Granger calls for new elections date

…cites clash with CSEC, CAPE exams

By Jomo Paul

Opposition Leader David Granger has called on President Donald Ramotar to rethink the date that has been set for the hosting of General and Regional Elections, pointing out that it coincides with Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE).

Contacted on the issue, a senior Government official told Guyana Times International that all efforts would be made to ensure a smooth holding of the polls in conjunction with examinations.

The President on Tuesday in an address to the nation proclaimed that elections would be held on May 11 this year after Parliament was prorogued using a constitutional mechanism on November 20, last year.

However, concerns had arisen after it was realised that the date named for the hosting of elections would coincide with the exams set for that particular day across the region.

According to a copy of the CSEC timetable acquired by this publication, subjects scheduled to be written on that day include Agricultural Science (Double and Single Awards); Theatre Arts; Electrical and Electronic Technology (Technical); and Food and Nutrition Paper 2.

With respect to CAPE, the subjects scheduled to be written on that day are Geometrical & Mechanical Engineering Drawing Unit 1 – Paper 2; History Unit 1 – Paper 2; Art & Design Examinations to begin for Unit 1, Papers 2 and 3, and Unit 2, Papers 1 and 2; and Communication Studies Paper 2.

While it must be noted that elections are generally held on Mondays, it should also be stated that throughout the entire month of May, CSEC and CAPE exams are scheduled. The next available Monday without an exam would be June 15.

The concern was made known on social media by political observers and students alike who questioned whether or not the Education Ministry was consulted before a date was set by the executive. The Education Minister was part of the Cabinet meeting that decided on the date of the elections.

Polling places

The concern about the clash with exams scheduled in schools has been heightened given that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has requested that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) desist from using private entities as polling stations during this period.

In the opinion of the Opposition Leader, the selection of May 11 as the date for Elections was obviously a mistake on the part of the executive. According to him, there is still enough time left to alter the date since it has not been proclaimed.

“It is obviously an error or I would say a blunder … they probably didn’t put enough thought into it … maybe the President had better announce a new date rather than try to change the date of the examination; in fact, the date has not been proclaimed, so he may still have time to change it,” Granger told reporters on Wednesday.

It does not appear that Mr Granger is aware that if the elections were to be held on a Monday, the next window of opportunity would be in June.

Forced election date

Meanwhile, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Executive Member Basil Williams said that the President was hasty to name a date for General Elections, particularly without dissolving the National Assembly.

He ignored the point that the President had simply kept his promise to schedule elections by the first quarter of this year, and suggested that given the recent calls from the ABC countries for a date to be named, the President was influenced in the selection of a date for elections.

He told reporters on Wednesday afternoon that “the PPP is mortally afraid of elections …. he (President Ramotar) probably named a date to ease the pressure”.

According to Williams, a date for elections cannot be named without the dissolving of the National Assembly.