STEWARTVILLE, Region Three – With thousands of supporters gathered at Side Line Dam on Sunday night, People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) General Secretary Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo declared that the ruling party is heading toward a “huge, decisive, overwhelming victory” and made it clear that the state’s security forces stand ready to confront anyone who tries to disrupt the upcoming elections.
His declaration came as he took direct aim at opposition voices warning of unrest. He reminded supporters that A Partnership for National Unity’s presidential candidate Aubrey Norton had previously said: “If I don’t win, and if the elections are rigged, there will be trouble in Guyana.”
He also cited recent comments from We Invest in Nationhood’s presidential candidate, U.S.-sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed, who claimed that his own poll showed he had already won Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine, accused the PPP of planning to rig, and warned that “there’ll be trouble in Guyana.”
Jagdeo blasted Mohamed’s statements as “dangerous delusions” and accused him of parroting “the old, reckless language of the PNC.” He reminded the crowd of what he described as the PNCR’s dark legacy of electoral chaos and instability and warned that attempts to revive such rhetoric will be met with firm resistance.
“The security forces are ready to take on anyone who tries to disrupt the peaceful poll in these upcoming elections,” Jagdeo declared, his voice rising over the cheers of the massive crowd. His warning came alongside assurances from law enforcement. Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken, after participating in early voting with his ranks last Friday, told reporters that the Guyana Police Force has been working closely with other arms of the Joint Services on training and is prepared for the weeks ahead.
He explained that training continues to ensure readiness, and emphasized that calm is expected. “We’re adequately prepared. Remember Nomination Day we were quiet… we expected that this day (last Friday) would be quiet and similarly for the General and Regional Elections, we expect it to be quiet,” he said.
Hicken further stressed that security units will be deployed across all regions to monitor polling stations on September 1. Jagdeo, standing firm on stage, told the mammoth gathering that the PPP’s victory is inevitable and that the country’s democratic process will not be derailed by threats or intimidation.
“We’re heading to a huge, decisive, overwhelming victory for the PPP/C. And that victory will only be possible because of your support,” he declared, tying the party’s confidence at the polls to the readiness of the Joint Services to secure peace.
