…“don’t be deterred by threats”
With just days remaining before Guyanese head to the polls, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) General Secretary (GS) Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has urged supporters to turn out early on Election Day, urging that neither threats nor intimidation from opposition forces should deter them from exercising their democratic right.
Speaking during his weekly press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo revealed that Freedom House has been inundated with calls from supporters across the country, particularly those who now reside in regions different from where they are registered to vote. “A lot of people have been calling; people from Region One who are now in Georgetown and want to go back and vote, or people from Region Three who now have to go to Region Five,” Jagdeo explained, assuring them that logistical support will be provided through activists on the ground and a dedicated WhatsApp line that will soon be announced. He encouraged voters to cast their ballots early in the day and not be swayed by “the usual threats” from the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) camp. “That’s the usual thing. When they see defeat staring them in the face, they always start using threatening language. APNU has done this in its entire history,” Jagdeo said, pointing to the rhetoric of certain candidates aligned with the Opposition. Jagdeo stressed that both the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and the security forces have given assurances that systems are in place to safeguard the integrity of the polls. “We’ve been assured by the security forces that they can deal with any attempt to disrupt the poll. GECOM has stated it’s ready. We are ready as a political party,” he affirmed.
