Party leaders call for decent campaigning
Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan
Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan

… Ramjattan urges opponents not to provoke other party supporters

POLITICAL party leaders have urged citizens to refrain from nasty
elections campaigning in light of complaints from both sides of the political divide of aggressive behaviours from some supporters.

In recent days, reports have been made that supporters of the major political parties have been ‘tearing down’ political paraphernalia such as flags and posters and have verbally attacked each other since the parties’ campaign launch. Meanwhile, many persons on social media noted that such events were the result of provocation.

On January 2, 2020, an incident occurred when a ‘canter’ transporting PPP/C activists were prevented from going through Laing Avenue, West Rumiveldt, Georgetown. A complaint was issued after a video went viral. There have been similar videos and reports of opposition supporters attacking activists of the coalition.

Executive members of these parties have since called on their supporters to adhere to the laws of the country and desist from participating in activities that promote “political thuggery.”

Director General, Joseph Harmon

President David Granger has always preached peace and unity. This is noted by the fact that the APNU+AFC government endorsed unity at its campaign launch last Friday at D’urban Park which saw diversity, as Guyanese from all walks of life celebrated as one.
It is noted that what is said during these rallies has a grave effect on how the people react, as such, Director General, Joseph Harmon, called on the PPP/C to be responsible in their campaign messages and avoid comments of division, since such can lead to violence and a vehement election campaign. “The statements which they make on the platforms and in their communities where they have their supporters will have an impact on people everywhere in this country,” the Director General stated.

Harmon further noted that, the APNU+AFC does not encourage or condone acts of violence and as such, condemns the incident that occurred in Laing Avenue. “We don’t encourage that kind of behaviour, we believe in civil campaigning and that is what we have always done. We believe that this country needs to be united and unity is our message. We’ve said it at our campaign launch and at our campaign rally, we believe that unity is where this country needs to go and not [division],” he stated.

Additionally Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, condemned the behaviour which took place at Laing Avenue, saying: “it is something that should be condemned. There is deliberate destruction of your opponent’s paraphernalia and it should be halted …it is not a good thing, it is not a good thing for a democracy and acknowledging democracy to have people on the opposing side destroying [campaign materials].”

Ramjattan, in an invited comment on Monday, stated that it is every citizen’s right to express themselves and political views and as such one must not try to deface or destroy any campaign materials. “We must enjoy the right to freely express ourselves through our paraphernalia and I feel that is way we will grow and mature as a rule-of-law country ….and there must be a halt to this kind of thing,” Minister Ramjattan stated.
He added that as the Minister of Public Security and as the AFC’s choice for Prime Ministerial Candidate, he does not condone acts of political vulgarity and wants all Guyanese to be mature, be calm and to overlook instances of provocation.
“I am urging our supporters not to be provoked to anything that can be negative and painted in international press,” he stated.

Minister Ramjattan stated that the PPP/C has the capacity to provoke people sometimes such as the incident which occurred outside of the Pegasus Hotel during the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) luncheon last year, however, he is urging supporters of the APNU + AFC government to remain calm and not to be provoked by similar events.

Meanwhile PPP/C Presidential Candidate, Irfaan Ali, during the party’s campaign launch on Sunday at the Kitty Market Square, condemned persons who are participating in vile and malicious acts of political thuggery. Ali added that the PPP/C stands for unity and urged his followers to not be provoked by acts to hinder their democracy and patriotism to their country.

Executive Member of the PPP/C, Anil Nandlall, also stated that, acts of political vulgarity should not be ignored and such behaviour should not be condoned. Nandlall also urged supporters of the PPP/C not to retaliate or indulge in such unlawful acts, and take their anger and frustrations to the polling stations on March 2 and cast their ballots.

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