URP adds voice to campaign sabotage fight – says party’s materials replaced by APNU+AFC posters
By Vanessa Narine, April 23, 2015, Source
ELECTIONS campaign materials of the alliance of A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change (AFC) have replaced those belonging to the United Republican Party (URP) at several locations along the coast. URP leader, Vishnu Bandhu, in an invited comment bemoaned the act and stressed that each political party ought to enjoy space in Guyana’s democratic system to be able to make its bid, as effectively as possible, at the upcoming polls.
According to him, the most recent incident was reported in the vicinity of the Demerara Habour Bridge. “Our posters were completely covered by APNU+AFC posters,” he said.
Bandhu added his strong condemnation of such actions.
“Each party must be able to conduct its campaign without having to deal with these kinds of actions,” he said.
The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) continues to make public advertisements that warn against such transgressions. The law governing activities such as removing, damaging or defacing any election campaign material is clear: those acts are criminal.
On a lighter note, when asked about the progress of his party’s campaign to date, the URP leader expressed confidence in being able to secure support.
He stated that the URP over the weekend has held public meetings in Regions 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam) and 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara).
In the coming week, the URP leader said the party’s campaign will be taken to Regions 4 (Demerara/ Mahaica) and 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne).
“We have held a number of bottom-house meetings, but presently we are increasing our presence with the public meetings,” he said.
Bandhu maintains that the URP, whose symbol is a cow’s head, is focused on building a stronger and more supportive education system, providing more support for farmers and instilling good moral values in the citizenry.
The URP will also be campaigning on a number of issues including shared governance, the need for a better health and education system, affordable housing and a new capital in the hinterland, the need for a unified trade union movement and the creation of more and better paid jobs.
Bandhu’s party will be contesting the General and Regional Elections, the latter contest relative to all the regions, except Region 1 (Barima/Waini).
The party which has been resuscitated, was established in March 1985 in the US, but was launched in Guyana in May, 1987 and was formally registered on April 26, 1988. -- (Vanessa Narine)