Election over-’70’s and a suspect GECOM
From Congress Place to the State House upstairs as well as the Baridi Benab downstairs emotions ran the gamut: tension, reasonable expectations, doubt, confidence, enthusiasm, anxiety, “tiredness”, acceptance of final results, potential hostility to the unwanted unexpected. This was the final War Room Session.
The PNC Leader His Excellency entered and all mutterings, gaff and minimum unease ceased. Silence. The so-called Baby/Paper “Parties” “Partnership” leaders became ordinary members. The AFC “Coalition” ambitious opportunists were surprisingly positive as the Maximum Leader – His Excellency – began.
“First of all, with sincerity and extreme gratitude”, he began, “I thank every executive here, every, strategic planner, our overseas advisers, consultants, donors and yes every ordinary supporter, member and volunteer. None is ordinary.
You are/were awesome over the past weeks. Our robust campaign never faltered. We captured, overwhelmed the populace, the opposition, the electorate. Green was the scene. No other extreme, no in-between. Our green will repeat history!! With Monday’s Victory!”
Raucous applause. The few anxious female comrades, especially, roared with renewed life and confidence. As their leader, His Excellency – as if in military mode – outlined their final war-room assault: “On Saturday, we culminate an unbeatable strategy to win our second term. Nothing less than between 36 to 40 Parliamentary seats will do! No “leverage” or “balance” to any newcomer pretender Party.”
The Brigadier then reviewed the Campaign’s final days. He lauded all those who took to the “nooks and crannies” of every constituency, who delayed the viral media and who utilized State “Responsibilities” effectively. Including “AFC comrades”. Projects such as community Bridges, Village Roads, Drainage, the new hotels, the new Bonasika mines, two Immigration/ Passport Offices and the Agro Processing Centre at Wales were just a few “Strategic Announcements” which pleased His Excellency for their “timings.” The base is consolidated!
Strangely, the Maximum Military-Trained Leader explained to the comrades that “the Strategy” to ensure 36 to 40 Parliamentary seats would be reviewed by the Pro-government GECOM Commissioners and “The PNC Executive” at the War Room’s inner caucus. He later ended this final Session by promising another bombshell positive surprise at Saturday’s final Rally of all Rallies. And a “national victory party by next week Friday.
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PPP Situation Room: cautious confidence, uncertainty
To many of the younger comrades this final pre-polling day strategic session was disappointing. Luke-warm, uncertain. Even though a few leaders tried to exude restrained confidence.
For whilst His Excellency’s PNC War-Room heard that he could not “disappoint” his various, super generous donors, and that he “forgave” Minister Comrade Annette for “non-diplomacy” by campaigning at the funeral and promising kith-and-kin police officers house-lots openly, at Freedom House the tone was opposite.
General Secretary Bharrat started off by lambasting the 12 to 15 older comrades who did not attend! That group boycotted the final session because they never favoured Dr Mohamed Irfaan as Presidential Candidate, preferring a Vindi or Anthony/Phillips ticket. The General Secretary was livid! Even when Candidate Irfaan explained that “Frank, Vindi, Anil and young Ramson could all be Vice- Presidents”.
Comrades Gail, Rohee and Ramotar arrived very late as if representing bad omens. However the PYO youngsters reported on plans to transport voters to wherever the Polling Places would be. And they had distributed briefs on “potential rigging techniques” to every observer they could locate.
Three issues concluded that final Situation Room Session: (1) The American Consultants lobbyists’ relative “failure” to really “ground” with the Carter Center and ExxonMobil (but all was not lost); (2) The “real role” of smaller new Parties such as TCI, FED-UP, URP, TNM, PRP and LJP and (3) the two final rallies scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. Truthfully, the mood was deemed as “expecting the surprise.”
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What’s to retain, what’s to regain…
Just my own repeat-summary of what’s to lose when the incumbents – led by His Excellency – lose. All this is what the PPP and the newcomers would love to acquire after March 02. The partial list in the next paragraph.
Being President, Vice-President – Ministers and Prime Minister. Management of the new oil-and- gas sector. Appointments as CEO’s, Chairs of Boards and Commissions. Directors of State Companies. Trade representatives, Ambassadors and High Commissioners and Consuls-General. Insider investment opportunities. Land for houses and agriculture. VIP status at airports, easier gun licences and visitors visas. Quicker mining permits, etc, etc etc.
Would you plan to lose on March 02? Won’t your tribe do everything – fair or foul – to win? To regain? Ho-ho-ho.
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The future GECOM, the “old” leaders
I conclude this pre-polling day offering with two diverse observations, however obliquely related.
Frankly Speaking this Commission for Elections that we have epitomizes the failure of national management for decades. The suggestion by a well-meaning old American President still informs the structure of the Commission where suspicion prevails over its neutrality, professionalism and fairness. The Commission oversees a secretariat wherein it is easy to “falter” – given the reliance on Government funding and political Commissioners.
Right now witness the real fears – real, manufactured or perceived: is there subtle voter suppression? Can observers and scrutineers really monitor “vote tabulation” at all times? Could not a new constitutional Commission always have an updated voter’s roll? Poor Guyana – 54 years after May 26, 1966.
Now move over Dr Irfaan and all contenders under 50! Seventy-plus is the thing for new leaders! Over in the good old USA- Biden, Bernie, Warren, Bloomberg and Trump, all past seventy. One from that list will be President in November.
Here in the Green Land – Ramkarran, Granger and me- A.A Fenty- all over seventy. But I’m not running! So who will triumph here? By any means necessary? Ho-ho-ho!
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Quietly Ponder, Reflect…
I feel compelled, however belatedly, to offer this column’s condolences to all those near to the late GDF Corporal Seon Rose who died after being severely burnt whilst preparing for an evening’s fire-works.
The death and injuries touched me. He and his buddies were preparing to bring joy to many. Sad.
1b) What? The current 2020 calendar is the same as the one in 1992! Watch out PNC!
Why is General Secretary Dr Jagdeo’s photograph alongside candidates Dr Irfaan and Brigadier Mark on PPP newspaper ads? For Vice-President?
Do you know Monday evening’s winner? I do. Imagine by next column, next Friday, a “fresh government will be in place. Peaceful polling to you all who vote.
Til’ next Friday
