Georgetown – Yesterday, the Alliance For Change ( AFC) met with th Organisation of American States (OAS) Assistant Secretary General, Albert Ramdin and members of his delegation, to explain recent political developments and 2011 election preparations. The AFC, represented by Khemraj Ramjattan, Presidential Candidate, Raphael Trotman, Party Leader, LatchminPunalall, Member of Parliament, and Salaudeen Nausrudeen, Campaign Director, presented the alarming trend that the PPP administration is pursuing the 2011 General Elections.
The recent “cuss down” of the opposition with racial overtones at Babu John as well as the recent order to “shoot to kill” at the Police Annual Convention were fully presented by the AFC as both alarming and dangerous precursors for unrest in an elections year. The AFC explained that such language in an election year is viewed as inciting and outright racist.
The AFC took the opportunity to remind the visiting OAS officials about the media blackout that the AFC have been experiencing and the unwillingness for the PPP administration to ensure that the media space is fair and open.
Asked whether the AFC would like to see the Media Monitoring Unit be established for the upcoming elections, the AFC agreed saying that, “the MMU is critical to the election period and would help to strengthen democratic values.”
Specifically, the AFC brought to the attention the untenable situation concerning its paid ads that are being refused by the state media; non-coverage of its press events; the blockage of a private television station in Linden; and the monopoly of the radio waves.
The OAS was keen on the issue of the funding that was never received for AFC scrutineers; after the PPP and PNC wrangled it away. The OAS noted AFC’s position and pledged to ensure it does not reoccur. While many of its supporters and volunteers understood the circumstances; it was a major injustice to the AFC.
The OAS officials were given copies of the AFC Action Plan to Change Guyana and were apprised of the readiness of the AFC for the 2011 Elections. While the OAS will be sending observer mission for the 2011 General Elections, the AFC expressed it interest in seeing other credible international and regional organizations being present at the elections.
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