– says investigation has been launched into the matter

THE People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has agreed to withdraw its submission from the Wakenaam Local Authority Area (LAA) if claims of irregularities prove to be true.
The PPP/C was accused of padding its list of backers with names of persons who are either dead, living abroad or did not give their consent to be on the list which was submitted on Nomination Day. Local Government Elections (LGEs) are set for November 12, 2018.

“Most of the signatures here are forged signatures, a criminal offence and punishable by law… dead persons are on this list and next to their names are signatures… this requires the police intervention,” said Regional Information Officer of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Ganesh Mahipaul in a post on his Facebook page.

Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, in response to the accusation said the party is aware and has launched an investigation to ascertain if it is true. “If claims of irregularities are proven to be true, the candidates would be instructed to withdraw from contesting a constituency in the Wakenaam area.

“We are examining that now and if that turns out to be true, we are going to instruct the people on the ground not to contest that area because we will not tolerate it….we’re doing an investigation,” said Jagdeo during a press conference at Freedom House on Monday.
Jagdeo however contended that the PPP/C was accused of the act in only one area, while there have allegedly been similar acts in 42 of the 80 LAAs.

He alleged that the United Republican Party (URP), the Alliance For Change (AFC) and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) have committed fraudulent acts in those 42 LAAs. In the light of those accusations and past irregularities, Jagdeo recommended that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) implement stricter penalties for elections-related offences.

The LGEs, regardless of any challenges, will not be postponed, Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), retired judge James Patterson had said in a report from the Guyana Chronicle.

“It looks as if, but I cannot guarantee that we are going to be undisturbed, unless there are troublemakers,” said Patterson in an invited comment. He believes that his staff understands the seriousness of the task ahead and intends to take it very seriously.