From the Diaspora … REMIND PNC/APNU THEY LOST THE ELECTIONS
By Ralph Seeram
January 8, 2012 | By KNews | Filed Under Features / Columnists, News
Source
GECOM counted the votes of the last elections within two days. That was not quick enough for APNU. The party made this big commotion about GECOM taking too long to declare the results of the elections. After the results were declared the party pulled the usual “we wuz robbed” stunt, and started its own counting.
Trouble is it has been counting for the past month (yes it’s more than a month since elections) and still can’t get it right, even though it is not counting individual ballots– just the Statements of Poll.
After demanding and receiving GECOM’S copy of the SoPs APNU now wants to see the original copies. After that it is going to be another issue. This is the normal behaviour of the PNC after every election since 1992. It was always “we wuz robbed”.
Trouble is the PNC never ever won a fair and free election and never will if it continues with its “bullying” behaviour. Running around Georgetown and threatening the business community is not helping their cause.
APNU is acting as if it holds the power in Parliament. Some of the more radical elements even went as far as to suggest that David Granger be President. Reminder once again, APNU lost the elections.
The current deadlock over the naming the Speaker between APNU and the Alliance for Change should remind APNU who really holds the power in Parliament. APNU in essence does not have any power. The power lies with the Alliance for Change. APNU is powerless in Parliament without AFC cooperation. AFC is beginning to see what it is like to deal with the PNC/APNU.
The AFC request seems reasonable– give the Speaker’s position to it since you will have the Opposition Leader and Chief Whip positions among other perks.
The problem with APNU is it has too many “captains” on the ship; nobody seems to be fully in charge as can be seen in the internal disagreements in naming their representatives to Parliament. If the party cannot agree on internal issues, how can AFC expect agreement on national issues?
The AFC can get better cooperation from the PPP in realizing its agendas than throwing its lot with APNU. The PPP by now should realize that it is not going to get the post of Speaker of the Assembly. If the PPP is smart it should throw the Speaker’s position to the AFC in return for some concessions.
Let’s face it; who would the PPP be more comfortable with Moses Nagamootoo or an APNU nominee? After all, Moses’s problem was not with the PPP it was with Bharrat Jagdeo, and I do believe he will be impartial.
President Donald Ramotar should not have too much expectation of cooperation from APNU. The radical elements in that group will be making demands that the PPP will find unacceptable. I think the PPP will find it easier to cooperate with the Alliance for Change.
While the Speakers position is still unresolved, they have another hurdle to agree on in the form of the new Budget. If Parliament fails to pass the Budget, then we can look forward for elections within the next twelve months. Government cannot run without money. This is going to be the real test whether the politicians will put country above their personal interests or agendas.
The opposition will have to be careful with their demands in the next budget, a deadlock Parliament will find Guyanese going to the polls soon, and I sure the opposition realizes that it is very likely that the PPP will recapture Parliament.
Switching subjects; earlier this week someone emailed me a video clip of evidence of police brutality in Guyana. The video showed an accused thief who was caught by public spirited citizens lying on his back with his hand apparently tied or handcuffed behind his back.
It was obvious that he was in a helpless position, when a policeman in uniform stepped on his chest with his boots, then proceeded to kick the helpless alleged thief in the face with his boots. This action drew a strong protest from the crowd.
The video is clear evidence of how arrogant some members of the police force have become. The new President needs to come out with a strong statement reminding the police that their job is to investigate, arrest and charge and place before the courts. That’s it. Apparently the police forgot that is the courts that decide whether an accused is guilty or not.
Despite many instance of police brutality, I have yet to see or read of a policeman being charged with brutality. Perhaps we may see better results with the new Acting Commissioner of Police. Public confidence in the police is very low.
Ralph Seeram can be reached at email: ralph365@hotmail.com
By Ralph Seeram
January 8, 2012 | By KNews | Filed Under Features / Columnists, News
Source
GECOM counted the votes of the last elections within two days. That was not quick enough for APNU. The party made this big commotion about GECOM taking too long to declare the results of the elections. After the results were declared the party pulled the usual “we wuz robbed” stunt, and started its own counting.
Trouble is it has been counting for the past month (yes it’s more than a month since elections) and still can’t get it right, even though it is not counting individual ballots– just the Statements of Poll.
After demanding and receiving GECOM’S copy of the SoPs APNU now wants to see the original copies. After that it is going to be another issue. This is the normal behaviour of the PNC after every election since 1992. It was always “we wuz robbed”.
Trouble is the PNC never ever won a fair and free election and never will if it continues with its “bullying” behaviour. Running around Georgetown and threatening the business community is not helping their cause.
APNU is acting as if it holds the power in Parliament. Some of the more radical elements even went as far as to suggest that David Granger be President. Reminder once again, APNU lost the elections.
The current deadlock over the naming the Speaker between APNU and the Alliance for Change should remind APNU who really holds the power in Parliament. APNU in essence does not have any power. The power lies with the Alliance for Change. APNU is powerless in Parliament without AFC cooperation. AFC is beginning to see what it is like to deal with the PNC/APNU.
The AFC request seems reasonable– give the Speaker’s position to it since you will have the Opposition Leader and Chief Whip positions among other perks.
The problem with APNU is it has too many “captains” on the ship; nobody seems to be fully in charge as can be seen in the internal disagreements in naming their representatives to Parliament. If the party cannot agree on internal issues, how can AFC expect agreement on national issues?
The AFC can get better cooperation from the PPP in realizing its agendas than throwing its lot with APNU. The PPP by now should realize that it is not going to get the post of Speaker of the Assembly. If the PPP is smart it should throw the Speaker’s position to the AFC in return for some concessions.
Let’s face it; who would the PPP be more comfortable with Moses Nagamootoo or an APNU nominee? After all, Moses’s problem was not with the PPP it was with Bharrat Jagdeo, and I do believe he will be impartial.
President Donald Ramotar should not have too much expectation of cooperation from APNU. The radical elements in that group will be making demands that the PPP will find unacceptable. I think the PPP will find it easier to cooperate with the Alliance for Change.
While the Speakers position is still unresolved, they have another hurdle to agree on in the form of the new Budget. If Parliament fails to pass the Budget, then we can look forward for elections within the next twelve months. Government cannot run without money. This is going to be the real test whether the politicians will put country above their personal interests or agendas.
The opposition will have to be careful with their demands in the next budget, a deadlock Parliament will find Guyanese going to the polls soon, and I sure the opposition realizes that it is very likely that the PPP will recapture Parliament.
Switching subjects; earlier this week someone emailed me a video clip of evidence of police brutality in Guyana. The video showed an accused thief who was caught by public spirited citizens lying on his back with his hand apparently tied or handcuffed behind his back.
It was obvious that he was in a helpless position, when a policeman in uniform stepped on his chest with his boots, then proceeded to kick the helpless alleged thief in the face with his boots. This action drew a strong protest from the crowd.
The video is clear evidence of how arrogant some members of the police force have become. The new President needs to come out with a strong statement reminding the police that their job is to investigate, arrest and charge and place before the courts. That’s it. Apparently the police forgot that is the courts that decide whether an accused is guilty or not.
Despite many instance of police brutality, I have yet to see or read of a policeman being charged with brutality. Perhaps we may see better results with the new Acting Commissioner of Police. Public confidence in the police is very low.
Ralph Seeram can be reached at email: ralph365@hotmail.com