–claims he is ahead in the race

JUST hours before Guyanese head to the polls, presidential candidate of We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), Azruddin Mohamed announced Tabitha Sarabo-Halley as his running mate.

Sarabo-Halley, who is now with her fourth party in five years, would not be able to engage the electorate in her new role given that all campaigning was halted 24 hours before the polls.

The US-sanctioned Mohamed, however, promised the Guyanese electorate accountability and a better life.

Mohamed was confident in his party’s success and said his campaign has attracted support not only locally but from Guyanese living abroad; with many traveling back home to vote. Without referencing any legitimate poll, he declared that the WIN party was now in the lead heading into the September 1 polls.

Earlier in the day, in a video message, he urged supporters to be peaceful, regardless of political differences, noting: “As the final hours of our vote draws near, I call on every one of you whether you stand with WIN or not, to stand for peace, and for harmony and for the dignity of our democracy.”

Later speaking at the party’s final rally at the Marriot Beach front on Saturday evening, Mohamed, in attempting to get supporters excited, claimed that he is sure his party will be victorious.

“We did the numbers, and we are leading. We will win this election,” Mohamed told supporters, adding that while many of his backers were silent, the momentum on the ground made him confident of victory.

He accused both the “red party” and the “green party” of failing to deliver real change, claiming that citizens were “fed up” with their style of politics.

In outlining his vision, Mohamed, who has announced several times that he is a billionaire, promised a government that would work for ordinary citizens rather than political elites.

He pledged support for single mothers, children, and persons living with disabilities, and said his leadership would emphasise empowerment rather than titles.

“My life is not about a title or rank. My life is about serving you, empowering the people, looking out for our children, and looking out for our single mothers,” he said.

Mohamed also said his government would reduce the cost of living by cutting expenditure in certain areas and investing in local manufacturing and youth development.

He argued that money was available if spending was redirected, but he offered few details on exactly how the wide-ranging programmes would be financed.