Two weeks after announcing that he would be accepting a nomination to run for the leadership post of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Basil Williams has pulled out of the race.
Former PNCR Chairman, Basil Williams
On Saturday, the immediate past Chairman of PNCR, who once served as Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister under the APNU/AFC administration, announced that he would no longer be contesting for the party’s leadership post.
Williams had announced his participation in the leadership race after being nominated by members at last month’s Nomination Day. He was nominated to serve in three positions on the PNCR’s Central Executive Committee, including that of the leader.
There are now three candidates in total vying for the PNCR leadership. These are Dr Richard Van West-Charles, Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon and Aubrey Norton.
A missive from Williams announced, “I have examined all the circumstances, and my team and I have decided that we will not engage in the contest at this time.”
This withdrawal was issued on the day when the party’s 21st Biennial Congress was initially slated to be held. The party has rescheduled the Congress for Saturday, December 18, 2021, moving it from December 11 while outlining that this move is in the interest of “ensuring transparency, democracy and fairness to all its members, delegates and officials”.
It has been reported that the postponement is based on a recommendation made by the Chief Election Officer for the Congress, Vincent Alexander, who cited the Accreditation Congress Committee’s lack of preparedness for the event.
Only last month, party members Annette Ferguson, Ganesh Mahipaul and Carol Smith-Joseph had had to step down from the Congress Committee over concerns of conflict of interest. Ferguson and Mahipaul – both APNU/AFC Opposition Members of Parliament – along with Smith-Joseph, had all publicly endorsed candidates who are contesting to become the next PNCR Leader. While Smith-Joseph has thrown her support behind front runner Aubrey Norton, the two parliamentarians are endorsing Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon.
At the time of their stepping down, it was noted that the work of the Committee was significantly advanced and that the withdrawal of the trio would not delay its completion in time for the hosting of the Biennial Delegates Congress.
Mahipaul, moreover, is in the race for the PNCR Chairmanship. Harmon had indicated that if he wins leadership, then he would make Mahipaul the next General Secretary of the PNCR.
There have been mounting concerns over the electoral process of the upcoming congress. Party member Dr Richard Van West-Charles, who is also vying for the leadership post, had previously called for current General Secretary Amna Ally to recuse herself from the post to allow for transparency and accountability in the election process. He had also alleged there were efforts by some to sway the PNCR membership to vote in a particular manner.
Meanwhile, on the sidelines of last month’s Nominations Day proceedings, Candidate Norton had contended that once the rules are followed, there is nothing to be worried about regarding the internal electoral process.
In addition to electing a new leader to replace incumbent leader and former President David Granger, party members would also be voting for a new Chairperson, since incumbent Chair Volda Lawrence will not be contending to retain her post.
Meanwhile, candidates for the chairmanship post include: Christopher Jones, Simona Broomes, Roysdale Forde, Shurwayne Holder and Amanza Walton-Desir.
There has been mounting pressure for Congress to be held to elect new leadership. At the party’s last biennial congress in 2018, Granger was reelected leader for a second time after the post was uncontested.
Stage 1 of the upcoming congress will see elections being held for the Leader, Chairman, Vice Chairpersons and Treasurer. In the second stage, there will be an election for the members of the Central Executive Committee. (G12)
