THE opposition PPP will hold its Congress, which Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has suggested was inconsequential to him, from December 16-18 on the Essequibo Coast.The Congress is the highest decision making body of the party, which lost the seat of government at the May, 2015 general elections.

The announcement was made by PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee on Monday.

He noted the “urgency of the party to re-take political power within the shortest possible time…in order to arrest the downward trajectory in which the country is now heading”.

Jagdeo last month said he did not care when the Congress is held, saying nothing will change if the Congress is held “tomorrow or next year.”

The PPP is seeking to diffuse suggestions that there is internal wrangling about who will lead the party into the next general elections.

While there is yet no set theme for the upcoming Congress, Rohee said focus will be placed on the need for electoral reforms, inclusive of e-registration, a new voters’ list, electronic voting, and electronic tabulation of results.

This comes even as the party continues to mount pressure for the resignation of Guyana Elections Commission Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally.

Jagdeo was seen as the powerhouse of the PPP and fronted the campaign of the party in the last two elections, when Donald Ramotar ran as the Presidential candidate. In 2011, the PPP lost control of Parliament, and then in May, 2015, it lost the seat of government.

“The congress is supposed to be held this year and it’s a Central Committee decision about when it’s held and the Central Committee has not met as yet and frankly speaking, if it’s held tomorrow or next year, I don’t care. It does not make a difference to me, whether it’s held tomorrow or next year. What will change?” the Opposition Leader told reporters at a press conference held at the party’s Freedom House, Georgetown headquarters mid last month.

The PPP’s last congress was held in Berbice in August 2013 and according to the party’s constitution, Congress is due to be held this year.

Former PPP Executive Member Ralph Ramkarran had suggested that Rohee and Jagdeo may not be too keen on having the congress this year.

However, Jagdeo chastised Ramkarran’s suggestion and described him as an “opportunist” who is still upset he was not given the opportunity to be the PPP’s presidential candidate.