Nov 14 Press Release from APNU

PRESS STATEMENT

BY

A PARTNERSHIP FOR NATIONAL UNITY

Monday 14 November 2011, APNU Secretariat

SUMMARY:

• A.P.N.U reiterates its commitment to strictly adhere to the Code of Conduct signed by its Presidential Candidate and registers its disappointment at the deafening silence of GECOM in relation to these violations by the PPP/C;
• The hurried appointment of Sita Ramlall as Solicitor General;
• A.P.N.U is receiving overwhelming support at its Public Meetings and Rallies.

THE PPP/C COULD NOT WAIT FOR THE INK TO DRY BEFORE INFRINGING THE CODE OF CONDUCT FOR POLITICAL PARTIES

Since the signing of the Code of Conduct, amid much pomp and ceremony, on Friday 11^th November 2011, violations of the Code are being almost routinely committed by the PPP/C.

So far, GECOM has not seen it fit to pronounce on these infringements.

First, there was the distribution of leases for land by Robert Persaud and Regional Chairman Ali Baksh, accompanied by officers of Lands and Surveys, to citizens of the Essequibo and Pomeroon on the very afternoon of the signing. This action, on the eve of the elections, is in flagrant violation of Section III, subsections v. and vi. of the Code:

III (v): Our party pledges not to employ the use of State machinery/vehicles/equipment/personnal for the furtherance of our Party’s interest.

III (vi): Our party pledges to ensure that no bribes whether monetary or compensatory are paid to prospective voters.

On the night of Saturday 12^th November 2011, activists of the PPP/C led by Kwame McCoy were seen defacing posters of A.P.N.U at Durban and Chapel Streets. This action by McCoy and his crew was in direct violation of Section II, subsection v of the Code:

II (v): Forbid all actions aimed at defacing, besmirching, obscuring, destroying, damaging or altering any poster, notice or other campaign materials of other Political Parties.

When accosted by activists of A.P.N.U, an altercation ensued during which McCoy resorted to violence, gun-butting a young man in the head. The injured A.P.N.U supporter was rushed to the Public Hospital where he was treated and kept until 4:00 am before being released. This matter has been reported to the police. This resort to threatening behavior and violence was in violation of

II (ii): Forbid the use of abusive, slanderous or threatening language, or language which could incite people of one group to violence against any Candidate, Agent, member and supporter of any other group.

A.P.N.U reiterates its commitment to strictly adhere to the Code of Conduct signed by its Presidential Candidate and registers its disappointment at the deafening silence of GECOM in relation to these violations by the PPP/C.

We remind the GECOM that, as stated in the final Section VII of the Code, “Our Party pledges to recognize the duties and functions of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) relative to the resolution of any matters pertaining to this Code of Conduct. We, therefore, expect that if GECOM receives complaints, it will investigate the complaints immediately and take the necessary and appropriate steps to deal fairly with the complaints.”

THE HURRIED APPOINTMENT OF MS SITA RAMLALL AS SOLICITOR GENERAL

It is a matter for public concern that, since the Judicial Service Commission has been without a Quorum, Ms. Sita Ramlall, shortly after the dismissal of the case against her by the Magistrate, was hurriedly appointed to the long vacant post of Solicitor General.

The people of Guyana need to be informed, in the absence of a constituted Judicial Service Commission, which body had the authority to approve her appointment?

CAMPAIGN UPDATE

A Partnership for National Unity (A.P.N.U) continues to be on the move. Last Saturday (12^th November 2011) thousands gathered at the Peter Ramnauth Square in Bartica, Region #7 for a Grand Rally. A.P.N.U Presidential Candidate, Brigadier (ret) David Granger, Prime Ministerial Candidate, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, Dr. George Norton, young George Bulkan, and Annette Ferguson were speakers at the Rally. Former Member of Parliament, Ms. Judith David-Blair did a fine job as the chairperson of the Rally. The speeches were interspersed with cultural items. Prior to the Rally, A.P.N.U supporter marched around Bartica to the Rally site.

This week we will be holding three Rallies. On Thursday 17^th November, there will be a Rally at Queenstown on the Essequibo Coast, Region #2; on Friday 18^thNovember at New Amsterdam, Region #6; and on Saturday 19^th November at Mahdia, Region #8.

Meanwhile, our caravans and motorcades around Georgetown continue to be well received by the public. On Sunday 13^thNovember, the Presidential Candidate was received by a tumultuous welcome in the South Ruimveldt area.

On Sunday 13^th November, Leader of the PNCR, Mr. Robert Corbin spent the day in Region #6 at a public meeting at Stanleytown. No doubt, it is clear that A.P.N.U is receiving overwhelming support.