THERE must be no attempt, via acts of mischief, to cast doubt on the electoral process, which could result in disruptions; rather there must be transparency and accountability, as well as answers to questions from major stakeholders.The charge made by General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Clement Rohee, at the Babu John memorial for the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan, on Sunday, was met by thunderous cheers of endorsement from thousands.
Transparency and accountability, he stressed, can be supported by public vetting of all polling day staff engaged by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).
“We demand public vetting of everyone who is employed to work on Election Day. We must know who they are because the machinery is critical and important for us. The integrity of counting the vote must not be compromised,” Rohee said.
This is not the first time the PPP General Secretary has appealed for public vetting of the Commission’s staff.
Prior to Sunday, he reasoned that the discrepancies during the 2011 General and Regional Elections, relative to unstamped ballots and voters being misdirected, are what inform the PPP’s position.
“Many persons were frustrated to the point that they decided not to cast their ballots and returned home. GECOM must ensure that if Information Clerks will be employed this time around they are carefully selected and properly trained to function in a neutral manner in the execution of their duties at polling places,” he had said.
GECOM’s senior officials have since expressed confidence in their undertakings, relative to the electoral process, and in the Commission’s ability to conduct free and fair elections.
SIGNIFICANT POLL
Additionally, in what has been dubbed as the most significant poll in Guyana’s political history, the PPP General Secretary, on Sunday, also called for the results of the elections to be declared “as soon as possible” by GECOM.
“There must be no disruption or shedding of doubt about the outcome of the elections in the country. There must be no violence if the PPP wins this election,” the PPP General Secretary stressed.
On that note, he appealed to supporters to recognise the importance of the upcoming elections and turn out to vote.
“Every vote counts,” Rohee appealed.
He questioned why the Guyanese people would sacrifice progress for “backwardness”, a secure future for an insecure one; stability for instability; a government that builds, for a government that breaks; or a strong government for a weak one.
GOOD OVER BAD
“We have to fight to ensure that we win. This election is about good over bad,” the PPP General Secretary said.
He declared that the truth and reality is that Guyana’s progress “hurts” the Opposition, but the incumbent Party has not “lost its sting.”
“We must work and work and work as hard as we can to bring out everyone and keep the spirit of Cheddi Jagan. We must work hard to ensure that what we worked hard for is not lost,” Rohee urged.
The upcoming General and Regional Elections are a mere two months away – May 11. (Vanessa Narine)