Ramkarran ad does not fit into party norms – Ramotar

General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Donald Ramotar, said that a full page advertisement by presidential candidate-hopeful Ralph Ramkarran does not fit into the norm of the party. At a news conference on Wednesday, December 22, he expressed surprise at the move, saying that it was not how the party operates.

In a full page advertisement appearing in the Stabroek News on Wednesday, December 22, Ramkarran, a central executive member of the PPP and also Speaker of the National Assembly, reprinted a letter he had submitted to Ramotar expressing his interest in becoming a presidential candidate. 

 In that letter, he said: “I therefore formally indicate to you and the Central Committee my interest in securing the nomination of the party as its presidential candidate…I believe that I am fully qualified to undertake the onerous responsibilities of the presidency. I expect that, as in all important decisions since 1950 to present….the elections for the presidential candidate will be held by secret ballot if there is more than one nominee…”  Ramotar mentioned that such a move by Ramkarran did not fit into the norm, and was not reflective of the party’s policy. “I did not see the ad, but that would definitely be a first, because that is not how the party operates,” Ramotar said.

So far, there are three persons from the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) who have officially indicated their interest in the presidential candidacy.  While speculation is rife about the eligible frontrunners, Ramotar said that it was only he, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, and Ramkarran who have formally written to signal interest. Responding to questions on when the party intends to announce its selection, Ramotar said the matter is still being discussed with the leadership of the party, which is expected to make a decision in the early part of the next year. “It’s a PPP decision; hopefully, we wouldn’t have to wait long,” Ramotar told the media.  

The general secretary stated that the selection process remains the same as in previous elections, and the matter will be discussed at both the executive and central committee levels.Ramotar revealed that a code of ethics relating to those in the race has been circulated to the central executive body.  Responding to questions on whether the selection will be done through secret ballot, Ramotar said no presidential candidate has ever been selected by that method, but he could not comment further on the matter.