Media Release
Thursday, March 5th, 2015
APNU+AFC condemns Rohee for attempting to intimidate youth vote
GEORGETOWN – APNU+AFC rejects and dismisses the condemnations and protestations of the PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee with regard to the Guyana Elections Commission working with the Guyana National Youth Council in an effort to encourage young people to vote at the May 11 General and Regional elections.
“The right to vote is a constitutional one and Mr. Rohee condemning an effort to encourage young people to exercise their franchise is disturbing and bizarre,” said APNU+AFC Campaign Co-Chairman Raphael Trotman.
Guyana National Youth Council and their financiers have every right to execute a campaign to sensitize young people, who, in many instances, are first time voters. The campaign is designed to educate young voters of the need to vote and be part of the democratic process of selecting a government of their choice.
Therefore Rohee’s call can only be interpreted as an attempt to silence the voice of young people. It has become obvious that the beleaguered PPP is afraid of the voice of young people who have had enough of their mismanagement and corruption. Young people have no confidence in another PPP government and Mr. Rohee and Freedom House are well aware of this and seem to be employing subversive means of intimidation in attempting to cow young voters from casting their ballot.
Further GECOM is a constitutional body that is insulated from political interference and bullying of the likes of Rohee and Freedom House and it is free to make its own arrangements to fulfill its mandate.
APNU+AFC joins with GECOM and GNYC in encouraging the young people of Guyana to join with all eligible electors and vote on May 11 for the party of their choice. APNU+AFC is confident that the young people of Guyana will overwhelming choose change.
Finally APNU+AFC explicitly supports the efforts of the GNYC and all other organizations and agencies engaged in sensitizing young people about the need to vote and stands ready to offer whatever support may be required in this regard.