Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jul 27, 2014 Letters
Dear Editor,
The findings of an opinion poll conducted by NACTA (North American Caribbean Teachers Association) on the leadership contest of the People National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) show most party supporters prefer incumbent David Granger over challengers Aubrey Norton, Sharma Solomon and others. The poll finds that a divided opposition against Granger makes it a no contest for Granger to retain the leadership. The findings also reveal virtually no interest in the elections of non-supporters of the PNC and limited interest (of just about half) of supporters of the PNC/R.
The poll’s findings reveal almost everyone, supporters of all the parties, feels Granger will handily win re-election because of his control of the electoral machinery and through selection and accreditation of delegates who will vote to select the leader, Chairman and other executive posts. Supporters of all political parties overwhelmingly feel Granger will win the leadership but they don’t think the election will be free and fair. A large majority feels the voting outcome will be manipulated to select a particular individual as leader. However, they say that even if the election is free and fair, Granger will emerge victorious as they don’t view Norton or Solomon as viable alternatives who can lure people from across the racial divide to enable the PNC/R to win an election. Some half of the population feels had Carl Greenidge contested the leadership post, and if the delegate selection were not manipulated, he could have given Granger a run for his money, perhaps even winning the leadership. People also express the view that that if the elections were free and fair, Granger would face a stiff contest from Norton but will fall way short of victory. They don’t view Solomon as having a chance of being selected as leader making the contest a two candidates race.
The poll also finds widespread disenchantment with the leadership of the PNC among all ethnic groups, including among traditional PNC supporters. There is very little support for the PNC among non-traditional supporters with the party struggling to gain traction among Indians and Amerindians, including those who have become disenchanted with the ruling PPP and AFC. The PNC is not viewed as a viable alternative for them because of its position on various bills.
The findings of the poll are obtained from interviews with hundreds of respondents of various ethnicities and diverse demographics who are supporters of varied parties. The poll was conducted by Vishnu Bisram for NACTA.
Asked who they prefer as leader of the PNC/R, the overwhelming favorite among all national voters (not voting delegates) is Granger (53%) followed by Norton and Solomon (22%) and (10%) respectively. Among PNC supporters, 46% say they prefer Granger followed by 28% for Norton and 13% for Solomon. Almost everyone feels Granger will win re-election as PNC leader because of his control of the party machinery. They also Granger’s backed (affiliated) candidates will sweep the other executive posts as well because of the control and stacking of the delegate selection process.
Voters condemn the manner in which the executives of a party are chosen saying the process is manipulated. Almost every supporter of all the parties feel the membership of the PNC/R as well as the other parties should be empowered to choose the executive of a party instead of only a select few hand-picked delegates (often chosen based on loyalty to the incumbent leadership or a desired outcome) who follows instructions on how to vote.
Vishnu Bisram
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Apr 19, 2024
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