PEOPLE’S Progressive Party Civic Member of Parliament, Joseph Hamilton has tabled a motion seeking compensation for persons who were victims of election day violence. The motion stated that election day violence occurred on May 11, 2015, and reports of election day violence were made to the Guyana Police Force. The victims were, among other things, psychologically abused, physically assaulted, robbed, and their properties damaged and destroyed. According to Hamilton violence took place at a number of polling stations on the East Coast of Demerara and Georgetown and, in one instance, the victim required expensive emergency surgery. Vehicles on the scene were damaged. He added in his motion that in another instance, at “C” Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown for over 12 hours the Guyana Police Force was unable to control a riotous crowd that encircled two homes, terrorised the residents, fire-bombed homes and vehicles, and engaged in looting of personal property. Hamilton said that the survivors of the violence were left traumatised, and their properties, including eight vehicles destroyed by arson; two vehicles vandalised and two homes looted and damaged. He also stated that representation was made to the Government by the affected Sophia victims several months ago which ended in failure in obtaining relief for these victims.
Therefore, Hamilton is calling on the National Assembly to confirm the principle of the Government’s compensation for victims of specified forms of election day violence as occurred on May 11, 2015 and that the House must agree that the Government compensates all the victims of Election Day violence who suffered psychologically, physical and materially due to the violence that was unleashed on them on May 11, 2015. Hamilton also wants the Government to meet and consult the victims of election day violence and to have claims for compensation addressed as soon as possible and that the administration must submit a report to the National Assembly within three months with regard to what action has been taken.
Very early in his presidency President David Granger had stated that a thorough investigation into the riot in Sophia must be done. Police have since charged Lloyd Grant, 18, of “C” Field, Turkeyen; Orandel Noel, 18 years, of “B” Field Sophia; Clive Baird, 27 years, of ‘C’ Field, Sophia; Lawrence Harris, 16 years, of ‘C’ Field, Sophia; and Melroy Weekes, 19 years, of ‘D’ Field, Sophia in connection with the looting that occurred during post-polls protests on May 11 at ‘C’ Field, Sophia. At least five motor vehicles, a motorcycle, two stables and other assets belonging to Pastor Narine Khublall, who conducted work for the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), were destroyed during the uproar. It all started an hour before the closing of polls at 18:00 hours when residents accused the PPP member of secretly taking ballot boxes into his property.