-sees 512 per cent increase in voters

-says promises will be kept

THE People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has made significant headway in the township of Linden, securing over 2000 votes in this year’s Local Government Elections (LGEs).

Those votes reflect a 512 per cent increase of supporters from the previously held LGEs in 2018 and, according to the party’s leader of the candidates list, Dr. Shurdon Murray, it’s a massive gain.

“This is a great improvement we have made within our township,” Murray said in an invited comment on Wednesday.

At this year’s local government polls, the PPP/C garnered approximately 2,464 votes, securing them two seats at the municipality; meanwhile, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) raked in 8,002, securing them 14 seats at the municipality.

In 2018, the PPP/C had garnered 402 votes securing them one seat.

“I feel good about what we have done, it’s a great improvement; we have had over 500 per cent increase in voters,” Murray added.

While the party had hoped to secure more seats at the council, Murray said the massive increase in supporters represents a change in the political climate across the township, which is considered to be an APNU stronghold.

“This is a learning curb [sic] for us and we are learning and we will continue to work with the APNU to see that Linden is first. We are not here to look at who is leading, but we are here to work for the best interest of the people.”

He hopes councillors will work in unison for the residents and the respective communities.

“Lindeners first, development and seeing the vision of One Guyana being manifested …we hope that we don’t have resistance, but we will work with them to see that we get the development for the people of Linden.”

The party has not yet decided who will be the two representatives to sit on the council, However, Murray gave the assurance that those people will lobby for the people, development, accountability, and effective leadership.

Meanwhile, Vice-President and General Secretary, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, has assured citizens that the party will deliver on the promises made during the campaign season.

Dr. Jagdeo, during a press conference, noted that while the PPP/C did not ultimately gain control of the three towns that are historically dominated by the opposition, there were significant gains.

“From Georgetown, New Amsterdam, Linden, Kwakwani, almost every part of this country we have seen either an overwhelming victory for the party, or massive gains in places where we traditionally were not strong.”

While he expects some resistance in these municipalities, the PPP/C he said, will fight for the people.

“We will work for all the people and continue to fulfil promises in the past and the ones we are making now in these local government elections,” Jagdeo said.

In Linden, APNU secured 14 out of 16 seats in the municipality. APNU won all eight constituencies in Linden.

According to Jagdeo, PPP/C saw a 200 per cent increase of supporters in Kwakwani: the party gained three seats on the Neighbourhood Democratic Council.

PPP/C gained 424 votes while APNU gained 528.

Meanwhile, countrywide, the PPP recorded victory in 66 LAAs, while APNU recorded victory in 14 LAAs.