The opposition APNU has accused the ruling PPP/C of forging the signatures of many Guyanese in support of their candidates for the upcoming local government elections. The APNU claims that this is another manifestation of the PPP/C’s corrupt nature and undemocratic practices.
In a press release issued on Monday, the APNU said that many of those persons whose signatures were forged by the PPP/C wrote to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) demanding the withdrawal of their names. The APNU said it awaits the outcome of that.
In addition, the APNU condemned the PPP/C for threatening and intimidating persons who support the APNU list and involving the police in some cases. The APNU cited examples of such incidents in places like Wakenaam and other regions.
The APNU also expressed deep concern over what it called the “crookish” behavior of the PPP/C in some local authority areas. The APNU alleged that in the Woodlands/Bel Air NDC, the PPP/C’s list was rejected by GECOM officials twice because all the signatures for both First Past The Post (FPTP) and Proportional Representation (PR) were signed by one person.
The APNU said that some of those persons whose names were on the list were thumb printers and rather than their thumb print appearing, they were signed for. The APNU said that this amounts to fraud and will be challenged. The APNU said it has a copy of those fraudulent signatures.
The APNU called on GECOM to investigate these allegations and take appropriate action to ensure free and fair elections. The APNU also urged its supporters to remain vigilant and report any irregularities or attempts to disenfranchise them.
The PPP/C is yet to respond to these allegations. The PPP/C is the dominant political party in Guyana and has been in power since 1992. The PPP/C represents the interests of the majority Indo-Guyanese population.
