPP/C observer Mr. Lumumba when Lumumba saw the shenanigan going on there. And who could be more vigilant than Mr. Lumumba, judging from the fact that he is a former PNC member who is quite familiar with the dark side of that party? He knows the workings of their rigging machinery.

Then there were the polling agents who were planted there to carry out the wishes of the PNC. On polling day, they acted as if they were ignorant of their duties by not affixing the stamp on the ballot papers, among other things. What resulted was a nullification of those ballots, which I am most certain would have gone the PPP/C’s way.

When you put these and other gross inconsistencies together, Mr. Ramotar asked for a recount to prove his contention that he had won the election outrightly. The opposition feared the worst when the reality of a recount would have seen the PPP/C gaining an outright victory. In response, APNU marshalled its forces for the usual Georgetown street violence.

GECOM’s Surujbally, instead of honouring Ramotar’s request, called on him to form the new government with a minority parliament. He might have told Ramotar, “Pick your poison. Do you want to lead the nation with a minority, rather than suffer untold violence to prove that you won?” Ramotar chose the peaceful route.

Now this has always been the PPP/C’s problem — having to give up their rights in the face of impending violence. Mrs. Jagan did this in the years preceding 1997, and Mr. Ramotar did the same in the last poll. You cannot convince me that we are in 2011 after so many elections and those polling agents still can’t get it right? These are trained personnel who know what to do!

Then why is there confusion? We are all well aware as to the goings on there; this was by no means a mistake, this was a deliberate act to sabotage the process with the sole aim of ensuring a PNC/APNU win.

My question is: what became of those polling agents? Were they rehired? If not, what is GECOM’s plan to deal with any recurrence of this incident? Would they discard the votes in those ballot boxes, or would they count them?

These are all searching questions that deserve immediate answers.

The Opposition was not satisfied with that; they wanted more, hence the continued bullying in a hung parliament. They simply will not stop until they achieve their goal. Here we are in 2015, and the relentless pursuit to get the people’s government out of office continues.

The strategy is still in force, they still believe that their rigging ways can bring them the result they need. And I have no reason to doubt them, because one Opposition supporter told me that they will try the same illegal acts again — stuff the ballot boxes with opposition votes in their strongholds, and deny PPP/C voters in areas that are known to give that party much needed votes to claim a majority.

It is an elaborate plan that could work if all their plans go unnoticed.

From intelligence gathered, they are also in riot mode. As related to me, they are riled up into the usual “revolutionary” readiness. Another staunch supporter would only say, “We are stocking up in the event.” That statement has merit when you witness the latest shocking arms cargo at a local city wharf. The arms shipment was sent to a man from the Buxton/Friendship area. His “gift” from abroad includes two AK-47 rifles, 15 pistols, 489 rounds of ammunition, and bullet proof vests.

The “stocking up” story related to me long before this find certainly has merit. If one were tempted to dismiss the “stocking up” talk as idle talk, then this latest mini-army combat outfit gives a spine-chilling reminder that seizing power by force is no joke.

It was divine providence that the police intercepted this deadly cargo before its consignees had the chance to use the cache. You cannot tell me that these guns are toy guns, or that they were meant to shoot animals. Pistols, far less AK-47s, are not firearms used to shoot wild animals; and wild animals do not return fire, so why the bullet proof vests? I rest my case.

So this change factor, or “Guyana needs a change”, as they put it, is a last ditch desperate attempt to change the will of the people. Come what may, they want power. The people of this country would have seen it all. What they are called upon to do now is go to the polls and make that educated choice: whether we are going to entrust Guyana into the hands of violent dictators, or trust the tried and proven, peace-loving, law-abiding persons we know. If you might have missed the answer, let Peace, Progress and Prosperity Continue (PPP/C!).

NEIL ADAMS