| …as Elections race begins in earnestEight political parties submitted their Lists of Candidates to the Chief Elections Officer, Gocool Boodoo, at City Hall, yesterday, thus the stage has officially been set for Regional and General Elections come November 28, with the Alliance for Change (AFC), A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the incumbent People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), still clearly representing the main contenders.The United Force (TUF), Fundamental Structure Group (FSG), Horizon and Star, Guyana United Muslim Party and East Berbice Development Association,Wholesale Jerseys 2017, are the other aspirants that made submissions.The three major parties submitted the maximum 21 Lists of Candidates, comprising a National Top-Up List; Geographical Lists for Regions 1-10 and Regional Lists for the ten administrative regionsThe PPP confirmed that it submitted 435 candidates for the General and Regional Elections, and its Presidential Candidate, Donald Ramotar, who arrived with a large and colourful entourage just as the clock struck 14:00hrs, told media operatives that the show of support he witnessed yesterday was a source of great confidence.“It gives me great enthusiasm to continue the work.”Dispelling widespread speculation,Jerseys NFL China, current Head of State Bharrat Jagdeo is not on the PPP/C List of Candidates and he subsequently told the assembled media that he was not interested in a term in the parliament but would assist his party in other ways.Jagdeo opined that he could help the new government in different capacities adding that, “I don’t plan to take any parliamentary seats….I think I learnt a lot from Mr. Hoyte.”Speaking to his specific role in the new government should the PPP/C win, the president said that this decision would be made following the upcoming election.He did point out, however, that there have been no promises made to anyone as it relates to parliamentary seats or ministerial positions,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, advisors or others.The next large party to provide the Chief Elections Officer with its lists was the AFC.The party arrived with fanfare and noticeable at the front of the pack was Moses Nagamootoo who just a few days ago resigned from the PPP/C where he was a Central Committee Member.Only minutes earlier, Nagamootoo came in for significant flak from former party members, but he was joyfully embraced and congratulated by AFC supporters.Presidential Candidate of the AFC, Khemraj Ramjattan,Cheap NFL Jerseys, upon his contingent’s arrival, told eager media operatives that he and his team were wholly confident about the party’s upcoming bid at the polls.According to Ramjattan, his party’s list is a very powerful one that comprises persons who are decent and possess a great deal integrity and morality.Speaking to Nagamootoo’s addition to the team, Ramjattan said, “it’s all the more encouraging…we are going to win this election with Moses on the platform.”According to Ramjattan, the contingent that accompanied the leadership of the party to present its list was,Stitched NFL Jerseys, “real bolstered up…they want to win this thing and they feel encouraged by the crowds that have turned up and the persons we have on the list.”Ramjattan said that the party still has many more plans that are falling into place.HE IS NOT IN MY CLASSNagamootoo,Wholesale NBA Jerseys, who was for a period the man of the moment given the heat he has been facing as a result of his departure from the PPP/C, said that he would not dignify the castigation by the President with a response, “he is not in my class.”As it relates to the Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee and his attacks on Nagamootoo, including calling him a hypocrite, the newest AFC member said that he pities Rohee and that his attacks, too, did not warrant more of a response.Nagamootoo said that he was not thin-skinned and that labels do not hurt in politics, drawing reference to the fact that one of this century’s greatest leaders, South Africa’s Nelson Mandela, was once labeled a terrorist.He said that when Mandela was elected to office people quickly realised that terrorism as a label is not one that could be attached to one who is filled with integrity, “and those who have the interest of their people at heart.”Nagamootoo reminded that the late Cheddi Jagan was also labeled.“Leaders all over the world are called names when they do not serve narrow interests, particularly vested in corrupt interest.”He said that he was not worried about labels being attached to him but rather he was more worried that those sharing the labels should have been sharing much more with the Guyanese people, “than globe-trotting and extravagance and corruption and all the greed that they have bestowed upon this land.”The AFC member said that the administration has brought the country to a state of disgrace and, “we have to wrest this country from its inept stage and take it to a higher level.”Meanwhile, also under the AFC umbrella was the embattled former leader of The United Force Valerie Garrido-Lowe who stated that she did what she felt she had to do for the betterment of the Guyanese people.Speaking to Manzoor Nadir’s position that she is no longer a member of the party or its leader, Lowe retorted, “he could say anything he wishes,” adding that she promotes freedom of speech.As far as Lowe is concerned her move saw a merging of the TUF and the AFC, given that it is with TUF’s support that she signed on to the AFC.The TUF, however, had its lists submitted to GECOM by the daughter of the former Party Leader, Marissa Nadir. She did this in the company of the faction that was clearly in support of her father, including Chairman Ismail Muhammad.“Nadir is a PPP first of all…he has no right to try to take the TUF from its people!” Garrido- Lowe stated emphatically.REAL GRASSROOTS SUPPORTA Partnership For National Unity arrived late in the afternoon and clearly overwhelmed the Police and City Constabulary officials as their exuberant following invaded the compound.Presidential Candidate David Granger said that the support which was evident, clearly illustrated the positive energy with which they are entering this round of elections.He stressed that they have worked very hard to reach all of their constituents in the preparation of their list while emphasising that there are now nine parties in the coalition and that they are very satisfied with their List of Candidates.“We are very satisfied that we have maintained our objective of ensuring that there is wide balance.”He said that it is clear that the APNU has been able to generate the momentum, “it’s not just a flash in the pan, this is real grassroots support.” |
