THERE are signs that the opposition knows that it will lose the upcoming elections. It has already started its whisper campaign to muster support for its cause.
On Friday, opposition leader and APNU presidential candidate Aubrey Norton, WIN presidential candidate Azruddin Mohamed, and FGM presidential candidate Amanza Walton-Desir tried to manufacture all types of fictitious claims when observing the process that was in place for the Joint Services voting.
They ended up admitting that it was generally smooth with minor hiccups.
When that was not successful, we heard from opposition GECOM Commissioner, Desmond Trotman that there were concerns about how the process was unfolding and the dress code of some persons voting as part of the Joint Services.
This follows the constant complaining by the other Opposition nominated Commissioner, Vincent Alexander for months that the Voters List was allegedly bloated, biometrics was necessary before elections and the GECOM process was not conducive to the hosting of fair and free elections.
Aside from that, Christopher Ram and Vishnu Bandhu had filed back in July to successfully bring action against GECOM and the AG to stop the elections because a citizen felt their constitutional rights were being infringed upon.
Similarly, the FGM filed a case in the High Court arguing the same because the Assembly of Liberty and Prosperity (ALP) and FGM were left off the ballots in areas where they were not contesting the elections.
The opposition has in the past four days given the warning signs that PPP is allegedly going to rig the 2025 elections to stay in power without any iota of evidence and proof, and all the while saying out of the side of its mouth it is confident of victory.
Mohamed only recently said he has looked at the “polls” and “numbers” which show him winning. He will not accept defeat.
Firstly, this is typical and normal opposition behaviour within the context of Guyana. At every elections, when it is clear that the opposition will lose, those parties always say that the PPP is going to rig the elections.
This has been happening since 1992. The only time a political party did not say loudly it was cheated was in 2015 when the PPP lost the close elections. The party handled the dictate and very sensitive electoral situation in the country and retreated to opposition.
The PNC-led opposition has never openly conceded or congratulated the winning team on their victory in the last five elections. The opposition has always gone to violence and street protests while stirring the pot of fearmongering among the people. They take advantage of our ethnic insecurities and exploit the electorate.
This opposition seems bound to do the same and Monday next will roll out its plot when it fails. The public should not put anything past Norton, Hughes, Mohamed and Walton-Desir.
Secondly, GECOM must arm itself to be in a position to dispel the chaos and confusion that will be deliberately started by the opposition and social media clan which includes several controversial figures.
They must be proactive, flooding the new media, traditional and social media with replies and clarification to elections issues.
Now is not the time for hiding but now in this election, it is crucial that the public have access to wholesome, true and factual information. The media has a right to the information about elections and electoral processes.
Rigging is done in secrecy traditionally, but we have witnessed boldfaced and open rigging during the last general and regional elections. There must be no room for collusion to rig. Everything must be transparent and GECOM must be accountable to the public, opposition parties, the media and the ruling party.
GECOM must put its communication and information apparatus in overdrive. That is the only way that confidence in the elections will become a reality and to dispel the rumours and allegations.
It would cause the warnings of Norton, and the others to lose their potency as the public would pay them no mind viewing them as contrived controversies and manufactured conflict.
The opposition’s plan of using conspiracy theories to get people worked up will not work. Their appeal to race and ethnicity will be less effective once people know the truth and facts.
Fourthly, the public should pour cold water on the whining of Alexander and Trotman. They should be giving a cold shoulder whenever they raise a non-issue about the elections. They like to attack the voters list but if they win with it, then they quietly run and disappear.
Other political parties, the AG and GECOM know the list is not bloated and have confidence in its ability to deliver credible, free and fair elections.
These commissioners should stop seeking to stir up trouble at GECOM and in the country. The observers are watching, and the world is following.
At the same time, this challenge to the elections brought by ALP and FGM is nonsensical, vacuous and an abuse of the court’s process. I anticipate it will fail in the courts for it has very flimsy and shaky foundation to begin with. These are the people who want to lead this country that cannot understand basic principles and electoral law.
The country would be embarrassed and cringe when it comes up for the attention of the courts.
The opposition is a master at playing a game of diversionary politics. No party is better at this in Guyana. They make one look at one area while it’s party agents and others are involved in elections rigging.
The public must be vigilant and look all around for signs. Norton and the others are too desperate. They could try to rig Guyana’s elections in a modern way using some technological platform or something.
The PNCR has ways and actors that must be watched starting with the Chief Elections Agent or Party Scrutineer, Carol Smith Joseph. This APNU official is far too unruly and wild. She will act up during the process when she learns that her party has lost the next Monday’s election in a massive way.
Mohamed’s words are chilling and dangerous on the other hand. The public should watch him carefully because he has a questionable conduct and is always whining to try to get sympathy on his side.
Finally, the only party that will win, from the perspective of promises, and plans for development is the PPP/C. The party got it right with the manifesto and campaign. They have thus far run a very energetic, lively, issue-based and clean campaign. It showed readiness for the future and the ability to accept the criticism of shortcomings.
The PPP/C understands the mood of the people. It knows how to attract large numbers of people, but it understands the politics of the society. It is not desperate and overconfident. It is a little boastful of its accomplishments but that’s understandable.
Alas, the public and GECOM must be weary of the opposition’s threats to make Guyana ungovernable if it does not win, and let’s be clear, it will not win.