THE People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) said despite the meticulous nature of the ‘house-to-house’ registration process, it is an opportune time to sanitise the electoral list and its General Secretary, Amna Ally, is predicting victory for the coalition government at the 2020 polls.

Ally’s comments were made in response to the opposition People’s Progressive Party which recently said that the PNCR’s call for a new round of house-to-house registration is a sign of desperation. In a statement on Monday, Ally, who is also Minister of Social Protection said: “GECOM as an independent agency must go to work to iron out the details. It is only ‘house-to-house’ registration that will produce a living and accurate list,” Ally said.

Ally added that the coalition government has no intention of derailing Local Government Elections (LGE) nor postpone General Elections. Rather, she explained that while there is a call to sanitise the list of electors by having a ‘house-to-house’ registration, no timeline was given. She said it was a call for GECOM which also has to work out the logistics.

“Permit me to let the PPP/C know that they stymied or delayed Local Government Election for over 14 years. This Coalition Government, while in opposition, agitated for Local Government Elections. As soon as we got into office, we made it a reality in 2016. Therefore, there is no desperate attempt to delay or postpone the elections. We are prepared and will deal this year with the Local Government Elections without fear or favour; with confidence to continue true democracy.”

Ally also expressed that PPP Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, should not judge the party by his standards. “You never wanted a decentralized government and so now, you believe you can overshadow reality with your nauseated assumptions. Let me remind you that under the President David Granger’s administration, people at all levels are enjoying the good….

The PPP/C is blinded by the progress this APNU+AFC government has made. Let me remind you that in many areas, you did not have the vision to provide potable pure water supply; people are now enjoying that under this administration. Many of the roads you refused to fix are being done under this administration. Street lighting has given many the opportunity to light up their lives. Our interior locations can now boast of a new consciousness with the installation of radio stations, keeping them informed of current events. Our aerodromes and airports which are properly maintained add pride to our successes. Do not let me give you more examples. Guyana is better off under this government,” Ally told Jagdeo.

She asserted that “despite the usual racist connotations that are the hallmark of the PPP’s elections campaign, 2020 will see this Coalition Government being victorious.” Ally said gone are the days when Guyanese were swayed by race-based campaigning. “The new thrust is progress and only this government can offer same. The new thrust is power to the people, not corrupt practices. The new thrust is to reach out to all the people, not some of the people. The new thrust is Guyana for all Guyanese. The new thrust is development for all and not development for a few that was practiced under the PPP/C. Come on Guyanese, ‘house-to-house’ registration is a must. Let us stay with a government that will improve our lives,” PNCR General Secretary exhorted.

In its statement last week, the PPP said after the 2015 General and Regional Elections, it had called not only for a new house-to-house registration by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), but for electronic voting, utilizing enhanced biometrics with a paper-ballot trail which could be audited. “Having ignored our calls, the PNC, having completed almost three years in government, is now making calls for a new house-to-house registration. After the completion of two cycles of continuous registration and two periods of claims and objections, the PNC has discovered the harsh reality that its supporters are not heeding their calls to register,” the PPP said.

According to that party, house-to-house registration is a meticulous process that necessitates a protracted time period for its completion and accuracy. “Therefore, having realised that its support is diminishing, this desperate call for a new house-to-house registration by the PNC three years hence, can only be seen as a deliberate attempt to postpone or even derail Local Government Elections (LGE) scheduled for later this year and General and Regional Elections constitutionally due in 2020.”