The Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) at a meeting held yesterday, decided that its 21st Biennial Delegates Congress will be held on Saturday 18th December 2021 and not December 11 as anticipated. The party said that the decision was made in the interest of ensuring transparency, democracy and fairness to all its members, delegates and officials.
Contestant for Leadership, Aubrey Norton said last night on “Politics 101” hosted by Dr David Hinds, that the decision was made after a recommendation from Vincent Alexander, the party’s appointed Chief Elections Officer (CEO).
According to Norton, Alexander was tasked to meet with the “various operatives” before reporting to the party about the state of readiness. Alexander, who is also an Opposition-appointed Commissioner at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), met with party executives yesterday and recommended “that the party give itself another week” and to push the congress to December 18, 2021. While Norton did not confirm or deny, PNCR sources told Guyana Standard that Alexander met a state of unpreparedness, thus resulting in his recommendation.
According to Norton, Alexander said that by the 18th, “all would be satisfied and there will be a glorious congress”.
Asked if the appointment of a CEO was a result of the party observing “red flags” (challenges), Norton replied: “I wouldn’t say red flags. The party always, when there’s going to be elections, seeks to identify somebody who’s not running, who is a friend of the party, somebody who would be impartial to be the Chief Elections Officer or Returning Officer, depending on which concept they use. And it was unanimously agreed that Vincent would be that person.”
Norton dismissed reports that the process was pushed back to March.
The PNCR’s announcement yesterday about the date change came exactly a week after the CEC disclosed the withdrawal of Accreditation Congress Committee (ACC) members, citing conflict of interest concerns.
The CEC, in a December 2, 2021 missive, said that while it recognizes the right of Delegates to support candidates of their choice, it reasoned that a conflict of interest arose where members of the ACC – which is responsible for selecting the delegates who would be voting for candidates – are at the same time openly campaigning for candidates of their choice.
Carol Smith-Joseph, Anette Ferguson and Ganesh Mahipaul accepted the position of the CEC and withdrew from the ACC.
