PEOPLE’S Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Region 5 Representative and Education Minister Priya Manickchand has noted that the party’s campaign materials, such as PPP/C flags, posters and billboards, were completely destroyed, ripped down or tampered with over the last 18 hours throughout Region 5 (Mahaica-Berbice).

“This thuggery and bullyism speaks of intolerance for freedom of expression and association that has no place in a 2015 Guyana. It is reminiscent of an era where persons were jailed and killed for holding and expressing a political view. It comes on the heels of embarrassing displays of disorder exhibited by the PNC/APNU/AFC on Nomination Day where rules were broken and people affected,” Manickchand declared.

BASIC FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS
The Minister at the time was speaking of the recent destruction of campaign materials the PPP/C has faced. She noted that Guyana has come a far way in promoting basic fundamental rights such as the freedom to associate and express oneself but with this behaviour leaves much to be desired.

PPP/C Flags that were previously seen on every post on Milton Street, now only two flags remain

Poster at Linden Junction was completely destroyed

“It would be a crying shame if we were to revert to that dark time when our people were intimidated and bullied for expressing their views.”
She stressed that “citizens and the supporters of the PPP/C are asked to be vigilant against this type of behaviour and are asked to report this unlawful behaviour to the police, GECOM (Guyana Elections Commission) and/or the Party if this is to re-occur.”
However, the Minister emphasised that “supporters are specifically asked not to reciprocate this type of behaviour. This is not what we stand for as a party. Let us use this time to discuss ideas and solutions to our challenges and to craft the best way forward for our beautiful Guyana. We will address this unlawfulness and bullyism with our vote on May 11.”
“On May 11th, we must vote to protect the freedoms we have gained and we must vote specifically to prevent us as a people from returning to that horrible time on our country’s history where bullyism like this was the order of the day. On May 11, we must vote PPP/C,” Manickchand urged all.
During the recent Linden Rally, Minister within the Finance Ministry Bishop Juan Edghill expressed the same sentiments as he told the crowd that the supporters of the PPP/C are a disciplined and well organised group and he was confident that his party’s supporters will not reciprocate such behaviours.
At the same rally, President Donald Ramotar echoed the words of his ministers, noting that he had full confidence that his supporters will not take part in such activities. The President said that this sort of destruction will not budge the stance of the party and urged his supporters to vote solidly on May 11 for the PPP/C. (Rebecca Ganesh)

“This thuggery and bullyism speaks of intolerance for freedom of expression and association that has no place in a 2015 Guyana. It is reminiscent of an era where persons were jailed and killed for holding and expressing a political view.” – Manickchand