Candidate who faced child molestation allegations returns to APNU slate

…despite party withdrawing support in 2016 LGE

Despite the child molestation allegations and charges that were once levelled against him and the public withdrawal of his party’s support from his candidature in 2016, a surprise name has resurfaced as an A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) candidate – Winston Harding.
Harding was unveiled a few days ago by the APNU themselves as a candidate for constituency #13 (Georgetown-West and East Ruimveldt) for the June 12 Local Government Elections (LGE).
This is despite the fact that in 2016, pressure was brought to bear on the former APNU/Alliance For Change Government by persons and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to remove Harding from his constituency seat after reports arose that Harding had been charged with child molestation.
Harding had at the time refused to resign, with the backing of his constituents. The fallout had even touched the central executive, with then Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence facing intense criticisms after she was quoted referring to the accusations as a “family matter.”
The APNU as a party, had at the time made attempts to distance themselves from Harding. They had issued a statement in which they noted that the accusations of child molestation levelled against their candidate were a grave matter.
“In light of the alleged behaviour of Mr Winston Harding and the pattern of accusations over the years, his candidature cannot be supported at this time. APNU is cognisant of the fact that Mr Harding has not been convicted of any offence, but the gravity and nature of the accusations cannot be ignored or condoned,” APNU had said in their 2016 statement.
It is unclear what would have caused APNU to change its stance on supporting Harding and efforts to contact People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) leader and APNU Chairman, Aubrey Norton, were futile.
APNU is an active participant in LGE 2023, though it is only contesting 260 of the 610 constituencies, while groups and individuals are contesting, outside of those 260 areas, in another 58 constituencies. This means that APNU and other groups or individuals are contesting in a total of 318 constituencies.
Following the April 17 Nomination Day, GECOM had approved the List of Candidates for political parties, individuals, or groups who are contesting the June 12 Local Government polls. GECOM has already announced that there will be no voting in 13 Local Authority Areas (LAAs) because there is no one to challenge the incumbent.
LGE, which is constitutionally due every two years, was last held in 2018. At the last LGE in November of that year, the then People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Opposition had secured 52 of the 80 Local Authority Areas (LAAs). This followed the holding of the LGE in 2016, when the PPP/C had also claimed most of the LAAs.
Already, ranks of the Disciplined Services turned up across polling stations countrywide on Friday last to cast their ballots in the customary early fashion for Local Government Elections 2023.