Presidential debates in limbo as PPP refuses to partake in Prime Ministerial leg
By Abena Rockcliffe
It seems as if the electorate would be deprived of the benefit of Presidential debates in the run up to
APNU+AFC’s
Dr. Rupert Roopnarine
next month’s General and Regional elections. This is because of the incumbent People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s (PPP/C) refusal to partake in Prime Ministerial debates which is the coalition’s (A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change) only requirement for its participation in the Presidential debates.
Dr. Rupert Roopnarine of APNU+AFC told the media yesterday that the coalition is very much interested in participating in Presidential debates. However, he said that the coalition also wants a Prime Ministerial debate.
The Private Sector Commission (PSC) has undertaken to facilitate the holding of the Presidential debates and this was agreed upon by the two major political forces—PPP and APNU+AFC.
Dr. Roopnarine told the media that the coalition met with the PSC and informed them that while APNU+AFC is enthused to participate in Presidential debates, such participation is based on the holding of Prime Ministerial debates.
“We (APNU+AFC) will be happy to engage in Presidential debates, but those debates must come after Prime Ministerial debates…but we haven’t heard from the promoters (PSC) of the debate as to whether this is something that has been accepted. We have said that we are prepared, providing that it (Presidential debates) is preceded by Prime Ministerial debates.”
When asked if APNU+AFC would refrain completely from debates if Prime Ministerial debates are
PSC Chairman,
Ramesh Persaud
not on the table, Dr. Roopnarine responded with uncertainty.
“What I can tell you is that if we get an answer that says there will be no Prime Ministerial debate then we will have to reconsider our participation in the Presidential debate. I don’t rule it out but it would present a new situation,” said Dr. Roopnarine.
The politician said that APNU+AFC places a great deal of importance on the holding of Prime Ministerial debates as the importance and significance of the Prime Minister is also immense.
“We must understand the importance of the Prime Minister…it is also a case of shared authority so we want to ensure that the Prime Ministerial candidates get a chance to express themselves,” said Dr. Roopnarine.
David Patterson, who was also a member of the panel addressing the press conference at which Dr. Roopnarine spoke, added, “The Prime Minister is a heartbeat away from being the President so in the interest of completeness we should hear from them as well.”
When Kaieteur News spoke to the Chairman of the PSC, Ramesh Persaud yesterday, he indicated that the PPP has since signaled that it is not willing to partake in Prime Ministerial debates.
Judging from what was conveyed by Persaud, little is known as to whether any of the debates will be
APNU+AFC Presidential Candidate David Granger
held. He said that APNU+AFC will now have to say if it will go ahead with the debates.
Persaud also indicated that the Commission compiled a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and sent it to the PPP and APNU+AFC. He explained that the MOU is a draft and can be altered. But basically the present content of the MOU surrounds the rules of the debates, suggested venue, time frame and possible topics.
Persaud refused to divulge further specifications on the MOU and said that he will not do so unless it has been signed by both parties.
He noted that the only communication the PSC had with the political parties on this issue since the MOU was sent, was acknowledgment of receipt.
Elections are to be held in 30 days.
Guyana has been changing quite a few things on the political scene to match-up with the policies of certain developed countries.
For instance, there have been amendments to the constitution barring a President from holding office for more than two terms. That was patterned after the United States of America (USA).
Debates are big as well in the USA whenever there are elections.
During presidential elections in the United States, it has become customary for the main candidates (almost always the candidates of the two largest parties, currently the Democratic and the Republican Parties) to engage in debates. The topics discussed are often the most controversial issues of the time, and arguably
PPP Presidential Candidate, Donald Ramotar
elections have been nearly decided by these debates. Candidate debates are not constitutionally mandated, but it is now considered a de facto election process. The debates are targeted mainly at undecided voters; those who tend not to be partial to any political ideology or party.