DECLARATIONS of a win at the just concluded May 11 polls by the leadership of A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) have been deemed as “reckless” by incumbent President Donald Ramotar.The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic presidential candidate, at a news conference held yesterday at Freedom House, charged that the assertion is part of a continuous trend by the opposition to compromise the May 11 elections.

APNU+AFC presidential candidate, Brigadier (rtd) David Granger, yesterday disclosed that after counting from 2,025 statements of poll, APNU+AFC has won 182,176 votes compared to 157,947 by the PPP/C. As such, his contention is that the APNU+AFC holds a commanding lead that will be “difficult to close.”

But President Ramotar remains adamant: “Their irresponsible declaration creates a dangerous situation, given that GECOM (Guyana Elections Commission) is yet to announce the official results.”

He underscored the fact that GECOM is the only authority to make such declarations; and, unlike APNU+AFC, the PPP/C has remained “sensible and responsible” in disclosures made regarding results of the May 11 polls.

Mr Ramotar contends that the leadership of the political opposition erred in disclosing a win before the official results have been announced, particularly given existing tensions.

He explained that the PPP/C itself has done its own counting in 2,213 of the 2,299 polling stations, and its internal tabulations to date have indicated that that party has support in at least six of the 10 administrative regions, with 182,664 votes.
“I am not declaring a victory,” Mr Ramotar stressed.

He declined to “speculate” on what the end result of the 2015 General and Regional Elections would be. “I have an idea of where we are, but I will not make that disclosure,” the PPP/C presidential candidate said.

Consequently, Mr Ramotar has called on GECOM, as well as electoral observer missions on the ground, to condemn the actions of APNU+AFC.

All considered, the PPP/C presidential candidate made it clear he remains confident that his party would be declared successful in securing a mandate from the Guyanese people.