APNU ‘confident in any snap elections’

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has indicated its readiness for snap elections if that be the case in the New Year.  At a press briefing held at the Office of the Opposition leader yesterday, APNU head David Granger said that, “From the mood of the public, the Government is on the back foot and is against the ropes.”
The party, he said, is convinced that “the moral tide has turned against the Government”. When asked about the party’s financial position, it was noted that it was not about money, but the fact that public support has been drifting from the ruling party
“There has been no leadership and no move towards national unity and there has been no change in the quality of Governance.”
Granger said he is confident that the Opposition is more beloved by the population as a whole. When asked about calling elections by bringing a vote of no confidence against the current Administration, it was noted by APNU’s Rupert Roopnarine, that there are outstanding issues in relation to any type of election being called which includes local government elections.
He highlighted that in 2011 there was major dissatisfaction in the running of the GECOM Secretariat. “There are elements of the GECOM Secretariat that we would like to see back off before we can engage in any electoral process.  There is the issue in relation to national elections about the ad-hoc electoral system we continue to use.”
There is a lot of preliminary work to be done before any elections could be held, Roopnarine opined. He called any attempt by the Government to call elections in the new year “an act of extraordinary desperation.”
APNU also noted that there are certain measures that they want to see implemented before any elections are called. Roopnarine related that although the Opposition can pass a vote of no confidence against the Government and force snap elections, the issue does not pertain to finance but the proper electoral system, a ready GECOM Secretariat and local elections that is organized. With the performance of the Government, he noted that it may be much easier than ever for the party to raise what it needs to run an election.
Prior to this, the party had declared its satisfaction as it highlighted that it had forced the administration to behave responsible for the year 2012. APNU point man Joseph Harmon stated that APNU had caused the Government to deliver good governance. He said the government had started off the year in a confrontational and aggressive manner but together with the Alliance for Change, they were able to assert the National Assembly’s authority over the PPP/C Executive.
“The PPP/C refused to accede to a request to establish a tripartite Budget committee and to plan a sensible strategy to promote the Constitutional requirement for inclusionary democracy and national unity.”
As a result of the government not adhering to requirements of the Financial Management and Accountability Act (FMAA), the opposition said it was forced to cut elements of the National Budget that were in clear violation of the FMAA’s requirements for accountability and transparency.
APNU also noted its fierce defence against the administration’s “repeated unwarranted sprint to the courts in defence of the House’s vote of no confidence and motions’ brought to correct what the opposition saw as inaccuracies.
APNU said that for the first time in 20 years, “The official actions of the Executive branch, especially with regard to public finance, have been brought under careful scrutiny.” Individual ministers, they said, have also been made more responsible and accountable.
The party said in the new year they will continue their commitment to ensure vigilance on behalf of the nation and to cause the government to be responsible and accountable.