THE People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is dissatisfied with the manner in which the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has addressed some of its issues.
PPP/C Campaign Manager Robert Persaud made this disclosure on Friday during a press briefing convened at Freedom House on Robb Street, where he expressed that party’s disappointment over GECOM’s decision to appoint the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) as an observer group for the upcoming elections.
He contended that an apparent endorsement of an opposition candidate by a GPSU executive has rendered the GPSU unsuitable to be an observer group.
Persaud said: “We have reiterated our disappointment in GECOM for allowing GPSU to be an elections observer, given the reason we have stated in terms of the GPSU making it quite clear its political preference. We were not given an explanation; in fact, we received no response from GECOM other than to read in the newspaper that GPSU has been accredited (with observer status).”
According to Persaud, the PPP/C considers this move an “insult” and an “affront” to their concerns.
Persaud had written GECOM Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally in October, pointing out a newspaper report in which GPSU General Secretary Deborah Murphy was quoted as describing APNU candidate David Granger as “our David Granger,” while referring to the administration as “the government.”
Her statements were made at the GPSU’s 19th Biennial Delegates’ Conference, held at the National Cultural Centre on Wednesday, September 28.
Minister Persaud, who as an Executive Committee member of the PPP signed the letter directed to Dr Surujbally, added that Murphy’s “proclamations and enthusiasm” for Granger’s candidacy reflected the attitude of the general membership of the GPSU.
In reiterating his dissatisfaction at GECOM’s response to this and other concerns, Persaud said: “That incident seems to be part of a pattern. GECOM seems only to be putting greater emphasis on the concerns expressed by the opposition. Our concerns, it seems, are being treated in a very insignificant way; and as a stakeholder, we demand of GECOM to treat us fairly.”
He declared that the incumbent party was not asking any favours of GECOM in this regard. Rather, the party was petitioning to be treated respectfully, and for its concerns to be addressed in a manner equal to what any other party enjoys.
He said, “We see how quickly (to respond) GECOM is when the opposition or others raise issues: they convene meetings and they call them in and they make statements. When we have concerns, sometimes we are not even afforded the opportunity of an acknowledgement, and I think that is something that GECOM needs to correct, and to correct very quickly. The GPSU matter is just an example.”