WITH members of the disciplined forces set to cast their ballots today, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has cautioned them not to be swayed by the opposition’s empty promises and political opportunism, reminding them of the period from 2015-2020 when they were stripped of their benefits.

The General Secretary made these remarks on Thursday during a press conference at Freedom House, Georgetown where he issued a blistering critique of the opposition for their stint in office when they betrayed the soldiers, police officers and their families, whose support they now want.

“One needs to examine track record and credibility when you make these calls and it’s not as though we have a short memory of what took place in the 2015 to 2020 period,” Dr. Jagdeo said as he pointed to the numerous unfulfilled promises by the previous APNU+AFC administration.

A total of 10,481 personnel is listed to vote, with 6,909 from the GPF, 3,106 from the GDF, and 466 from the GPS.

The ranks will vote at designated polling stations across the country, using standard ballot papers corresponding with their registered districts. Those unable to vote on August 22, will be able to participate in the electoral process with the general electorate on September 1.

The Guyana Fire Service (GFS), though part of the joint services, will vote on Elections Day.

While highlighting how the previous David Granger-led government failed to keep the promises made to young people, to lower taxes, enhance welfare, and to support the joint services through better working conditions and expanded benefits, Dr. Jagdeo added: “But the worst thing or the worst act of discrimination was reserved for the members of the disciplined forces.”

He stated that because the previous coalition government had several officials that were members of the joint services, they believed they could have taken the policemen and soldiers and other members of the disciplined forces for granted.

“Jordan said, when he took it (one-month tax free bonus) away, who was the Minister of Finance at that time, said that was a bribe to the members of the disciplined services. That’s his exact words. Norton has embraced fully the Granger administration,” the General Secretary said.

Dr. Jagdeo referenced People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR)’s Aubrey Norton’s suggestion in 2019 that the joint services were better off receiving salary increases, justifying his administration’s removal of the one-month tax free bonus.

Despite these notions, Dr. Jagdeo highlighted the complete U-turn made by the opposition which is now promising betterment to the joint services.

Unlike the opposition, the General Secretary said that not only has the PPP/C government reinstated the joint services’ bonus, but their families are also benefitting from social programmes, especially children, pensioners and those on public assistance.

That one-month tax free bonus currently stands at $2 billion per year, the General Secretary disclosed as he further highlighted that the men and women in uniform also benefitted from salary increases, accelerated promotions and better working conditions.

Dr. Jagdeo said: “The joint services know this. They know it. They know the political party that has kept its promise to them and therefore I have no doubt that many of them will be voting for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic.”