If elections fraud claims true, Jagdeo says PPP will withdraw from Wakenaam race

The Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) is prepared to withdraw from contesting in the Wakenaam Constituency in the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE) if claims that it’s party candidates engaged in electoral skullduggery are proven to be true.

The announcement was made by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo who called for stricter penalties for political parties who engage in fraudulent activities such as forgery during elections time.

There are allegations that some of the persons listed as backing the party have denied endorsing the PPP.

“We are examining that now and if that turns out to be true, we are going to instruct the people on the ground not to contest that area because we will not tolerate it,” he posited.

But he was quick to point out that the only claim against the PPP is in one constituency in a Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) whereas the allegations against the other Parties are much greater.

Jagdeo asserted that these widespread allegations of elections fraud must prompt the country’s elections body to clearly define offences and institute stiffer penalties, especially before the national elections in 2020.

At a press conference at Freedom House Monday, the Party’s General Secretary alleged that the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), the Alliance For Change (AFC), and the United Republican Party (URP) have engaged in fraudulent activities in 42 of the 80 Local Government Areas.

Jagdeo alleged that these parties have forged signatures and tricked people into signing their backers lists which were submitted to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Nominations Day September 21, 2018.

Jagdeo, who is a former president, also accused the other parties of camping out in certain areas to get their backers lists submitted first, because of a benefit that comes with existing electoral laws.

“I think we have to advocate for a change in this law because it is an aberration.”