-amid claims of irregularities
Incumbent Robert Corbin was re-elected leader of the PNCR last evening, following polls at the party’s 16th Biennial Congress that were attended by numerous claims of irregularities.
Robert Corbin
Corbin won overwhelmingly, securing 614 votes to the 223 that were cast for his sole challenger Winston Murray, who accepted the results but stated that he was disappointed and would need time to reflect on his future. “Yes, I am prepared to accept the results,” he said shortly after the announcement, explaining “Because the margin is so wide, that even if there were – as I believe there were – flaws in the process and irregularities in the procedures, it is clear that Mr Corbin would have won.”
In a brief statement, Corbin said he was grateful to God and thankful to the people for displaying confidence in him. “I would much prefer to speak a bit later when the entire elections are over because this is not about one person, this is about the team and about the PNCR coming out the winner,” he declared.
The announcement of Corbin’s victory triggered cheers among a small crowd of his supporters, while groups of other persons who were disappointed filed out of Congress Place. In the vote for leader, 847 votes were cast from an official list of 1175 delegates.
Up to press time, the voting process for other party offices, including Chairman and Vice-Chairman, was still underway. Earlier, Corbin’s supporters directed delegates to vote for party stalwart Cammie Ramsaroop as Chairman of the party, and Basil Williams and Dr George Norton for the two Vice-Chairman posts.
Murray demurred on the question of his own future, adding that he did not want to sound a sore loser since, “As of now I remain a member of the PNCR,” as of now, I remain a Member of Parliament and I will have to take time to contemplate [my political future], it is not something I would be rushed into,” he said, adding later, “I have to allow some time to pass, let the dust settle and then determine where I go.”
He thanked his supporters for their work, saying “I really, really appreciate it but we didn’t pull it off,” while they thanked him for his candidacy and his conduct throughout the process.
Winston Murray
While Murray emphasised that he did not want to take issue public with the results, he noted the claims by his supporters that one region in particular turned in very inflated membership. One of his major backers, Dr Richard Van West-Charles, who bowed out of the race for leader to support Murray, noted that concerns about some of the flaws in the procedures had gone unanswered, adding that it could have been more efficient to guard against problems during registration and the voting.
Voting began nearly five hours after the scheduled start owing to problems during the registration of delegates, which had first been manifested on the days before the official opening.
There were numerous claims of disenfranchisement during and after registration for delegates yesterday, including by many members from hinterland regions 1, 7 and 9, who were only allowed to attend as observers rather than delegates. Similar complaints were made by persons from other regions as well.
Tempers flared between Corbin and Murray’s supporters in front of the registration centre at the start of the day, as persons lined up to collect their delegate and observer ID cards. The arrival of a contingent of Corbin supporters from regions 4 and 5, who were bussed in, led to confusion as people claimed that ID cards were being handed out in wads before any of them completed their registration. According to the official guidelines for the registration, persons were supposed to go to the centre and sign to uplift cards.
Stabroek News observed some persons handing over what appeared to be delegate cards to others outside the registration centre, even as automatic delegates complained that their names were not on the official register. Among those who were not recognised as delegates was PNCR MP Judith Blair, who should have been an automatic delegate. However, she was told that her name was not on the delegates’ list. A national candidate for the party, GTUC President Gillian Burton, was also supposed to be an automatic delegate but her name was not on the list and she was later accredited as a delegate belonging to the Agricola group.
One man showed this newspaper a delegate card for a person whom he claimed was dead. He explained that he was told at the registration centre that his name was not on the list of delegates and after calling a regional representative he was then given a card with someone else’s name.
The card appeared to be an official delegates’ card with both an identification number as well as the signature of Convenor of the Accreditation Committee Lance Carberry.
Later, during the voting process, several persons expressed concern that multiple voting occurred and even before the ballots were counted large groups of people filed out of Congress Place.
This was expected. The election was rigged.. From the beginning it was designed that way. The list was padded from the beginning. Sad day for the coconut tree, dont worry you can use de husk.
Can someone say if there is an existing database (computerized) of the participants of this week-end’s People’s National Congress? Telephone Numbers and e-Mail Addresses included.
Moderator: What has happened to the posts that were sent before 6:52 a.m.? I think your inability to plan ahead for he day when traffic would become great has swamped your system. No one can adequately read 500 blogs in a short time and determine their suitability for posting. What ever happened to the message that informed if a post was awaiting moderation? I think it should be reintroduced.
O lord! Here we go again! Another rigged election! I tell you, if there was no AFC, I would be weeping blood for Guyana today, but there is hope. Thank God for the AFC!
Close ranks “Internet Generals”; and, let the “international battle for change” continue and spread throughout Guyana.
“Alutha Continua – The struggle continues!!! Amandla”!
It’s time for Murray, VanWest Charles, Ming, Phillips, Singh et al to form a new political that will benefit all Guyanese.
gap1 says:
August 23, 2009 at 1:20 pm
O lord! Here we go again! Another rigged election! I tell you, if there was no AFC, I would be weeping blood for Guyana today, but there is hope. Thank God for the AFC!
Gap, you think Van West, Murray, Norton, Backer and Team Alexander will now throw their unconditional support behind the KEY to Guyana’s future: the AFC? After all, if the goal was to reform and rebuild the PNC away from Corbin’s failed leadership, it won’t make sense for these people to return to business-as-usual with Corbin and the PNC.
Re: “It’s time for Murray, VanWest Charles, Ming, Phillips, Singh et al to form a new political that will benefit all Guyanese…”
Wrong strategy. “Murray, Van West Charles, Ming, Phillips, Singh et al…” need to now consolidate their gains and await support from the “Internet Generals” to move on to total victory for the real PNC.
Would Trotman step aside and let Murray lead the AFC party?
Murray will certainly bring ligitamacy to the AFC. People might start taking them seriously. With Murray, Van West Charles, Ming, Phillips, Singh, The AFC might even become a formidable contender come 2011. They would get my vote.
Moderator:
Why don’t you do a better job at moderating. You need to administer these threads more responsibly. Can you not see that some bloggers are not responding to the the original plogger’s post. They just want to get their post on the top of page 1. Their response requires starting a new thread.
Please state what your policies of replying to a thread are if any. Every blogger needs to start a new thread if not replying directly to another blogger’s post. It has become very difficult to follow a thread.
Please pay equal attention to the contents of the thread as you you do to editing and deleting comments.
Re: “Can someone say if there is an existing database (computerized) of the participants of this week-end’s People’s National Congress? Telephone Numbers and e-Mail Addresses included….”
In this way an exit poll can be conducted as to who got theirs votes; and, the reasons why they got them.
How about Stabroek News (SN) undertaking this role in association with the Carter Center in Atlanta – eh!
stop complaining, the moderator is doing a fine job, hate when he uses the AXE.
a defunct phencee, job well done crabin, you and you alone can now challenge the PPP, good luck to you my boy.
you will always be the opposition.
One additional thing…. How about “Bringing It On” to the “Internet Generals” – We Are At The Ready And Waiting To Help Bridge The “Internet Divide” And To Help “Empower” The Masses!
And, any “dude” that is a Member of Guyanese Parliament that does not know that the “economic, educational, military… strategies” of the Administration led by the late L. F. S. Burnham were/are “far superior” than any other political party in Guyana is no match for the “Internet Generals”. “Bring It On” (the debates, the internet voting for overseas based Guyanese, the tests for the “competency” skills… or whatever) from this this “dude” and the “PPP” together (the cowards) and let us meet at the Guyana National Stadium or at the Madison Square Garden any day.
Dandy Andy, I don’t think the AFC needs these people. For the most part the AFC represents fresh leadership that resisted the racial voting pattern in Guyana, that embrace demoracy and all the democractic processes, a clean break from Guyana’s past.
Too many of these guys represent exactly what the membership and the supporters of the AFC is trying to get Guyana away from. Only months ago, Norton was insisting that the PNC does not rigg elections. Only a fool would say he has changed now.
Nothing has convinced me that he and others are even slightly interested in democracy. It’s all about power with them and the AFC should stay far from that. Maybe some of them are democratic but it’s too much “taint” for the AFC to risk.
On the other hand, if they form another party then….who knows where that goes?
Well, this goes to show that nothing will ever change in Guyana.
The AFC needs to make a bold statement now to Guyanese, addressing both the disgruntled PPP and PNC’s supporters.
Feed the thoughts while they are still fresh in people’s minds.
Murray from your comments you sound like a decent man. Do not leave the party. You and your team with your decency should stay in the Party and correct the mess.
Guyana has become a place where bullyism,lawlessness,criminality and mediocrity are standards by which most have come to accept as norm. It is a sad day for Guyana
Like Mr. Murray said he does not want to sound like a sore or sour loser. CONGRATUALTIONS TO MR. CORBIN AND HIS TEAM YOU DID IT AGAIN. I was not an observer at the Congress, but from conversation with a wide cross section of Guyanese at home Mr Corbin is not so love by the PNC membership. Hence, I would say that the margin of winning (vote)is too large. My reason for saying this is the fact that you (CORBIN) cannot get the attention of the JAGDEO ADMINISTRATION on many critical issues that are facing the Guyanese masses. I believe that the people are prepare to work with you, but show us that you have some BACKBONE and stand up in words and action to the government be a strong and objective OPPOSITION LEADER.
However, the people have spoken and let us now see how Mr. Corbin will lead this once vibrant and progressive party. My advice to to is try to reach across the isles of the party that you have divided and regain the trust and confidnece of Mr. Van West Charles Team, Vincent Alexander Team and all other factions within the party.
Ok Mr. the ball is now in your court again we are all waiting to see how you will leader running up to ELECTION 2011.
I take this opportunity to congratulate the PPP on their land-slide victory over the PNCR
Are these people in a deep sleep, or are they still under the influence that allows them to vote for these politicians in spite of?
Where is the leadership that Corbin has demonstrated in recent memory?
Who can be so delusional as to think that under his guidance Guyana could become a better country?
This man has failed miserably as an opposition leader, yet his supporters has confidence in him being President…….. what a joke.
As to the claims of rigging……….. well they had 28 years to perfect their techniques.
Have a delightful day Mr. Jagdeo.
Get real “LoveGT4Real”; as, there are “223″ members of the PNC’s Electorate (if this poll can pass a forensic tests) who are not among the laughing stock of the world.
PPP what? you lil high today or what?
Kaieteur Gold, remember the saying “show me your company and I will tell you………”?
The 223 that you mention will either have to submit to Corbin’s leadership or break ranks…. Any which way I don’t see the PNCR mounting a formidable challenge come 2011.
Brandon my friend, I never said they will win the election, but they will definitely trounce the PNCR again.
Now the question is, who will stand in the gap against the PPP this time?
Correction: This should be “(if this poll can pass forensic tests). Thanks.
This pyrrhic victory by Corbin is an outrage but a welcome outrage to those of us who believe in a transparent democratic process. The opposition will be fractured and in disarray and I can just see Bharat Jagdeo and his P.P.P. cohorts rubbing their hands with glee. The P.P.P. is now guaranteed victory in 2011.
Winston Murray must leave this party and remove the last vestige of respectability it so desperately needs. Mr. Murray presented himself as an alternative but the disenfranchisement of his delegates was so massive he never stood a chance. This beast must be starved. No overseas funds and disaffected members should terminate memberships and subscriptions. Don’t attend meetings and refuse to volunteer. When called out for demonstrations refuse to participate. The skies may appear dark and foreboding but a bright bright sunny day is ahead. Guyana’s nightmare is about to end.
There is an old saying that a people get the leader they deserve. I guess a section of the population deserves Corbin as their political leader, another section deserves Jagdeo. Guyana deserves them both.
Enough said!!
Cummins, I can’t argue with anything you’ve said, except I’ll put it in a positive way:
It is the people of Guyana who have the power to change things, and until we exercise that power, things are what they are.
I believe both the PPP and PNC would begin to change radically the day after an election produces a sizeable minority for an alternative party that represents the broad interests of Guyanese.
Sadly, I believe they will change for the worst before such an election, (witness the clumsy, vile attacks on the AFC’s leaders in the Chronicle today).
But they would have little choice but to change for the better after that election; the people having said “Not this time, not anymore.”
Well said, Cummins!
I have said that many times Cummins and I concur with you whole heartedly. People who vote for PPP and PHENC deserve the madness that comes with such. We have choices contrary to what many might try to tell us.
The delegates of the now defunct PNCR have traded the future of Guyanese children for a weak and ineffective leader. A person who avoids the current political climate in Guyana and the socio economic issues, will not engage in issues affecting the national will of the people.
Guyana is now effectively set back in time perhaps four decades less the nationalist will. Therefore, given that the delegates have traded their children’s future and the future of every Guyanese the only hope is every patriotic minded individual should now rally their support around the AFC.
The future of the country rests with every disaffected Guyanese who must choose a new direction. Clearly the misinformed delegates who supported Robert Corbin did not comprehend the magnitude of their ill conceived decision. The PNCR is now the paper tiger engineered by Robert Corbin and his cohorts. Best Wished. The PPP/C is celebrating the continuing of an era of cronyism, nepotism, and the growth of the special interest.
Oh no, no, no.
Where were these 614 delegates a few weeks ago when Corbin called a protest and only 30 picketers showed up?
The math don’t give, Corbin. It’s impossibe for any Guyanese politician to sink lower than you have.
Robert Corbin, is the best that can happen to the P.Hen.Cee.
This is most disgraceful. I could not believe the level of rigging that took place. We must support democratic systems and it is obvious that the PNC leadership does not respect democratic norms. I trust now that the Murray/Van Vest Charles/Team Alexander supporters have recognized that the only way they will be a beneficiary of political power is to move away from the PNC. However, I am very happy Corbin won, since by his actions, he has guaranteed the PNC permanent spaces on the opposition benches, albeit in dwindling numbers. Now is the time for the disaffected PNC members to migrate to the AFC or the PPP, which ever they choose since this is the only way they will partake in political power.
Would the Afro-Guyanese masses, the Aunty Shirleys from Hopetown and Uncle Desmonds from Victoria leave the PNC for the AFC or the PPP come 2011? I ask my fellow bloggers this question. What do you think?
All is not lost; as, now is the time for all “Internet Generals” to start rallying the troops.
Alutha Continua – The struggle continues!!! Amandla!!
I would look for Mr. Winston Murray to switch party affiliation to the AFC. I would not be surprised if Mr. Van West Charles follows suit. Like e proud leader, Corbin chooses to go down with the ship.
Sase how do you know there was rigging involved? Even Murray and several others conceded that the margin was too wide for it to be rigged.
Come on man I am no PHENC or PPP fan but lets use common sense here.