GECOM to discuss provocative utterances by APNU/AFC leaders
Election Day protocol
The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is expected to discuss the recent utterances on the campaign trail by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) candidates, where they called on supporters to “protect their ballots”.
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The issue was raised with GECOM via a letter written by former Attorney General and People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) candidate, Anil Nandlall. On Wednesday, GECOM Chair Retired Justice Claudette Singh wrote to Nandlall and informed him that the issue would be discussed when the elections body meets on February 4.
Disturbed at utterances
In his letter, Nandlall outlined that the PPP/C is gravely disturbed at the utterances of several of the candidates on the coalition government’s list. He explained that they have been utilising their political platforms to encourage the assembly of their supporters at polling places after the polls close.
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He singled out a number of candidates who have been encouraging supporters to “protect their ballot”, and among those names are People’s National Congress (PNC) Chairperson Volda Lawrence, Finance Minister Winston Jordan, Attorney General Basil Williams and former Guyana Defence Force Chief of Staff, Gary Best.
The PNC Chairperson, at a public meeting in Kitty, Georgetown, on January 19, told supporters: “When 6 o’clock hit, comrades, you supposed to already have your bath and put on your nightshift clothing…You understand what I am saying, comrades? This is not a time for sleeping…They must not catch us sleeping on the job. Comrades, at 6 o’clock, you return to work at the places of polling and you will remain out there and let our staff inside know that you’re out there…And then our nice strong men will be mobilised to follow that ballot box until it goes into that container and the APNU/AFC padlock and chain is placed on that container…”
![](https://guyanatimesgy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Volda-150x150.jpg)