GEORGETOWN, Guyana – A day after Parliament here dissolved, Guyana’s Public Works Minister Robeson Benn has told Guyanese they should expect to go to the polls in late November to choose a new government, the independent Demerara Waves Online News service reported Thursday.
The news service quoted Benn as speaking at a meeting of the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic in Kitty late on Wednesday night.
Benn did not give a precise date but it is the closest that a government minister or party official has come to doing so, Demerara Waves said.
“We expect and we hope that again, with your support, that come elections the end of November hopefully will be the time that we’ll be in a position to win again at the 2011 polls,” he was quoted as saying.
Demerara Waves said there was widespread speculation of a November 28 election day and the “slim chance” of an early December date.
According to Guyanese law, an election date has to be announced before November 14 in order for Nomination Day to be set 30 days before polling day.
Benn is considered a likely candidate for the post of prime minister under Donald Ramotar as executive president should the PPP/C regain power.
An official of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) told the news agency that it will inform President Bharrat Jagdeo on Monday that the final voters list is ready.
With GECOM moving to fill 2 000 polling day vacancies complete its election preparations by mid-November, Demerara Waves said it was unclear whether Jagdeo would announce a precise election date as he kicks off a series of PPP/C campaign rallies in the sporting and sugar town of Albion, in the rural county of Berbice, on October 2. (CMC)
