PPP activists file Police report after WIN supporters remove party flags in front of Azruddin Mohamed

Activists of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) have filed an official Police complaint after an incident in which supporters of the recently launched WIN party, led by businessman Azruddin Mohamed, were seen pulling PPP flags from a vehicle and throwing them on the ground, which was caught on video.

Guyana’s main elections law, the Representation of the People Act, addresses disorderly conduct at political meetings. It states that anyone who “acts or incites any other person to act in a disorderly manner for the purpose of preventing the transaction of business for which the meeting was called together shall be guilty of an illegal practice.”

The confrontation, which occurred in the presence of Mohamed — who is the WIN party’s presidential candidate — is being described by PPP activists as a “direct provocation and bullyism as seen by associates similar to encounter with GRA”. The supporters are seen in video removing the flags from the vehicle and discarding them on the roadside, while Mohamed was standing nearby.

Mohamed reportedly encouraged his supporters to prevent the PPP activists from carrying out their political work.

The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) recently reminded all political leaders of their duty to set a tone of respect, restraint, and unity before, during, and after the elections. Among other things, it urged political leaders to consistently call on their supporters to refrain from acts of provocation, intimidation, or hostility towards others.

The PPP activists have also filed a complaint with the ERC.