— Ramjattan delighted democracy prevailed 

Newly-elected Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC) Raphael Trotman said that the party’s 5th Biennial National Conference was a show of strength, relevance and unity.“The strength and relevance of the party was most evident at this National Conference and re-awakened the desire in everyone present to work harder to achieve cohesion and better governance,” Trotman said on Sunday, one day after the National Conference which was held at the Vreed-en-Hoop Primary School on the West Bank of Demerara, Region Three.

“It was quite gratifying to see all ethnic groups interfacing with each other and embracing and promoting the ideals and principles of the party in a show of unity,” added Trotman.

At the packed National Conference with full representation from all 10 administrative regions, the Caribbean and North American Diaspora, and in a keenly contested election, Trotman was elected Party Leader by a razor thin two vote margin over fellow Co-Founder Khemraj Ramjattan (127 votes to 125).

“I am delighted with how democracy prevailed in the AFC today, and I have every confidence that my friend Raphael will lead this party extremely well as he has done in the past and I am very happy to pass the baton back to him for the next two years,” Ramjattan said following the National Conference.

Moses Nagamootoo, who was also nominated to contest for the position of Leader, Chairman and Vice Chairman, had previously withdrawn his candidacy and was elected to the party’s National Executive Committee by an overwhelming number of votes. He was also unanimously appointed to a newly created position of Elder Statesman/Political Advisor following a motion to that effect that was brought before the National Conference.

Having been elected Leader and with the third candidate Cathy Hughes withdrawing her candidacy, Ramjattan was declared Chairman while Hughes prevailed in the elections for Vice Chairperson with 116 votes ahead of Valerie Garrido-Lowe (76 votes) and Audwin Rutherford (47 votes).
Nagamootoo was the incumbent Vice Chairman but did not seek re-election. Co-Founder Leader, the late Sheila Holder was the first Vice Chair and prior to Hughes the only female to hold the post.

Businessman and real estate agent Marlon Williams (125 votes) is the new General Secretary, winning over incumbent David Patterson (83 votes) and Michael Carrington (12 votes).

Delegates attended the National Conference from as far as Warapoka, Santa Cruz, Port Kaituma and Mabaruma in Region One; Kopinang, Paramakatoi, Bamboo Creek, Micobie and Campbelltown in Region Eight; and Lethem, St Ignatius, Karasabai, Annai and Karaudanau in Region Nine. Delegates from the United States of America and the Caribbean also attended and participated.

The returning officer for the elections was Clayton Hall.