GEORGETOWN – Several opposition political parties here have announced the formation of a new partnership ahead of the next general election scheduled for later this year.
According to a statement, the Joint Opposition Political Parties (JOPP), The Guyana Action Party (GAP) the National Front Alliance (NFA), the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) and the main opposition People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) have agreed to the formation of “A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)” to contest the 2011 General and Regional Elections.
“The APNU is not a political party, but an association of political parties, Guyanese organisations and citizens that share a common desire to ensure a bright future for our country and citizens, guided by our Statement of Principles,” the political parties said.
They said that to “demonstrate our commitment to national unity and to fulfil the requirements of the Election Laws of Guyana” the grouping will contest the elections with a single united list of candidates, a common symbol, an agreed electoral platform and a single presidential candidate in David Granger of the PNCR.
The opposition parties said that the APNU will be formally launched on July 8 in the capital with several other launching programmes at various locations across the country, culminating with a mass rally here on July 29.
“Thereafter our election campaign will be accelerated until Election Day 2011,” the parties said, adding that the “APNU will soon after its launch identify and announce the candidates who would be put forward for the various Lists required for the General and Regional Elections”.
They said a leadership core led by Granger and consisting of four nominees is in the process of being established and will be announced at the formal launch on July 8.
The representatives of the opposition parties have also signed a declaration “formally asserting their commitment to establish a Government of National Unity” headed by Granger if they are successful at the polls.
The Declaration, which will be read later, sets out clearly the objectives of the Partnership as well as the guiding principles,” they said, adding that “the Declaration is also an invitation to political parties, civic organisations and individual citizens, of all ages, genders, races, religions, abilities, class, and political persuasion to join us under the umbrella of a partnership for national unity”. (CMC)