PM rubbishes opposition leader’s suggestion to contract elections out to Intl’ bodies

DPI, Guyana, Saturday, September 8, 2018

“The last five elections have been supervised and this is the only time we are hearing this absurd assertion of No-Confidence in Guyanese by Mr. Jagdeo.”

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo shared this view when asked his opinion on the statements made by the Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo at his weekly press conference last Thursday. The Oppositon Leader has been quoted as saying “maybe elections should be outsourced to international bodies”.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo noted that the Constitution outlines the manner in which elections should be conducted in Guyana and these Laws and representation of the People’s Act guide the conduct of elections.

The Prime Minister noted that “there have been no complaints except recently and halfheartedly about the 2015 elections.”

“The United Nations, the Commonwealth, the United Kingdom, the Parliamentary group, the Organisation of American State (OAS), the Carter Centre, they have all observed the elections in Guyana and that has been the pattern in the world. Elections are observed by International Organisations in order to be deemed credible, free and fair and that has been applicable in Guyana since 1992,” PM Nagamootoo said.

During his press conference, the opposition leader said the assistance of international bodies, would allow for credible elections with just oversight from Guyanese.
Prime Minister Nagamootoo underscored that there is no merit in the opposition leader remarks and noted that “he is trying to make Guyana a laughing stock”.

The Prime Minister emphasised that “this is a democracy, Guyana boasts of a Parliamentary Multi-Party parliamentary democracy and he [opposition leader] is trying to portray to the world that this country is under some military or totalitarian rule. It is an insult to Guyana!”

Gabreila Patram
Image: Department of Public Information