PPP/C Gov’t wants Local Gov’t Elections – VP Jagdeo

– to be budgeted in 2021

Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has made it clear the PPP/C Government wants Local Government Elections (LGE) which are constitutionally due next year.

This assertion was made during a press conference today in the wake of Opposition allegations that the PPP/C Administration wants to withhold citizens’ rights.

“We want the local government elections; we want to win the local government elections. We want to make sure people have the right to choose their leaders in the local areas. We are going to provide resources to prepare for local government elections but any reasonable person except another criminal to be in charge of the process there… there has to be changes there and somehow that is being misinterpreted as the PPP does not want local government elections,” the VP stated.

Dr. Jagdeo said there will be allocations in the 2021 Budget for the LGE.

Several GECOM officials have been charged with multiple counts of conspiracy to commit fraud and misconduct in public office. This includes Chief Election Officer Mr. Keith Lowenfield and Deputy Chief Election Officer Ms. Roxanne Myers.

The VP said Government expects GECOM Chair, Justice (ret’d) Ms. Claudette Singh to rid the entity of those individuals.

“The whole country knows that there are criminals who tried to steal the elections and put this country through a trauma… they cannot run any elections,” VP Jagdeo reiterated. Dr. Jagdeo stated the Government will be working hard, COVID-19 or not, to improve the lives of people at the local level.