GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) – In a speech broadcast on the state-owned television, outgoing president Donald Ramotar urged supporters of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) to remain calm.
Ramotar said while the PPP/C is “disappointed, hurt and aggrieved” by the results, he was urging supporters “to remain calm in the face of widespread provocation associated with triumphalism.
“We should be proud of our unstinting commitment and ceaseless efforts to preserve our country’s democracy. We should also be justifiably proud of our record of success in restoring our economy and dramatically transforming our country over these difficult years of struggle.
“Let us not be daunted but redouble our efforts to keep our party strong and resilient. As we look to the future we will stand with our people to continue the struggle for freedom and democracy as we did decades before.”
Ramotar said he was disappointed that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) had not seen it fit to address the concerns raised by his party.
“My party remains convinced that a recount would have proven beyond any shadow of doubt that the electoral processes had been compromised and the PPP/C would have won,” he said, adding “we have agreed to pursue options for redress under the constitution and the law including an elections petition”.
He said the party was being removed from office “not through the will of our people, but by electoral manipulations.
“Yet we will remain steadfast in our commitment to the principles of freedom and democracy,” he said, adding that the PPP/C is proud of its achievements over the past 22 years.
“I am urging the new president and the APNU+AFC (A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance for Change) leadership to take urgent responsibility for the preservation of peace ,the respect for all our citizens regardless of race, colour or creed and the protection of all Guyanese irrespective of political affiliation.
“As we enter into a new phase of our country’s political life, the PPP/C will continue to strive for a strong democracy, a cohesive society and a better Guyana,” Ramotar added.
