Georgetown: People’s Progressive Party (PPP) presidential candidate Mohamed Irfaan Ali said he is not operating under the shadow of PPP General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, if the party is successful in the 2020 elections.
On the matter of his qualifications, Ali was asked what he would say to persons now who still have doubts about his qualifications.
“I have already made it very clear. I have addressed this issue. I think I have addressed this issue conclusively,” he said.
Several aspects of Ali’s qualifications have come under question. Earlier this year, he was forced to upload several certificates to be circulated on social media. He had also during that period, held a press conference at the Opposition Leader’s office where he was swarmed by the media corps.
In October, it was revealed that Ali was listed as a graduand for a Doctorate of Philosophy from the University of the West Indies (UWI).
Despite this, it was brought to Ali’s attention that there may still be doubts lingering, even among his own supporters. In response, Ali said “I don’t know what is lingering.” He added that he knows for sure that he is qualified.
Jagdeo, by his side, posited that the issue will linger for some time, because it is his belief that the APNU+AFC is going to “spread lies to disparage our candidate.”
Ali went on to state that he refuses to be dragged into “gutter politics” and that he is only interested in focusing on policies and programmes.
Asked how he would ensure he stays independent, instead of shepherded by Jagdeo, Ali said that he will surely be the leader of the team.
He explained that the collective success of the PPP as a government would depend on how effectively the team works and achieves results.
“If there are issues, ultimately, I am responsible… And I can assure you that I’m independent and my position will be independent in the collective… with the collective.”
He did not provide, as asked, any safeguards to ensure he keeps the leadership role.
“In terms of safeguards, I don’t see how it’s linked to my independence as an individual or leading a cabinet. The fact is that Mr. Jagdeo is the General Secretary of the PPP. He is also an asset…that will be used in Government. So he’ll be part of the team.”
Even then, he revealed that Jagdeo will lead the list of candidates for the PPP, as the General Secretary has always held that post.
“I am very clear on my ability to lead… I want to say to you that [Jagdeo leading the list] does not pose any threat or an issue.”
Ali added that if the team does not perform well, or if there are individuals who are weak, then “of course, as a leader, you have to make decisions. And that decision lies in myself as President.
Meanwhile, Jagdeo on Monday said his party wants the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to conduct another round of house-to-house verification in a last ditch effort to find 6,534 registrants before the final voters’ list is prepared.
“There could be a process of revisiting them before the OLE (Original List of Electors) comes out so they would be on the Revised Voters’ List but once the re-verification takes place…and then have those either removed, or if they are non-existent or remain on the revised voters list,” he told a news conference.
Jagdeo said he would be hard-pressed to see how GECOM Chairman, Claudette Singh could agree with the three pro-governing coalition election commissioners that the names of those not found should be included in the final voters’ list without them being verified as located at the addresses they had given during registration in July and August, 2019. “We would find it very unusual that the Chair would vote to embark on a process for verifying the 16,000 names and then seek to include names that are unverified because the purpose of the exercise would have been defeated so we are awaiting official notification of this matter because there seems to be some confusion surrounding it,’ he said.
The Opposition Leader recommended that the 6,500-odd registrants be included in the Revised List of Electors, which would be posted up at public places for another round of scrutiny, and then be subjected to another house-to-house check before the final voters’ list is produced.
The PPP General Secretary said hundreds of persons registered at addresses of “empty lots” were available and could be made available to the media.
General and regional administrative council elections are scheduled for March 2, 2020.
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