Comparing oranges with apples in the Local Government Elections

Thanks for your excellent reporting on the recent Local Government Elections.

Having said that, I do feel compelled to provide some context to the voting numbers, with regard to the statistical erroneous comparisons being made between the 2018 and 2023.

The fact is, in 2018 APNU were in coalition with AFC. As a result, they competed in the elections as APNU+AFC. Therefore, it would be expected that contesting as APNU+AFC, the coalition would have accrued more votes compared to when contesting as standalone APNU. Where the underlying reason is, the AFC supporters would have likely boycotted the polls, in support of their party.

Where this I stress, to highlight the statistical reality that 2018 numbers, as being utilised by Bharrat Jagdeo, cannot be compared with 2023 numbers. For if one wishes to make comparisons, it is imperative that like it’s compared with like. In effect, APNU+AFC 2018 vote tallies cannot be compared with APNU 2023 votes tallies, since for all intents and purposes they represent two different entities. That is, one is a coalition with AFC while the other is a standalone APNU.

Nevertheless, in my humble opinion, the performances of the standalone APNU is commendable. In fact, PPP, boasting of making inroads, is flawed since they are comparing 2018 apples with 2023 oranges.

Yours truly,

Dr. Mark Devonish MBBS MSc MRCP(UK) FRCP(Edin) FRCP