by Rickey Singh

GEORGETOWN – It's official. President Bharrat Jagdeo's incumbent People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is back in government for a fourth consecutive term.

This confirmation came yesterday from the Guyana Elections Commission, which is expected to publicly declare the certified results today.

Based on the final preliminary results received from the estimated 2 000 polling divisions, the PPP/C is expected to have a minimum of 34 seats in the 65-member National Assembly.

The main opposition party, People's National Congress Reform-One Guyana, could end up with a minimum of 24; the new Alliance for Change, five, with the small Justice for All Party and The United Force taking one each.

The precise configuration of the new parliament will, however, be officially known with the disclosure today of the certified results.

Unlike the last two general elections of 1997 and 2001 when more than 80 per cent of the electorate voted, Monday's presidential and parliamentary polls seemed not to have attracted a voter turnout of more than 66 per cent. About 492 000 voters were eligible to vote.

A notable feature of the elections was the feared eruption of violence and disorder. However, local and international observers noted that tranquility was the order of the day as Guyanese trekked peacefully to polling stations, with most of them later taking advantage of the national holiday to stay at home.

Acting Police Commissioner Henry Greene said he was "quite pleased" that the elections took place in "an a climate of peace" and was looking forward to a trouble-free post elections phase.

Jagdeo, who is expected to take the oath of office for his second term between tomorrow and Saturday, was full of praise for the "very great job" done by the police and army in ensuring peace and order.