Guyana Elections: PNC Leader Dismisses James Bond’s Endorsement of President Ali
GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC—Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton dismissed a statement by former opposition legislator James Bond endorsing President Irfaan Ali for a second term on Friday.
"The only time something like that becomes a concern is if the people who are going have a support base, and from the evidence, none of them that went before had a support base. The support base is a PNC," said Norton, who heads the central opposition People’s National Congress (PNC).
Norton said he does not believe Bond’s support of Ali will have any impact on the PNC, saying, "Everybody is going to be concerned if somebody isn’t supporting you, but the question is, is it going to impact you to the point where it will affect your success? And here is what I am saying: it won’t affect us to the point where it impacts our access. As I have said before, there are many of us left."
James Bond’s Endorsement
Bond, an attorney and businessman, publicly endorsed Ali on Thursday, along with several residents of Melanie, East Coast Demerara, who heads the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) for a second consecutive term as head of state.
"President Ali is one person who has always remembered me," Bond said, embracing the President with a warm hug. "Since he was a minister, he always remembered me. He is my friend, and I’m giving you my full support for a second term. I’ve said it publicly," said Bond, a PNC member who had supported Norton last year when he was contesting the opposition party’s leadership.
Opposition Unity
Norton said he is certain that the opposition will contest the next general elections later this year as a united front.
"I do not doubt that there will be a cohesive party. I am engaging all members of our party. A party like ours has a history, and that history and institution—those two will help us, so I am not worried about the cohesion. We will work to unite the party further, and not Everybody who runs out there and says something indicates a lack of cohesion," Norton told reporters.
Elections Commission
The PNC leader has been engaging with several opposition parties ahead of the polls and is expected to meet with the Alliance For Change (AFC) and the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), key members of the grouping A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) that won the elections in 2015.
Meanwhile, AFC leader Nigel Hughes has brushed aside the Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM) assurance that this year’s regional and general elections will be free, fair, transparent, and credible.
"You would have to be possessed of the most creative imagination if any institution after having admitting the errors that GECOM admitted to recently…after having a slew of missteps, and after having every election challenged for someone reason or the other that anybody would repose some confidence or attribute any credibility to any institution like GECOM," Hughes said.
Conclusion
The opposition is gearing up for the next general elections, with several parties vying for power. The PNC leader has dismissed James Bond’s endorsement of President Ali, citing the lack of a support base. Meanwhile, the AFC leader has expressed concerns over the credibility of the elections commission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the current political situation in Guyana?
A: The opposition is gearing up for the next general elections, with several parties vying for power.
Q: What is the PNC’s stance on James Bond’s endorsement of President Ali?
A: The PNC leader has dismissed the endorsement, citing the lack of a support base.
Q: What is the AFC’s stance on the Guyana Elections Commission?
A: The AFC leader has expressed concerns over the credibility of the elections commission.
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