Nandlall tells protesters that PPP is working to ‘right the wrongs’

Thousands gathered at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara expressing their dissatisfaction with the way the Guyana Elections Commission is handling the process following the March 2 polls.

Their grouse stemmed from the issues surrounding the declaration of the Region Four votes, which gave the governing APNU+AFC coalition victory after the PPP seemed on course for a win following the disclosure of the other nine regions.

It must be noted however that GECOM has not declared a winner of the elections.

Members of the Guyana Police Force started to assemble even before the protest action started, and as the numbers grew, so did the presence of the lawmen who had their work cut out in maintaining order on the East Coast main thoroughfare.

Wooden lantern posts and the nearby stalls from the market were placed across the roadway, blocking traffic which had to be diverted to the Railway Embankment.

PPP members Anil Nandlall, Sheila Veerasammy, Norman Whittaker, Peter Ramsaroop and Bheri Ramsaran descended on the scene and they all encouraged the party supporters to exercise caution and engage in peaceful protest.

Nandlall told the gathering that the party’s leadership is working to right the wrongs that have been committed, noting that they are in discussion with several international bodies.

The former Attorney General also urged the supporters to remain calm and vigilant.

The protesters were adamant the country’s elections body had acted in an unprofessional manner by allowing the declaration of the Region Four votes without verification, thereby putting the APNU+AFC Coalition in the lead.

A huge sign calling for democracy was mounted on the huge cup, the party’s symbol, which was mounted on the side of the roadway.

“Today is a fight for democracy,” one young man told News Room.

“Why hasn’t GECOM answered to us? What hasn’t Lowenfield answered to us? Why hasn’t Claudette Singh answered to us?”

In a statement on Friday, the PPP called on its supporters “to remain calm and act in a peaceful manner during this period.”

Several international organisations and election observer mission teams have condemned the process, something the PPP said it totally agrees with.