NACTA poll gives Ramotar decisive advantage

An opinion survey conducted by NACTA in early July has shown the incumbent People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) taking an early lead in popular support over the opposition parties in the upcoming general elections.

According to NACTA, the PPP/C enjoys 46 per cent of popular support, ahead of the newly- formed A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) with 25 per cent, the Alliance For Change (AFC) with five per cent, the Justice For All Party (JFAP) with one per cent, and the other minor parties with one per cent.

Undecided voters are listed at 22 per cent of the electorate.

PPP/C General Secretary and presidential candidate Donald Ramotar crushes APNU’s David Granger, who does not enjoy wide appeal, even among traditional PNCR supporters; and demolishes AFC’s Khemraj Ramjattan, who is struggling to hold on to the support the party won in 2006, the poll revealed.

The findings show Ramotar having 73 per cent acceptance among PPP/C supporters, while Granger has a 59 per cent acceptance among PNCR supporters.

Many PNCR supporters say they prefer former Finance Minister Carl Greenidge as the party’s presidential candidate.

A large number of voters feel the PPP/C will win a majority of seats based on its performance in government and because of its political machinery.

Some 780 voters were polled, of which 45 per cent of the total sampling were East Indians; 30 per cent were Africans, 16 per cent were of mixed race, eight per cent were Amerindians, and one per cent comprised all other races.

The survey found that 43 per cent of the electorate believe that a party will win the majority of the seats, and almost all of them give the thumbs-up to the PPP/C. Some 59 per cent of PNCR supporters endorsed the formation of APNU, while PPP/C supporters are almost totally opposed to coalition, contending that it is the PNCR in a different form.

Supporters of the AFC, the poll said, are pleased that their party did not join ranks with APNU; as such a move would have been political suicide.

The findings show that apart from the PNCR, none of the other parties that constitute APNU is projected to win a seat were they to contest the elections separately, and people feel that they bring virtually no support to APNU. Apart from the Justice For All Party (JFAP) led by CN Sharma, all the other minor parties have lost support, and none is projected to win a seat. NACTA said that in the communities where Channel Six TV is viewed, Sharma is the most popular presidential candidate because of his Voice of the People programme.

Viewers described him as genuinely caring for the poor, but whether his popularity will translate into votes remains to be seen.

The poll also queried voters about their preference for prime minister. Dr. Roger Luncheon and Dr. Jenifer Westford lead the pack for the PPP/C to balance the ticket with a non-Indian, although party supporters prefer Ralph Ramkarran or Moses Nagamootoo.

Many feel the party should opt for a younger candidate, like Robert Persaud, Priya Manickchand, Irfaan Ali, or Dr. Frank Anthony.

For APNU, Clarissa Riehl and Rupert Roopnaraine are the front runners to balance the ticket with a non- African candidate, but party supporters prefer Carl Greenidge or Dr Faith Harding.

Some even mentioned CN Sharma for prime ministerial candidate, saying he will draw more votes than the other mini-parties combined.

Many supporters of the PPP/C and PNCR feel the parties should follow the AFC’s example and select a woman to balance the gender factor.

The findings show a large number of voters, 22 per cent, being undecided.

There were complaints about poor performance of some officers in the regional bodies. Many say some of the ministers and officials around President Jagdeo are not doing a satisfactory job. Only a few ministers are viewed as serious performers, such as Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud, whom 22 per cent of the electorate rate as the best minister; followed by Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy with 15 per cent, Human Services Minister Priya Manickchand with 14 per cent, Housing Minister Irfaan Ali with 10 per cent, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh with eight per cent, and Sports Minister Dr Frank Anthony and Labour Minister Manzoor Nadir with seven per cent each. They also showered praise on some public officials, notably Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon and the President’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Nanda K Gopaul.