Granger, Carter discuss governance after elections

Last Updated on Monday, 11 May 2015, 11:31 by GxMedia

by Zena Henry

Leader of the opposition coalition A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), David Granger said former United States (US) President Jimmy Carter discussed with him the future governance model for Guyana after the May 11, 2015 general and regional elections.

Granger made the disclosure shortly after himself and wife, Sandra, cast their ballots at the Enterprise Primary School, D’urban Backlands, Georgetown.

In a short interview Granger related that he had two meetings with Carter himself and then rest of his team.  Carter and his aides winged out of Guyana Sunday morning because he fell ill, leaving behind observers to oversee the poll.

Granger said the former American President expressed concern about the integrity of the process, and the coalition was convinced that the Carter Centre would do everything within its power to ensure there is fairness.

The APNU+AFC presidential candidate said he was asked his approach on governance, but that is well known. “We are looking to establish a government of national unity and we will extend our offer to all aspects and branches of society, political parties or not.”

He reiterated that Guyanese must be assured that the next government will be an inclusionary government and one committed to developing all people.

The APNU+AFC Presidential candidate reaffirmed confidence that the Coalition would win “and restore democracy and good governance to Guyana.”

A good day for Guyana and a good day for democracy was Granger’s expression shortly after he and his spouse voted.

The Coalition leader was greeted with cheers and claps by persons waiting to cast their votes when the couple entered the polling station.

Granger said he has observed tremendous enthusiasm among the people in the 10 administrative regions and believes that is the decisive factor that the people of Guyana want change.

In 2011 the Coalition capped 51 percent of votes and we are confident that together it would be getting 58/62 percent of the vote this time, he told the media.

Granger noted however that in discussions with the Elections Commission they expressed concerns about persons who were on duty at  polling stations w but who have to vote at other locations.

Granger said he was expecting them to get certificates of employment and hoped further that polling stations would not be change. “”We hope there is no attempt to change polling stations. In the last election polling stations at private residences were changed at the last moment without being informed,” he said, adding that resulted in several persons having been unable to vote.

The coalition’s presidential candidate hoped that systems would be put in place to avoid a recurrence of the absence of opposition representatives in remote riverain communities, unlike the People’s Progressive Party Civic which had its personnel there.

In the meantime Granger said he will be visiting polling stations for the rest of the day to ensure the continuance of free and fair elections and eventually the announcement of results.