Guyana Times Daily - May 12, 2015

Mixed voter turnout in Region 6

Residents of Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne) voted early Monday morning in this year’s General and Regional Elections where the turnout was described as mixed with surprisingly low turnout in some areas and high in others.

In the Corentyne District of Region 6 East Berbice, there was report of poor voter turnout in several areas along the coast. While there was no major disturbances reported a People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) representative said they were concerned about A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) supporters showing up at polling stations telling PPP/C supporters that their names were not on the list.

In areas such as Albion, Fyrish, Chesney, Nigg and Williamsburg, there was a reported eighty per cent turnout of voters on the list. Rose Hall Town and Port Mourant also went smoothly as well as Manchester, Alness, Ulverston and Liverpool/Lancaster.

According to a representative of the PPP/C, one of the reasons for the low turnout was that some persons whose name were on the list were not around, many migrated while some are on vacation. He nevertheless express optimism for a PPP/C victory as the turnout was what was recorded throughout the country, and not just Berbice alone.

Meanwhile, speaking with Alliance For Change

Executive Member, Dr Verasammy Ramayah he said that while there were no hiccups, the voters trickled in throughout the day and expressed a 77 to 80 per cent turnout in PPP/C stronghold.

The voting pattern throughout the day in most communities showed that most of the early voters were older folks, while the younger voters came in a bit later. In Black Bush Polder the male folk took to the poll earlier while the women remained at home cooking lunch and taking care of the household chores before heading to their respective polling stations. Overall, it was a smooth day of voting, debarring the stamp incidents which was not unique to Berbice alone.

In areas such as

Number 64/65, 77, Skeldon and Crabwood Creek there was a reported 70 per cent turnout. As time dawn upon the voting population in Berbice, persons walked, biked or drove to their respective polling station to cast their votes before the close of poll .There was no major lines nor were there any big last minute rushes.

Meanwhile, communities along the Corentyne Coast remained quiet while many went about their day as per normal.

Speaking with several youngsters, who were hanging out at a popular Snackette in Port Mourant after casting their ballots, they said that while they were advised by the older folks to stay home as they anticipate violence, they decided to come out

as they are of the view that it should be a normal day, and decided to come out as normal and “hang”.

They feel that if peo-

doors to long lines of voters waiting to cast their ballots. Many had started lining up before 05:30h. The process of voting in the country’s

ple stay away or restrain themselves from going about their normal routine, that would cause more tension and could escalate. As such they are urging other youths to come out and do the things they always do so that things can resume to normal faster.

In New Amsterdam polling stations opened their

oldest town went smoothly with only a few hiccups. At Tutorial Academy Secondary School where the town’s mayor casted his ballot, there were five polling stations and persons from the southern side of the town exercised their franchise there.

East Bank residents vote with few problems

Voting on the East Bank of Demerara was, for the most part, smooth as glass and quiet as a church mouse.

There were some hiccups at Timehri and to an extent at various areas throughout the East Bank of Demerara.

These included the long procedure that was in place to facilitate persons voting without identification cards. The process took approximately eight minutes per

case. The voter had to take an oath to verify their identity.

One man told the Guyana Times that he was chased from the polling station at the Timehri Primary School, because he had the old identification card despite his name being on the Official List of Electors (OLE). The Guyana Times was, however, told that the man was under the influence of alcohol and had started to create

a scene. When this publication left the polling station at 12:00h, a large number of voters were still in the queue to vote.

Earlier, a Police Officer collapsed within a few minutes of the opening of polls at the Timehri Primary School. This saw several other ranks leaving their posts to render assistance. At the time of the Officer’s collapse, there was no first aid personnel around. The Officer was picked up, placed in a minibus and rushed to the Guyana Defence Force’s medical facility where he was treated Moving on to Kuru

Kururu Primary School, the atmosphere was peaceful as

polling agents and information clerks were busy assisting members of the electorate to find their names and

polling booths.

A group of people from Swan Turn, Soesdyke/ Linden Highway claimed that, earlier in the day, they were at the polling booth, but their names were not on the printed OLE; however, they were found on the online version. This oversight was immediately corrected.

By 12:00h, most of the residents along the East Bank would have cast their votes and gone back home, but some were seen hanging around the polling stations.

The United Force (TUF) Presidential Candidate Marissa Nadir, after casting her vote at the Success Elementary School, Eccles, East Bank Demerara on

Monday, was confident that her party, which has been in existence for several decades, was back with a bigger force.

Nadir told the Guyana Times that her party has always been a third force, and it would be reaffirmed during the 2015 General and Regional Elections that it was back with some of the most dynamic leaders. Nadir lauded the electoral process claiming that it was efficient and transparent. She also commended the electorate who were at the polling stations very early, noting that they have taken heed from the various political parties.

tuesday, may 12, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic from Tuesday, May 12 – 11:10h-12:40h and Wednesday, May 13, 2015 – 12:20h-13:50h

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Tuesday, May 12 – 12:00h-13:30h and Wednesday, May 13, 2015 – 13:00h-14:30h

FERRY SCHEDULE

Ferries will be departing the Parika and Supenaam stellings on:

Tuesday, May 12 – 07:00h and 15:00h Wednesday, May 13 – 08:00h and 16:00h

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery to light rain showers can be expected throughout the morning, with light cloud cover giving way to sunny intervals in the afternoon. Partly cloudy conditions with thunderstorms can be expected in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly between 4.91 metres and 6.25 metres per second.

High Tide: 11:22h reaching a maximum height of 2.33 metres.

Low Tide: 04:51h and 17:29h reaching minimum heights of 0.95 metre and 0.84 metre respectively.

Ramotar says “loser should accept defeat”

– no Guyanese would be discriminated against because of vote

eople’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Presidential Candidate Donald Ramotar and Prime Ministerial Candidate Elisabeth Harper, along with their families, arrived at their respective polling stations early on May 11 to vote for progress to continue throughout

Guyana.

Ramotar and his family arrived at the St John’s College around 09:30h to mark their Xs next to the cup with the anticipation of taking home another PPP/C victory.

Stepping out of the polling booth in high spirits, President Ramotar wholeheartedly told media operatives that the losing party

Elections 2015

should simply accept defeat and encourage its supporters to do the same.

“Once the elections are free and fair, I think the loser should accept defeat, whoever the loser may be, which I’m sure wouldn’t be me,” he stated.

Ramotar assured every Guyanese that regardless of which political party they supported, there would be no discrimination after the elections once his party was elected – as it always has been.

Proudly displaying his inked finger, he expressed unyielding confidence in the electorate to vote his administration back into power via a landslide victory.

When prompted by the media, Ramotar disclosed that the PPP/C expects to gain some 40 seats in the National Assembly this time around.

In the last General and Regional Elections in 2011, though the PPP/C won the elections, they were considered the minority party in Parliament as the combined Opposition parties, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC), secured a one-seat majority in the National Assembly.

PPP/C Executives have since maintained that their campaigning strategies fell

short in 2011, but this year they assured the PPP/C had learnt from its mistakes and would come back with a resounding victory.

Ramotar also alluded to the fact that the PPP/C is an inclusionary Government because it has amended several laws to facilitate greater Opposition input into the decision-making process of the country.

He noted that he related this to former US President Jimmy Carter who arrived to head the Carter Center Observer’s Mission in Guyana prior to his sudden departure.

Meanwhile, PPP/C Prime

Ministerial Candidate Elisabeth Harper told this publication that after casting her ballot around 07:00h at the FE Pollard Primary School, Kitty, she is looking forward to serving as Prime Minister of Guyana. She too expressed great confidence in her Party’s ability to win the election and continue to take the country down the road of progress and development. Additionally, she expressed hope that every Guyanese citizen exercised their democratic right voting for the party they believed would better manage the affairs of the country.

GECOM appeals for peace as citizens await results

Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally has appealed for peace and calm ahead of the release of the first statement of results.

At a live televised interview held at the body’s media centre Monday evening, Surujbally issued a call for peace and tranquillity to prevail in the country at this time.

“Allow me to make an appeal to the citizenry, to the political parties that are contesting these elections, for peace and tranquillity must prevail. This peace and tranquillity cannot prevail if within an environment of turbulence…,” he said.

According to him, he has been in contact with the politicians running for office and has urged them to appeal to their constituents to behave in a responsible manner.

He noted that the process which has been generally smooth with the exception of a few incidents should not be marred, destroyed and undermined.

“We cannot allow a beautifully run elections, from all reports that we have been receiving kudos from the ex-

ternal observers, the local observers, the citizens who had gone out to vote, they are saying what a wonderfully administrated elections this was. Let us not have a situation in which that which has been achieved is undermined and destroyed,” the GECOM Chairman said.

It was on this note that he appealed to the citizens to leave the polling stations and to return home, in order for the process to be free, transparent and free from fear.

“I would like to ask the persons who are milling around the polling stations to disperse and go home. I’ve

asked that before, I have demanded it almost. I have asked all of the political parties for them to explain to their loyalists that the ballot boxes that they all are tending to believe for some reason they are guarding, are of lesser import than the statement of poll that will be distilled out of the content of those ballot boxes … there is nothing you can do at this time to disrupt what has happened during the polling period. There is no sense exciting yourselves over nothing really at this point in time,” Dr Surujbally said at the event, which was televised live across the country.

He said that while he was not frustrated at this point, he was, however, vexed that the Commission’s work was being threatened.

The GECOM Chairman said he has already spoken with President Donald Ramotar who has promised to endorse his call for calm following the close of polls. He said he was unable to make contact with A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Presidential Candidate David Granger, but has transmitted his sentiments through APNU Vice Chairman, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine.

Editor: Nigel Williams

Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

The day after

From all accounts, after all the storm and thunder of the last few months of campaigning, in general, yesterday was thankfully very calm as Guyanese turned out in their numbers to vote.

Traditionally, voter turnout in Guyana has been quite high in comparison to most of the developed democracies. But unfortunately this seemingly civic virtue has unfortunately been correlated with - and more than likely caused by - tensions between the two major voting blocs.

In 1964, following intense violence over two years between those two blocs - facilitated and midwifed by the CIA in an effort to oust the PPP - 96.98 per cent of the registered voters exercised their franchise.

Voting was rigged during the next two decades, but in 1992, after the intervention of the US, which sought to rectify their historic error of the 60s, voter participation dropped to 81 per cent. With most Guyanese claiming to be desirous of "free and fair elections", where their votes would actually be counted, it was projected that the voter turnout would have been higher.

Five years later however, after the PNC had polarised the electorate and the society through its wild claims against the PPP/C government about "ethnic cleansing" and "land grabs", the voter participation in the 1997 elections to rose 88.2 per cent, even though the leader of the PPP/C, Dr Cheddi Jagan, regarded by many as the "father of the nation", had passed away earlier in the year.

With the escalation of the PNC-directed street violence against the PPP/C's victory segueing into arson and beatings of citizens deemed to be supporters of the PPP/C, the elections of 2001 saw the voter turnout spiking to 91.73 per cent. The election had been scheduled two years before its normal due date because of the PNC violence, forcing the PPP/C to truncate its term of office by two years.

In 2006, with most of the organised violence against citizens seemingly petering out, the voter turnout dropped to 68.82 per cent - which was the lowest ever in the history of free and fair elections in Guyana.

Analysts claim that this low participation rate was due to supporters of the PNC - by then dubbed PNC-R1Glosing confidence in their leader Robert Corbin's ability to ever bring victory to his party.

In the 2011 elections, after several gruesome massacres, but with the armed gangs responsible evidently taken out, the rise in voter participation to 72.89 per cent was attributed to the efforts of Brigadier (rtd) David Granger, selected by Corbin to succeed him as PNC RIG's leader. Granger augmented, and in some ways supplanted, the old PNC party mobilisation machinery with platoons of exDisciplined Forces personnel drawn from local and foreign sources.

Yesterday, from reports in the field, it appears that the Granger mobilisation team has been successful, especially in Georgetown where the PNC's supporters predominate.

But while Georgetown delivers a quarter of the total votes, it is often overlooked that the PPP/C also has large enclaves with its supporters and that these enclaves have expanded noticeably in the last three years.

The lines at Georgetown polling stations have been noticeable longer than in rural areas, but at the latter however, it was reported that individuals have been spacing out their visits to the polling booths in a planned manner.

It would appear then that in the absence of an atmosphere of violence during an elections period, for the first time voter participation should yet exceed 80 percent. Much of this increased participation has been attributed to the heightened sense of competitiveness introduced into this election brought on by the combined Opposition seizing control of the National Assembly.

But this result has also evidently woken up the incumbent PPP/C Administration from its traditional attitude of expecting routine victories at the polls. With their renewed sense of purpose and reinvigorated party groups bringing out their voters, it appears that, barring any discrepancies, they will emerge with a clear majority.

General elections, rigging and the violence factor

Dear Editor,

At the conclusion of general elections in 2011, the results showed six seats for the AFC, 27 seats for APNU, and 32 seats for the PPP/C.

The results revealed a clear winner in the 32 seats won by the PPP/C. However, the combination of AFCAPNU showed the combined Opposition having a slight edge over the PPP/C in gaining 33 seats.

This immediately set off the warning signals in Donald Ramotar’s head knowing fully well that elections in the past have never given close results. It was a highly unlikely scenario.

And was he right on this one. Sure right he was because when you look at the number of instances where rigging was demonstrated, one example was the shutting up of the doors of the polling booth and stuffing the ballot boxes – something the PNC is all too experienced with.

At one such polling station, the rigging official clashed with PPP/C observer member Odinga Lumumba when he saw the shenanigan going on there. And who could be more vigilant than Mr Lumumba, judging from the fact that he is a former PNC member who is quite familiar with the dark side of that party. He knows the workings of their rigging machinery.

Then, there were the polling agents who were planted there to carry out the wishes of the PNC. On polling day they acted as if they were ignorant of their duties by not affixing the

stamp on the ballot papers among other things.

What resulted was a nullification of those ballots, which I am most certain would have gone the PPP/ C’s way.

When you put these and other gross inconsistencies together, Mr Ramotar asked for a recount to prove his point that he won the election outrightly. The Opposition feared the worst when the reality of a recount would have seen the PPP/C gaining an outright victory.

In response, APNU marshalled its forces for the usual Georgetown Street violence. GECOM’s Dr Steve Surujbally instead of honouring Ramotar’s request called on him to form the new Government with a minority Parliament.

He might have told Ramotar ‘pick your poison – do you want to lead the nation with a minority than suffer untold violence to prove that you won’? Ramotar chose the peaceful route.

Now, this has always been the PPP/C’s problem –having to give up their rights in the face of impending violence. Janet Jagan did this in the years preceeding 1997 and Ramotar the same in the last poll. You cannot convince me that in 2011 after so many elections, those polling agents still couldn’t get it right.

These are trained personnel who know what to do. Then, why the confusion? We are all well aware as to the goings-on here. This was by no means a mis-

take. This was a deliberate act to sabotage the process with the sole aim to ensure a PNC/APNU win.

My question is what became of those polling agents, were they rehired? If not what is GECOM’s plan to deal with any recurrence of this? These are all searching questions that deserve answers.

The Opposition was not satisfied with that and they wanted more – hence, the continued bullying in a hung Parliament. They simply will not stop until they achieve their goal. Here we are in 2015 and there was a relentless pursuit in getting the people’s Government out of office continues.

The strategy is still in force, they still believe that their rigging ways can bring them the result they need. And I have no reason to doubt them because one Opposition supporter told me that they will try the same illegal acts again – stuff the ballot boxes with Opposition votes in their strongholds and deny PPP/C voters in areas that are known to give that party much needed votes to claim a majority.

It is an elaborate plan that could work if all their plans go unnoticed.

From intelligence gathered they are also in a riot mode. As related to me, they are riled up into the usual “revolutionary” readiness. Another staunch supporter would only say we are “stocking up” in the event.

That statement has merit when you witness the latest shocking arms cargo find

at a local city wharf. The arms shipment was sent to a man from the Buxton/ Friendship area. His “gift” from abroad includes two AK-47 rifles, 15 pistols, 489 rounds of ammunition and bullet proof vests. The “stocking up” story related to me long before this find certainly has merit. If one would have been tempted to dismiss the “stocking up” talk as idle talk, then this latest miniarmy combat outfit gives a spine chilling reminder that seizing power by force is no joke.

It was divine providence that the Police intercepted this deadly cargo before they had the chance to use them. You cannot tell me that these guns are toy guns or that they were meant to shoot animals.

Pistols, far less AK47s, are not firearms used to shoot wild animals and wild animals do not return fire. So why the bullet proof vests? I rest my case. So, this change factor, or Guyana needs a “change” as they put it, is a last ditch desperate attempt to change the wills of the people – come what may they want power. The people of this country would have seen it all. What they were called upon to do is go to the polls and make that educated choice – whether we are going to entrust Guyana into the hands of violent dictators, or trust the tried, proven, peace loving and law abiding.

Neil Adams

I voted and saw an APNU-AFC strategy to create confusion

Dear Editor, I voted for the PPP/C yesterday. I am confident that we will keep the ‘cup’ held high. I am confident of victory.

Our supporters should stay calm and relax at home. We will win and we will demonstrate our strength. I expect that APNU-AFC will threaten and make as much confusion as possible. But we have a mighty weapon – our freedom and our pen. Putting those Xs in the box next to the cup is mightier than all their threats and all their intimidation.

Their strategy is clear – threatening, intimidation, abusive and loud. But no fear – by voting we stop them.

At 5:45h I showed up at my polling station. There are several polling stations at the Campbellville Secondary School. I went to my station where there were three people in the line before me.

Suddenly a man appeared that he was a supervisor for APNU-AFC. He created quite a lot of noise that polling cannot start until he said so. Apparently, the APNU-AFC polling agent was not being allowed in the room because she did not produce her GECOM ID Card. She produced the GECOM letter of appointment. But not her card.

They were all the things

we heard they would do –loud, threatening, intimidating and abusive.

After quite a scene, the APNU-AFC polling agent produced her GECOM ID Card which she had with her all along, but which she initially did not produce. My feeling was that the APNUAFC representatives were trying to create a problem deliberately.

I watched the GECOM staff intently. They were professional and at no time buckled under pressure. They insisted they will follow rules and will only allow persons with the proper credentials in the room. They stated that they will not be delayed and that if a properly-credentialed party representative was not available, they would start the process at 6.00 am.

The APNU-AFC senior person was apparently a military officer and used threatening words, including that they would not allow any person to vote until they were the representative was allowed to enter. He was maximally loud and abusive. At no point did he seem ready to reasonably engage the GECOM staff.

When they saw that they could not bully the GECOM staff, they suddenly produced a GECOM Badge which they had stated they knew nothing of. She was then allowed in and the pro-

cess started.

The first voter that entered was at the wrong place. She was told she had to go to another station. After making a quiet fuss, she left. She was told by a GECOM outside staff who had a computer that she was listed at another station right in the compound, but she insisted she wanted to vote at this particular station.

She left, but came back within three minutes and stated that GECOM was frustrating her. The Officer asked her if she knew what station she had to go. She told them what station and the GECOM staff again alerted her that the station she was at was the “C” station. She again left insisting that GECOM was frustrating her.

She seemed uncomfortable with what she was doing, but was clearly following instructions from someone.

Clearly a strategy was emerging that APNU-AFC had deliberately established a strategy to frustrate the process.

However, everything was soon smoothed out at this station and the first voter actually casted her ballot at about 6:05h. I was the number four voter and it took less than a minute to do so. There was already a long line and most people were orderly and in good spirits.

Guyanese Americans observe Mother’s Day

Dear Editor,

Mother’s day was celebrated in all of the mandirs in New York on Sunday by the large Guyanese community. Mothers were showered lavish praises for their sacrifices and hard work to raise their children.

The children deified their parents on this day, paying obeisance to them.

Mothers were garlanded with malas and showered with gifts and flowers. Kids read poems, performed classical dances, and sang relevant bhajans) to honor all mothers.

They praise moms for bringing them into the world and raising them to be who they are. Children conducted service (havan), performed “aartee”, prepared meals and served the mothers on the special day.

Children lauded the contributions of moms. And the pandits, in their pravachan, focused on the qualities of motherhood – of being a good mother to make your children proud of you. She shapes the kid’s character.

And children were also lectured upon how to be model kids, kind and loving to their parents. The mom’s love and guidance has helped to bring forth the family and help to school their children making them professionals.

At home, mom was given a day off from routine chores. Children prepared meals for their mother. They visited mom offering bearing gifts including money and clothing. Moms were served breakfast, lunch and dinner – out of the kitchen for a day. Many took their mom to restaurants.

It was a magnificent gesture to see children honoring parents. In New York, Guyanese families face many challenges. When kids come to NY, they tend to lose aspects of their cultural upbringing, copying values in conflict with their heritage that tend to destroy the foundation of a tight knit family life.

They show disrespect for elders. The strong endearment and kinship respect children have in Guyana for relatives and elders tend to disappear in New York City. Youngsters must be encouraged to struggle against the negative aspects of life (especially in NYC) and strive for family togetherness.

The pandits urge mothers and fathers as well to conduct themselves properly at home and in public as they are role models for their kids. They should live a pure, model life that will make children proud. They should be the Sita, Radha, Ram and Krishna of their

But the same crew that came and misbehaved moved on to another station and they were loud and disruptive. The loudness of their quarrels, whatever they were quarreling about in the compound, continued as I left.

But Guyana’s freedom and democracy was on show

Ramotar

and at least for the few moments I was there at the polling station, I saw a GECOM staff that seemed ready to face the challenges of the day.

Clearly, there will be challenges and we hope all parties cooperate. If they all do, I expect that we can be proud that since 1992 we

have kept Guyana’s elections free and fair.

At 6:5h, I started my journey to Skeldon, an area where I spent much time ensuring that our supporters went out to vote and they were able to do so freely and fairly.

Dr Leslie Ramsammy

has keen interest in reducing poverty

Dear Editor,

As the election season comes to a climax, I see a great many declarations for one political party or the next. While I respect the right of every citizen to declare their particular political choice, I also recognize and exercise the right to retain the privacy of my political choice.

The argument can be made that you should have the courage to express your conviction, but in my case, my conviction has always been that I stand committed to serve my country whatever political administration is in power.

The recollection of events that follows are specific in nature and are intended for just this reason, I believe it will show that I have and always will be bipartisan when it comes to the political arena.

What I have to offer is the engagement I’ve had with successive political leaders, going back to my teenage years. It began in the early 1980s.

community.

For children, pandits appeal to them to be obedient and do everything to make their mom proud of them. Children must also show love for and cherish their parents. Children should display eternal affection, reverence, love and respect for their parents and elders.

Adults know the pain of bringing forth a child in the world. They nurse their children and exercise patience and caution in raising them. They are the first to wake up in the morning and the last to go to bed and make every effort to meet the needs of children. They feed their kids before they have their own meals.

Their work is never finished. They take care of their children’s needs and do not leave them to fend for themselves. And yet they are not always appreciated for their sacrifices and responsibilities.

Kids should behave the same everyday as Mother’s Day – respect and honor your moms, while also praying for our mothers and honoring them for their sacrifices to bring us into the world. Children should treat their parents as Gods and Goddesses for they make us who we are.

Vishnu Bisram

I was head boy at my school when at the time it was adopted by LFS Burnham. It so happened at the first and only graduation he attended after adopting the school, he gave a speech.

They were three speakers that day, the opening remarks were made by the Headmaster, followed by myself and then of course the President. After my presentation, he went on stage and opened by paying me the compliment he had difficulty determining who the real Headmaster was.

As you can imagine, as a teenager at the time hearing such praise from your President spoke volumes. I was then placed in charge of managing a farm at the school.

Years after, when I had become a staffer at Gaibank, I served on two state boards under Desmond Hoyte. It so happened that I was approached to be a member of his party leading up to the 1992 elections.

As history would show, I did not accept the position. Incidentally, I believe that one of the individuals who had approached me at the time is now in academia in New York where he lectures at a university.

Why I did not accept, is simply because of the same position I’ve always held.

I prefer to serve my country as a technocrat and to the best of my abilities. In passing I would like to state that Hoyte was an honoured guest at my wedding.

I didn’t know Dr Cheddi Jagan well, but I remember that he graced us with his presence at one time at the Gaibank Sports Club’s classical music evenings. He had agreed to be patron of this event, when I was President of the Club.

My longest professional engagement with any President was under Bharrat Jagdeo. I remember when he was the newly appointed Junior Minister of Finance, I was part of the senior staff at Gaibank and a member of the board of directors.

Our initial engagements were not mutually agreeable to put it mildly. It started out that way, because at the time I was fighting to ensure that the staff members at Gaibank were given a proper severance packages in light of the fact that the entity was closing down.

I continued to serve the Government as part of my scholarship’s contractual agreement and to my surprise after his ascension to Minister of Finance (Snr.) I received a call to meet with him and was asked remain with the GNCB when my contract ended.

In the years to follow, particularly after he became President, I was appointed to several state boards, and managed an agency which dealt with all foreign loans and grants within the health sector, managing the first debt recovery in Guyana on a part time basis, since I was still a staff member of an international agency.

I would not say that President Jagdeo and I became friends, but we shared a cordial and mutually respectful professional relationship which lasted throughout his tenure.

Without negating or otherwise seeking to counter the image that persons might have of the former President, I humbly offer my own experience as a professional with him.

In my experience working with him, I observed him to be a person and President who was always keen on pushing for the development of Guyana and it didn’t hurt that he possessed a great deal of knowledge in that re-

gard and on matters of the state.

The times when we did not agree on an issue, we would take a few days off and then return to it for a resolution. Jagdeo was not a micromanager based on my personal experience.

Once a task was assigned, the only thing he expected was a result within the required time. When you work for Dr Jagdeo, once you achieve results, there is zero interference.

My relationship with Donald Ramotar, which preceded his becoming President, was closer to a friendship. When he was elected, as I have done with every significant change of Administration going back to 1992, I formally resigned all my public service posts. This wasn’t a case of “playing dead to see what funeral you would have”.

I did this to give every new Government the opportunity to select board members and senior officials based on the criteria they sought fit. It so happened that he rejected my resignations and as such I continued to serve of the positions I held at time.

What I’ve admired about President Ramotar is the keen interest and enthusiasm he shows in reducing poverty in this country and pushing the development of Guyana like his predecessor. From the first time I entered my professional life, my sole commitment has been to serve the country of Guyana to the best of my ability.

I don’t believe that this is something that is unique to me and I know it is a quality that is shared by persons from both sides of the political divide.

Regardless of where my vote goes, no single side has a complete monopoly on patriotism.

I wish to state that I’m really hopeful that those parties and the Guyanese public is acceptant of the winner since I believe doing otherwise would be a step in the wrong direction. It is also my hope that observers can be stationed at each polling station, whereby making the process as free and as fair as possible. That said, I’d like to wish my friend Donald Ramotar well in his bid for re-election to the Presidency.

Keith Burrowes

Political lightweights confident of “big” polling numbers

As Guyanese across the country on Monday turned out in droves

to cast their votes, in what is being dubbed as one of Guyana’s most crucial elections, the smaller political parties have indicated their confidence in attracting large numbers of votes.

Apart from the two main political groupings, A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), there are six small parties contesting the General and Regional Elections. The small parties are the United Republican Party (URP); The United Force (TUF); Healing The Nation Theocracy Party (HTNTP); the Independent Party (IP); the National Independent Party (NIP); and Organisation for the

Victory of the People’s Party (OVPP).

Of the eight parties, only six are contesting the

Mixed voter turnout in...

Mayor of the town Claude Henry, in an invited comment, said he wanted to congratulate people for coming out in their numbers. “It is a historic day in Guyana where we will see a change and a new administration. New Amsterdam has been a forgotten town over a period of years. I am hoping that with the change that will be coming, New Amsterdam will benefit tremendously when it comes to development and by extension Region Six.”

He said he is over-

whelmed being part of the historic process in Guyana. “I am only waiting for the announcement where we will have reason to celebrate a new Government; a Government of the people and a Government that will work in unity for the people of Guyana.

Meanwhile at several other locations, first time voters said they made up their mind on the party they were going to for while the elderly were being given preference. However per-

General Elections. The HTNT and the OVPP are the two that are only contesting the Regional Elections.

Guyana Times spoke with some of the leaders of the small parties who expressed their confidence in securing huge support from Guyanese. Members of the parties have disclosed that the voting process flowed smoothly at most of the polling stations they visited.

HTNTP Presidential Candidate Alfred Park went out to the polls early Monday morning to cast his vote. He voted at the Maes Primary School, Subryanville, Georgetown. Park told this newspaper that it was a very exciting time for Guyanese as they go out to cast their votes.

from page 2

sons in wheel chairs expressed concern that at many of the polling stations there was no provision made for them. They had to be lifted into the polling stations as polling agents refused to comply with requests to let them vote outside, saying that it will not be private.

Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne) Chairman David Armogan speaking of this historic day in Guyana’s history told the Guyana Times that the champagne leading up to the elections has

was confident the Party would acquire several thousand votes. “At least we should pull that much, because we are about holding things together,” he declared.

According to URP Presidential Candidate Vishnu Bandhu, the election process was fast at the Vreed-en-Hoop Primary School, West Coast Demerara, where he was the first person to cast his vote. Bandhu, acknowledging the importance of this year’s elections, stated, “This is a very serious elections. I think it’s one of the most serious elections we have, but we will have to wait and see what will happen.”

The HTNTP Presidential Candidate stated that he

been the most heated since he has been voting. He said many persons have taken the opportunity to exercise their franchise nothing that there are long lines at all to the polling stations that he visited during the morning period. “People are taking their right to vote very seriously and I am very happy about that.”

It is anticipated that Region Six will play a very important part in whatever the outcome of the 2015 National and General

Elections will be. Armogan says if the region gets 50,000 votes in that region the Peoples progressive party/Civic (PPP/C) will win the elections. “We have to be able to get about 50,000 to 55,000 votes here in Berbice, and once we get that we will win the elections. We have done a lot of work in the entire Berbice area and we are quite confident of getting back all these votes that we lost to the AFC in 2011. Voting is continuing peacefully in the region.”

TUF Presidential Candidate Marissa Nadir pointed out that the voting process was efficient and went well. She too had turned up early to vote at the Success Elementary School, Eccles, East Bank Demerara.

Additionally, Nadir, the lone female Presidential Candidate contesting the elections, noted that while her party is considered one of the “small” parties, she has made it clear that she was not afraid of the big guns.

“I am not worried to be competing with the big horses … we are satisfied as a party since we have done our best and know we have delivered out plans to the electorate … we have already made it clear from the inception as to what our plans of actions are,” the Presidential Candidate said.

Meanwhile, Attorney Saphier Hussain, Presidential Candidate of NIP, cast his ballot at the Fairfield Community Centre in Mahaica, East Coast Demerara.

He told this publication that he went to the polling for 06:00h; however, the line was very long as a result of persons turning up to vote without National Identification cards. They, therefore, had to take an oath, which delayed the process.

Hussain stated that his Party was expecting at least one seat in the National Assembly, owing to the volume of constitutional work he has done. He noted that cases, such as the one where he challenged the Home Affairs Ministry on the requirement for two-month old birth certificates, are the hallmark of the type of campaigning work he has done.

“A lot of people say they want to see me in Parliament to help with these constitutional problems,” he noted. According to Hussain, his Party has a different mandate than the others, noting that it focuses more on the constitutional sector.

tuesday, may 12, 2015

Jagdeo casts ballot, hails electoral process

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo, on Monday, voted by oath at the St John’s College, Georgetown, where he expressed his satisfaction with the electoral process.

The former Head of State turned up at the polling station sometime after 13:30h today, where he took an oath before the presiding officer.

Speaking to media operatives immediately after, the former President said he was satisfied with the way things were go-

ing.

“I am really happy with the way things have been going. It seems that things are going well across the country with the exception of certain places,” Jagdeo told journalists.

The former President spoke too of the alleged attempt by People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) supporters to steal ballot boxes from a polling place in South Georgetown. He said he would not venture into an issue that rests in the

hand of elections body, but thought that it was ludicrous for PPP/C supporters to make such an attempt in an A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) stronghold.

“Why would he steal the ballot box at this time of the day; in bright daylight? It does make sense. Why would anyone try to steal the ballot box in an APNU base at this time of the day, it just doesn’t make sense,” he said.

Meanwhile, a photograph of the PPP/

C’s General Secretary, Clement Rohee, went viral with him displaying his middle finger, an act social media has deemed disrespectful.

Addressing the issue, the former President said he was not being disrespectful, but was allowed to use his middle finger to vote instead.

“His entire nail on his index finger was black and blue and so they allowed him to put the ink on that finger. So it is not a sign of disrespect and I hope that this gets out.”

APNU/AFC activists attack McCoy at St Sidwell’s Primary

slams attacks, urges calm

Hundreds of supporters of the People’s National Congress (PNC)-led A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition on Monday afternoon attempted to barge into the St Sidwell’s Primary School after they learnt that People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Candidate Kwame McCoy entered the premises as ballots were being cast.

McCoy had gone to the station as a candidate of the ruling party to observe the voting process. This is allowed under election regulations. When Guyana Times arrived on the scene, there was chaos as scores of residents swarmed the vicinity of the primary school. Due to their aggression, Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) staff decided to close the gates to the school, denying them entry. This move triggered more aggression as the residents started protesting and yelling out

threats.

Some 15 minutes into the episode, Presidential Candidate of the APNU+AFC coalition David Granger and APNU General Secretary Joseph Harmon arrived on the scene. Instantaneously, the agitated residents halted their aggression against McCoy and rushed to Granger’s aid as he made his way to the polling station. Granger determinedly entered the building, had a discussion with the GECOM staff present there and, once again determinedly exited the premises into the arms of his supporters who flocked at his side begging him to assist them in getting rid of the PPP/C politician.

Granger then proceeded to get on top of a Police pickup to address the crowd, pleading with them to end their commotion and allow McCoy to walk away unharmed. “As long as that person is here, we will not be able to fulfill the purpos-

es of Election Day. I have therefore asked the Police; listen to me carefully, to escort that person out safely. I am asking you not to touch him…,” Granger said as he attempted to dissuade his supporters.

Nevertheless, following desperate attempts, Granger succeeded in making his supporters agree to let McCoy exit the building unharmed. However, as McCoy exited the building, some people were still trying to attack him which forced a group of persons to form a human barricade to prevent the aggressive mob.

Mc Coy was seen safely entering the Police vehicle which made off down Vlissengen Road.

PPP/C condemns

Meanwhile, the PPP/C condemned the incident saying that McCoy suffered serious bodily injuries and was admitted to hospital for treatment. The party reported that he was stoned by the mob while he was in the vicinity of the school, however, it did not detail at which point this episode occurred.

In a media release, the PPP/C said it strongly condemns the actions by the Opposition supporters, noting that they merely acting upon “a deliberate and malicious rumour” manifested by Opposition personnel to “fabricate excuses if they were to lose these elections”.

The PPP/C then remind-

ed that they had warned about the Opposition peddling rumours which can pose serious consequences upon the people of Guyana.

“Having built false hope in the minds of their supporters, they have, through these rumours, set the stage for the non-acceptance of the results which can precipitate instability within the country. There is overwhelming evidence of such during past elections and have only served to set our country backwards,” the statement read.

Moreover, the PPP/C

called on the leadership of the Opposition coalition to demonstrate a profound sense of responsibility and to reign in its supporters who are bent on creating havoc.

Observers

Additionally, the PPP/C called on both the international and local observers to be cognisant of these incidents. Members from the Commonwealth Observers Mission, speaking to media operatives outside the St Sidwell’s Primary School while the incident was occurring, reported that thus

far, everything appeared to be executed smoothly. The two man team simply replied by stating that they are unaware about the reason behind the ruckus but claimed that they were assured by the Police and GECOM staff that everything will soon be restored to normalcy. McCoy, as part of his responsibilities for which all candidates are entitled, was exercising his right by making rounds at the various polling stations across the country.

Voting in Berbice...

Large turnout in New Amsterdam as voters flock polling stations

Polling stations opened their doors on Monday morning to long lines of voters waiting to cast their ballots in New Amsterdam. Many voters were seen lining up as early as 05:30h, with the process of voting in the country’s oldest town going smoothly, with only a few hiccups.

At Tutorial Academy Secondary School where the town’s Mayor cast his ballot, there were five polling stations and persons from the southern side of the town exercised their franchise there.

Mayor of New Amsterdam Claude Henry in an invited comment told Guyana Times that he wanted to congratulate the electorate for coming out in their numbers on Monday.

“It is a historic day in Guyana where we will see a change and a new administration. New Amsterdam has been a forgotten town over a period of years. I am hoping that with the change that will be coming, New Amsterdam will benefit tremendously when it comes to development and by exten-

sion Region Six”.

Mayor Henry said he is feel overwhelmed being part of the historic process in Guyana.

Meanwhile, at several other polling locations, first time voters said they had their minds made up on which party they were going to vote for, while the elderly were given preference to cast their votes ahead of

the long lines.

However, persons in wheelchairs expressed concern that at many of the polling stations, there were no provisions made for them. They had to be lifted into the polling stations as polling agents refused to comply with requests to have them vote outside, saying that the process would not be private.

Chairman of Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne)

David Armogan speaking of the historic day in Guyana’s history, told Guyana Times that the campaigns leading up to the election have been the most heated since he has been voting.

He said many persons have taken the opportunity to exercise their franchise, nothing that there were long lines at all of the polling stations that he visited during the morning period. “People are taking their right to vote very seriously and I am very happy about that.”

It is anticipated that Region Six will play a very important part in whatever the outcome of the 2015 General and Regional Elections will be. Armogan said “We have to be able to get about 50,000 to 55,000 votes here in Berbice and once we get that, we will win the election.

We have done a lot of work in the entire Berbice area and we are quite confident of getting back all these votes that we lost to the AFC in 2011.”

2nd Moleson Creek Bridge under construction

The second Bridge in Moleson Creek, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) is currently under construction and is expected to be completed by August month-end 2015.

Construction of the $84.5 million Bridge project began on February 27, 2015 by B & J Civil Works.

According to Sherod Parkinson, the Ministry of Public Works (MPW) Engineer overseeing the project, work to be carried out include the replacement of structural steel and the driving surface, and widening of support piers.

Due to the heavy traffic to and from the Moleson Creek Stelling, the Ministry initiated the expansion of two

bridges, allowing for wider shoulders to alleviate traffic flow.

The bridge under con-

Eyew tness

Campaign vignettes...

...from Square

One of Burnham’s daughters came out from England to endorse the PNC-led APNU/AFC coalition at its last rally at the Square of the Revolution. Must’ve seemed like a homecoming for her: she lived with her father over at Castellani House, right across from the Square.

One point in her favour is having spent over two decades in England, she didn’t affect the English accent her father inflicted on Guyanese 40 years after spending just four years there. Thank God for small mercies.

But she retained one Burnhamite trait though - the willingness to dissemble so as to lead common folk down the road to perdition. She exhorted the crowd to vote for the coalition even as she admitted she knew nothing about them. Save what she’d read on “her computer”!!

Now let’s look at this “endorsement”. Here’s a woman who complained she came to “bury her father” because folks “dig him up” at every election...and tell “jumbie stories”.

Now while that may be a good line...couldn’t she at least have mentioned why Guyanese - who really live here - are forced to “dig up” Burnham?? Is it a “jumbie story” that Burnham mandated Army officers like David Granger swear fealty to him? Was it a “jumbie story” that Dr Walter Rodney was assassinated by a sergeant of the Army - whom Granger was appointed to head just months before her father warned Rodney to “prepare his will”??

If she’d been experiencing what Guyanese endure every day, she’d have known that the expression “the evil that men do lives after them” isn’t just a figure of speech. There’s very few evils Burnham hadn’t inflicted on Guyana and Guyanese. But that road’s been so well travelled we don’t have to go there, do we? Might be better to examine the quote from her father she whipped out: “We must be Guyanese.”

Without any evident irony, she cited this in the context of “national unity”. A unity that Burnham himself shattered like Humpty Dumpty - which could never be put together again - after he split the PPP in the 1950s just to satisfy his ambitions. She might also have been defending Moses Nagamootoo’s rejection of being an “Indian” and just a “Guyanese”...which seems to have placed his 11 per cent promise in jeopardy.

But she should’ve listened to herself when she quoted Walter Rodney - the same Rodney her father had murdered. Rodney, she reminded her audience and us, spoke of “Indo Guyanese” and “Afro Guyanese”.

Behind her, Nagamootoo winced: where’s the conflict in being an Indian and being a Guyanese? Rodney lives!!

...from Nagamootoo’s arrival

Your Eyewitness does have his sources - who seem to be tracking the Opposition’s shenanigans. On May 5 at 04:41h, on Nagamootoo’s Facebook, he posted an interesting snippet in reference to his denial of his being an “Indian”.

This is it. “Arrival Day: Today is a public holiday in Guyana to mark the arrival in then British Guiana of the first batch of Indians in 1834.”

Now here is this “Guyanese” admitting that the holiday is “ARRIVAL DAY”. That is, “the arrival of ALL indentureds who came after the Emancipation of slavery of our African sisters and brothers. It seems that Nagamootoo, while wanting to only be “Guyanese” when he’s around Granger, is willing to diss all those other “arrivals” - Portuguese, Africans, West Indians, Chinese and Portuguese - when he was in Berbice wooing that 11 per cent he promised to deliver unto Granger.

But the wanker couldn’t even get his dates right. The first Indians didn’t come here in 1834 but in 1838... the same year Africans finally received their freedom.

...on Ramjattan

Poor Ramjattan. If he wasn’t such a sleaze all, you could almost feel sorry for him. On the stage at the Square, he wasn’t allowed to say a word. Just to sit in the wings with Jaipaul Sharma. Who?

That’s the point!

tuesday, may 12, 2015 |

Edghill attacked by APNU/AFC activists in Linden

People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Candidate Bishop Juan Edghill has lodged a formal complaint to the Organisation of American States (OAS) after he came under attack at the Wismar Hill Primary School.

According to reports reaching Guyana Times, Bishop Edghill during his visit to Linden on Monday attempted to gain access to the Wismar Hill Primary School, one of the polling stations, when he was de-

nied access by supporters of A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC).

He was reportedly told by persons manning the gates to the polling site, that they were given spe-

Edghill refuted the claims made, noting that APNU/AFC supporters are known for “lying for no reason”.

However, he made it clear that at no time will he give in to the APNU/AFC

PPP/C to file report of double voting to GECOM

While the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) was pleased with the countrywide turnout to the polls on Election Day, it said it will be making some reports to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) about alleged discrepancies taking place at various polling stations.

At its first press conference for Polling Day, PPP/C Executive Member Dr Frank Anthony related that based on the reports received from agents across the country, the voter turnout had been excellent.

“We are very pleased with the voter turnout across Guyana so far, our polling agents and candidates have been monitoring the various stations across Guyana and we are extremely pleased that our supporters are turning out in large numbers,” he told an emergency press briefing at Freedom House.

Anthony said the Party was, however, concerned about the long lines at the polling stations. This, he said, was reportedly caused by the slothfulness of the agents.

There were quite a few voters who were turned away from polling stations, Anthony noted, relating that they were turned away and misdirected when they turned up to a particular station where they were supposed to be voting.

“When they go to other places, they have been told that they are not supposed to be voting there and are sent somewhere else, although they were supposed to be voting there,” he said.

Other specific instanc-

PPP/C Executive Member Dr Frank Anthony

es, he said, included persons turning up at the polling station, claiming to be someone else and using the folio and being allowed to vote.

He said, “Then later, on somebody would come with the same name, produce an identification card and then there is a problem because someone has already voted for that person.”

Dr Anthony said there have been several other instances like that including a case where a 65-yearold man was turned away from the polling station be-

cause the record showed that he had voted already. Allegations have also been made of persons using substances to remove the ink stain from their finger, all with the aim of voting more than once.

“These persons have allegedly turned up to the polling stations with these multiple voting, using people’s name and going into the stations.”

He said there were also instances of persons who have applied for proxy voting, but when the relative turned up to vote, they were denied access to vote.

“We are of the strong view that anyone who would violate the laws regarding voting in Guyana should face the full brunt of the law. And in the cases of persons are assuming other people’s identity and are being allowed to vote, we see that as a very serious breach and these cases should be investigated,” he stated.

“That is something that quite a few of our candidates when they go to polling places are reporting back to us,” he noted. He said the Party was cur-

rently compiling a list of the specifics to be sent to GECOM.

Additionally, Dr Anthony complained that reports reaching the Party alleged that persons were turning up to the polling places without their identification cards.

cific instructions not to allow him entry.

The Minister was not only refused entry but he also came under verbal assault from the APNU/AFC supporters

On his way out of the compound of the polling station, Minister Edghill was accused of giving “unwarranted” instructions to a man who was taking photos at the time.

supporters. “I don’t have to talk to you, sir, about instructions; you can put this on camera and you can take it wherever you want to take it, I am saying I have a right to be here and you, neither you or your group would keep me out of here. I have made that point.” He added, “This is the usual intimidation and bullyism of the PNC.”

Mother of 2 killed by speeding car at Annandale

Amother of two took her last breath at the Georgetown Public Hospital on Saturday morning while receiving medical attention after being struck by a speeding motor car at Annandale, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

The dead woman has been identified as Lilowttie Ramharakh, 36, of Lot 21 Unity Village, Mahaica, ECD. Her 13-year-old son was also injured during the accident, but is said to be in stable condition. He sustained a fractured right foot and lacerations to the head, arm and shoulder. According to information received, the woman and her son were dropped off at the optician at Annandale, and while attempting to cross the road, they were hit by a speeding motor car which then slammed into two other vehicles.

The driver of the car who is suspected to be a member of the Guyana Defence Force was arrested, but was later released on station bail.

Pertab Persaud, the woman’s husband, told the Guyana Times that moments prior to the accident, he dropped off his wife and son at the optician. He said his son was going to look after his glasses.

As he drove away, within a few seconds, he heard a crash and as he looked through his rearview mirror, he saw his son and wife lying on the road. He immediately stopped the car and rushed to the scene. He ran to his son and enquired if he was okay. The son at the time was bleeding from his head, hand and shoulder.

He then turned his attention to his wife who was crying out for pain and enquiring about their son. Persaud stated that he put his son in the car with assistance from passersby, but while at-

… at the hospital, they look after meh son and so and he was okay,” the man recalled.

Both of his wife’s feet were broken and she sustained severe injuries to her body. She passed away about 02:00h the following morning. Persaud noted that he later went to the police station where he gave a statement. While doing so, the driver of the car turned up and also gave a statement which contradicted his story.

“Based on the statement the man give the Police, he want say that meh wife and son de wrong … we went back to the scene and tek statements and he again give the Police the wrong information,” the man stated.

Ramharakh’s body is at the hospital mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examina-

tempting to pick up his wife, an ambulance arrived on the scene. “The ambulance take my wife and I take my son to the Georgetown hospital

tion. She leaves to mourn her husband, two children, and siblings.

The Police are investigating the accident.

Elderly, disabled undeterred to vote

Even the elderly and disabled, including the visually impaired and the physically impaired, came out in large numbers to ensure they exercised their democratic right to vote for a government they believe will take the country forward.

Keeping the Guyana Elections Commission’s promise to cater for that special group of the electorate, its staff was keen on ensuring every individual who was categorised under those circumstances were given preferential treatment at the various polling stations throughout Guyana.

Over at the Grove Primary School in the New Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, hundreds of eager residents flocked the compound before the crack of dawn to ensure they voted early.

Of those hundreds, a significant portion consisted of elderly folk who were adamant not to waste their hard-won democratic right.

As they were waiting for the gates to be opened, the elderly people huddled together, telling tales of their voting experiences “back in the days” and explaining why they were not going to let their disabilities deter them from contributing to the election of a new government.

Most of those interviewed admitted that they were reluctant to leave their homes, particularly owing to the lengthy process it takes to vote and the toll it takes on their health. However, they expressed that due to the in-

tensity of this year’s General and Regional Elections, they could not afford to allow a little discomfort to get in the way of them voting for a new government of their choice.

Hassle-free

Reports emanating from villages along the East Bank Corridor, including Grove, Timehri, Craig, Eccles, Hope, Friendship, Diamond and Covent Garden indicate that the process was hasslefree for the elderly and disabled as they were entitled to preferential treatment.

A visually impaired man, though he encountered some difficulties with the section he was slated to vote, reported that the GECOM staff allowed him to vote ahead of

the others who were already in line.

He explained that he took directions from GECOM staff to join a particular line, only to find out his name was not on the list when it was his turn to vote.

When he finally found the right line he needed to join, he related that he did not have to line up like he did before.

GECOM had in place a system where the visually impaired can use specially designed stencils to vote if they wanted to vote independently.

However, the elderly man said he did not use that facility but instead allowed his relative to assist him in voting.

“Everything went smooth, I went and the line was long, but they told me I could go up in front and explain my condition and they would let me vote in front of all them people. It was good, because I don’t think I cudda stand up so long and wait because my knees bad and I have back pains,” a 65-yearold Craig resident told this publication.

Similar instances played out along the East Coast Corridor.

At the various polling stations in Cummings Lodge, the elderly there expressed gratitude to GECOM for putting systems in place to facilitate their needs in this respect.

In the capital city of Georgetown, in West Demerara, Linden, and Bartica, reports also indicated that GECOM kept its promise, ensuring systems were in place to facilitate the voting process for everyone.

2 held over ballot box incident at Tucville

Two men were arrested following reports that they attempted to steal ballot boxes at the Turning Point, Tucville, Georgetown polling station.

Police arrested the men

area was flocked with concerned residents who scurried out of their homes to witness what was occurring.

Reports indicate that the two unauthorised men forcefully entered the poll-

the ballot boxes, in the presence of the polling agents, presiding officers and Police Officers. Several residents within the vicinity at the time of the incident quickly realised what was occurring

after angry residents had dealt one of them a sound thrashing. When the Guyana Times visited the scene around 12:30h, the episode was at its climax and the

ing place, claiming that they were there to oversee the process. While this information is not yet confirmed, reports indicate that the men then made an attempt to hijack

and attacked the men just before the Police intervened.

According to residents, the ballot boxes were retrieved and the men were subsequently arrested and

taken into Police custody to assist with investigations. After the ordeal, the polling station was closed for some 15 minutes until the situation calmed down. It was then reopened and the voting process continued.

When this newspaper visited the scene some hours later, several residents surrounded the area asserting that it was their duty to guard the ballot boxes, in the event another episode should take place.

Angry residents protested that GECOM should have better facilities in place to prevent such occurrences from happening, adding that the Police should have stopped the men long before they exited the polling station.

According to several residents at the scene, they were informed that the men were

paid $10,000 to conduct the job. “How can you do something like that for $10,000?

God, man, why these people can’t let the process go smooth? If it was $1,000,000

I wudda understand, but how can you do something like this for just $10, 000,”

one female

Meanwhile, when contacted, GECOM Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield confirmed that the elections body received the reports of the disturbance and the matter was being investigated.

Peaceful voting process at Cummings Lodge

Before the crack of dawn, hundreds of persons assembled in front of Polling Stations at the Cummings Lodge Secondary School to exercise their voting franchise.

The atmosphere was quite jovial and relaxed in the morning as the elderly persons were assisted by staff of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) who ensured that they were given first preference.

Guyana Times spoke with several of the elderly persons who shared the same sentiments that “the staff of the Guyana Elections Commission are very supportive, they ensured that we got through and were well taken care of”.

Notably, the crippled and the elderly were seen being either wheeled in or fetched in by persons who formed themselves into groups to assist those targeted. As they sat patiently waiting their turn to go in and cast their votes, they interacted with each other and shared their hopes for a peaceful election.

The majority of the persons indicated that they came out very early so as to avoid the confusion and huge crowd that would exist at the various polling stations.

However, it was noticed that later in the day, voters were saying that the process was smooth with little delay, but a major area of concern

was finding the right polling station to cast their ballots.

Speaking with People’s

Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Candidate Dr Vindhya Persaud, she highlighted that from her observation “persons are getting through the process well; however, there are some frustrations due to the alpha split of the divisions. Some are a bit confused, in that when they go to the information desk they are being told one thing, but when they arrive at the polling station, they are being turned away.” Nevertheless, she noted that she got through the process well and was happy she did not face any difficulties.

At a certain point during the voting process, there were rumours that the ballot boxes were cut; however, no detailed information was given by any of the senior officers of GECOM and as such no one showed any concern.

Despite the tension as it relates to finding the polling stations at the Cummings Lodge Secondary School, the crowd reacted in a very respectable manner as they spoke with the various polling agents who advised them what they should do and ensured their concerns were addressed.

Persons from across the village went around with their families and friends encouraging others to come out and cast their vote. They also highlighted to them the importance of keeping the peace and not spreading rumours without receiving factual information.

tuesday, may 12, 2015 |

Granger, Moses cast ballots, express confidence

People’s National Congress-led A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC)

Presidential and Prime Ministerial Candidates

David Granger and Moses Nagamootoo on Monday morning after casting their vote, declared that the coalition was confident.

Granger and his wife, Sandra, were among the first in line at the Enterprise Primary School in D’urban Backlands at the crack of dawn, awaiting the opening of the polling station.

Clad in a white shirt and dark green pants, Granger

was welcomed with applause and cheers by electors standing outside the polling station upon his arrival.

As he proceeded into the polling station, scores of persons left their positions in the line, peeping through every available crease and crack to catch a glimpse of him exercising his franchise.

As he exited the polling station smiling with his wife by his side, the waiting voters exuberantly clapped and bid him farewell.

Outside the polling station, Granger told media operatives that he was not only happy, but he was also con-

fident of victory when the results are announced. He noted that the APNU/AFC coalition would win and restore democracy and good governance to Guyana.

“It is a good day for Guyana and a good day for democracy,” the APNU+AFC Presidential Candidate declared.

According to him, tremendous enthusiasm among the people in the 10 administrative regions has been observed on his various out-

in Government.

While he noted that he was thus far pleased with the systems in place and the smooth flow of voting, he was still concerned that the party’s polling agents who were on duty at the various polling stations had to vote elsewhere since they were not issued with Certificates of Employment from the elections commission.

After leaving his polling station, Granger proceeded to other polling stations

reaches and campaign meetings and as such, he is of the strong belief that this is a signal that Guyanese are in need of and crave a change

across the country in a bid to ensure that the electoral laws were being observed.

Meanwhile, over at the National Aquatic Centre

at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, the APNU/ AFC Prime Ministerial Candidate, Nagamootoo; his spouse, Seeta; and his children, all turned up at 08:00h to cast their ballots.

Nagamootoo told media operatives that Election Day was a day of liberation and he was confident that change was coming for the country.

“It is a feeling of liberation. It is a day that I have waited for so long, that has come when we vote for a Government of national unity for Guyana. I expect a handsome majority … the

people are so eager for a change. I have never seen so much love…,” the APNU/ AFC Prime Ministerial Candidate told the Guyana Times He noted that while the continent of Europe has celebrated the ‘Velvet Revolution’, Guyana will soon celebrate a green and gold revolution.

Meanwhile, over at Plaisance, former Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Gary Best, who had earlier embraced the Opposition coalition, was all smiles as he exercised his franchise.

Observer Missions give kudos to Guyana for election process

Amid a few minor hiccups, the country and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) by extension has come in for high praise from both the international and domestic observer missions that are monitoring the electoral process.

Currently there are five international observer missions and 14 local groups conducting observation works in the country. This includes the pre and post election periods, the voting process and tabulation of the ballots.

Guyana Times caught up with some of the observer missions to get their reactions to polling day activities. Chief of Mission for the Organisation of American States (OAS) in Guyana, Ambassador Lisa Shoman has expressed her satisfaction with the conducting of polls, while noting that 98 per cent of the polling stations opened on time.

“Early this morning there was quite, a good turnout and I think we were able to observe the opening of the polls. The polling stations had the materials that they needed,” she noted. Shoman added that the OAS observers in the 10 administrative

regions had submitted a preliminary report on the opening of polls in all 10 regions.

However, the OAS Chief of Mission registered her disappointment with the long procedure that is in place for voters without identification cards. “There are a couple of places where it took long and we have noted that it is people coming without ID cards, it takes between five to eight minutes to have them vote so it’s a little slow.”

These sentiments were adopted by the team from the Union of the South American Nations

(UNASUR), who also congratulated the country and GECOM for what they say was an efficient and transparent voting process.

At a press briefing on Tuesday, Special Representative of the South American organisation, Dr Domingo Paredes, praised the electoral systems that are in place. He pointed out that the voting stages adopted by Guyana are not seen in any other South American countries, referring to the ID display in polling stations, the presence of security personnel at all polling

stations and political representatives in the stations among others.

Paredes commended the Election Commission for a job well done, noting that their voter’s education programme was on par. He specifically mentioned the visual displays around the polling stations displaying the stages of the voting process.

Nevertheless, the UNASUR representatives highlighted a few issues that came to their attention such as the lack of accessibility for the handicapped

and the elderly to the polling station. Furthermore, he noted that there are limited polling stations, hence the long queues.

UNASUR had observers at 33 polling stations in four regions. There were observers at four polling stations in Parika, at eight stations in Georgetown and New Amsterdam, and five in Linden.

In addition, the Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) Ramesh Persaud dubbed the election process “credible”. He told Guyana Times that he had the opportunity to visit polling stations in outlining areas such as Diamond, Skeldon and Linden.

Persaud sang the praises of the GECOM staff, noting that they were “properly trained” and the systems in place were in accordance to the country’s practices. He added that the voting process was moving apace, since by 10:00h, most of the polling stations were cleared.

Furthermore, the PSC Chairman is urging Guyanese to be patience and accept the official results published by GECOM.

“The process was credible, the staff were diligent and

I even spoke to the political agents and while there were some minor discrepancies, it was nothing had could alter the results.”

Meanwhile, the Commonwealth Observer Mission, which has a sevenmember team in Guyana, has stated that observers were deployed to polling stations in and around Georgetown, Charity Linden and New Amsterdam.

At these locations, the Commonwealth observers “met with local election officials and Police commanders and collaborated with other observer groups”. The international organisation team observed the voting process, counting of the votes and transmittal of the results from the various polling stations back to the Elections Commission head office in Kingston. The group is expected to deliver a preliminary report on Wednesday. Observers from the United States Embassy were seen in the Corentyne monitoring various polling stations. They indicated that up to midday on Monday, when approached by this newspaper, there were no complications.

Sophia riot mars E-Day success

... house, 6 vehicles burnt

BY ALEXIS RODNEY

Residents of C Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, erupted on Monday evening, transforming the community into a virtual warzone over allegations of electoral impropriety by a politi-

scene, they failed to contain the angry crowd.

Kooblall stood motionless in his neighbour’s yard, where he and his family members sought refuge through the back fence that was destroyed to ensure their safety. He was adamant that the alle-

with a minibus were destroyed by fire, along with a house and a nearby horse stable.

When Guyana Times arrived on the scene sometime after 21:00h, the fires were already burning with huge barricades which Police immediate-

cal activist.

In the ensuing battle, five cars, one minibus and a house, along with a horse stable were burnt. The violence targeted People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) member Narine Kooblall.

Residents stormed Kooblall’s home, attempt-

gations were untrue and could not understand the reason for the rage.

His escape opened the doors for massive looting of his home which also housed a grocery shop in the lower flat by residents. The house was in utter confusion, and millions of dollars in valuables including household items and gro-

ly removed. Shouts of “we want our boxes, we want our boxes”, infused the air. Residents were in defence mode, and many challenged the Police to remove the “boxes” from Kooblall’s home.

Although warding them off, broken bottles were loosed in the direction of Kooblall’s home and up

ing to set it ablaze, and although almost two dozen Police Officers were on

ceries from the shop, were taken away. During the ordeal, some five cars along

to press time, the Police, along with approximately 30 odd soldiers who later

arrived on the scene could not keep the residents from venting their anger.

At the scene, PPP/C’s Executive member Joseph Hamilton said unlike the allegation of ballot box tampering made by residents, Kooblall’s home was being used as the command centre for campaigning in the area. However residents said that the home was being used as a polling place and that persons had gone there to vote on Election Day. Hamilton explained that he was as-

here, gave them their kits so that they could go as polling agents”. Hamilton said sometime around 17:30h on Monday, persons that he knew, stopped his bus in front of Kooblall’s residence, alleging that his home was a polling place. He said the individual continued spreading the rumour to all passersby. It was not long after that hundreds of residents began converging at the front of the residence and began their protest.

According to Hamilton,

as the rioting unfolded. Hamilton further stated that he invited Kissoon into the station, to see how things were going. Several other leaders were also invited into the makeshift office.

According to him, the persons spreading the rumours were also invited into the man’s home to make checks for themselves, which was done. “They left and this continued. So the vehicles are damaged... They continued, Police came and tried

signed to the area to lead the team there. He said for the last three weeks or so, he along with other supporters has been working in the community at that residence.

“Today, like all other days, we brought persons

persons came out from as far as Albouystown and other parts of Georgetown and joined in the rioting. He said members of the Alliance for Change (AFC), including Raphael Trotman and Freddie Kissoon were present

to deal with the situation”. Up to the time Guyana Times left the scene some two hours after, no member of the People’s National Congress-led A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change was present.

tuesday, may 12, 2015| guyanatimesgy.com

Minor glitches as ECD voters exercise their right

On a day blessed with glorious sunshine, voters on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) came out in their numbers to cast their ballots, and while there were some minor hiccups, the process was generally smooth.

In many of the villages, stretching from Fairfield in the East to Better Hope to the West, voters had formed long queues from as early as 05:00h, determined to exercise their constitutional right to vote for the party of their choice.

A 71-year-old woman from Ann’s Grove, Pauline Dodson, said she was at the polling station from 04:30h after “party people” had passed through the village waking up residents to go out and vote.

Dodson, who was relaxing by her son’s snackette on the Ann’s Grove Public Road when this publication caught up with her, said the polling station opened on time and the voting process was smooth.

Further up at Enmore, there were a few concerns which were raised by People’s Progressive Party/ Civic activists, who claimed that at one polling station, the Presiding Officer had

denied a few residents the opportunity from voting when they turned up without identification cards, although their names were on the list.

Another problem that

process as more time was spent on clarification.

On a more positive note, others in Enmore who were among the first to vote expressed satisfaction with the cooperation by the Guyana

arose in this area was missing names on the Official List of Electors appearing on the online version on GECOM’s website. Although those persons affected were eventually allowed to vote, this brought a burden on the

Elections Commission (GECOM) staff and their clear directives, especially to first-time voters.

Two first-time voters along the East Coast corridor said they felt a sense of pride at being able to cast

their ballots and having a say in the leadership of the country.

The two young ladies who wished not to have their identities disclosed told Guyana Times they were impressed with the swift and efficient work of staff at the polling station where they voted. Both young women divulged that they followed the campaign closely and had a clear choice on who they want to govern the country.

They further added that regardless of the outcome of the election, all politicians must work in the best interest of the citizenry.

Meanwhile, National Independent Party Presidential Candidate Saphier Hussain, who voted at the Fairfield Community Centre, said the process there was hassle-free as he turned up in the hot midday sun to cast his ballot.

Retired Judge Donald Trotman, working as a Rural Constable at a polling station in Golden Grove, ECD, said the process was quite an orderly one, with most of the voters turning out during the morning session.

Trotman divulged that many persons turned up at

the polling place he was stationed to cast their ballots between 06:00h and 10:00h, after which a few started to trickle in as the day wore on.

Up to about 14:00h when this interview was conducted, Trotman reported that there was an air of calm in the community, with no reported cases of disruption.

Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) Chairman Clement Corlette, who voted at around 11:00h at Triumph North said that he feels quite privileged to have done so. At the time he voted, there were just a

handful of persons there, leaving him to assume that there had been a rush earlier in the day.

A Partnership for National Unity activist Ernest Elliot, who voted at the Golden Grove Secondary School, stated that he was quite happy how the process was conducted, stating that there was only a minor hiccup with the shortage of ballot paper. However, this was rectified by the Deputy Returning Officer Jaigobin Mohabir, within an hour of him becoming aware of the issue.

Quiet, calm reign as Region 3 votes

While several incidents were reported in Georgetown on Monday, across the Demerara River on the West Bank and West Coast of Demerara, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), it was a scene of harmony and organisation votes turned out in their numbers.

Secondary School polling station.

Speaking to Denise Fraser of Parfaite Harmonie, she related that it was a run-of-the-mill process for her since it was her fourth time voting.

“It is nice to see the young people coming out. For me personally, I had no

right. Although persons of all walks of life turned up at the polling station, it was noted that the majority of voters in those early hours were the elderly. The atmosphere was calm and jovial as residents interacted with each other and expressed their concerns and hopes for the

Quiet, calm and peaceful are the words to describe the voting process on the West Bank of Demerara. From La Grange to Patentia, the process for voters proceeded with relative ease and neither the voters nor the observers were dissatisfied.

The process was so smooth that some of the senior citizens who had first preference elected to wait their turn in the line at the L’Aventure

problem casting my vote, it was a smooth process and it ended quickly,” Fraser told the Guyana Times

It was an early day for those residents in Canal Number One on Election Day with many of them turning out at their respective polling stations at the crack of dawn to exercise their franchise.

When the Guyana Times visited the Two Brothers Primary School at 06:30h, scores of residents were already in line, all excited to exercise their

day’s proceedings.

The eldest resident of the community, identified as “Aunty Rosie” who is in her late 90s, turned up at the polling station ushering her neighbours in to vote. By midday, the majority of the residents had finished voting and gone home.

In Canal Number Two, it was even more peaceful with only a few voters unable to vote, because of their outdated ID cards and their names were not on the list. The community

itself was unusually quiet and serene. Similarly, over at the

polling stations on the West Coast, peace and quiet prevailed.

At the La Jalousie polling station, it was evident that most residents had completed voting, as very few persons were present. According to information received, most residents had assembled very early in the day and the process had been completed quickly and efficiently. The other polling stations such as those at Leonora, Cornelia Ida, Uitvlugt and those along the West Coast public road remained serene and tranquil throughout the day. According to the residents of these areas, they had no complaints as the polling station staff was efficient and helpful. There have been no reports of interference at any polling stations within the area.

PPP/C condemns Sophia violence

... urges coalition leaders to condemn acts

The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has forthrightly condemned the wilful torching of two buildings and two vehicles in Sophia by a mob who openly voiced their allegiance to the Opposition.

One of the buildings and the vehicles belonged to a supporter of the PPP. In a statement, the PPP said information reaching Freedom House indicated that earlier in the day, the party supporter was wrongfully accused of electoral infractions by members of the mob. It was also reported that following the accusations earlier in the day, a senior member of the Opposition alliance visited the area and eventually noted that nothing illegal had transpired. “It therefore now becomes worrying that a mob, with its loyalty to the coalition, would resort to such violence putting many lives at risk. Such incidents must be condemned by all.”

According to the PPP, Guyana’s electoral history is replete with these incidents which must be laid squarely at the doorstep of the Opposition. “In this regard, the PPP calls of the Leader of the APNU/AFC alliance, Retired Brigadier David Granger, and its Prime Ministerial Candidate Moses Nagamootoo, to con-

demn these acts of violence and to have their supporters cease these actions. These violent acts are against the tenets of democracy and create unwanted instability in our country.”

The party said as the polls closed earlier, the PPP noted how pleased it was with the turnout of its supporters. “Our party takes this opportunity to express its gratitude to the many thousands who came out and stood for long periods to exercise their democratic right to cast a vote. Their patience is testimony to their belief in a progressive Guyana and to sustain the strides made under the PPP Government,” the PPP statement said.

It added: “While our party is pleased in this regard, it must note its disappointment at the unprofessional discharge of duties by some [Guyana Elections Commission] GECOM staff in some areas up to this point. This is totally unacceptable and those officers who chose not to operate in a professional manner must be condemned and must answer for their transgressions. Our party recognises that while some operated in an unacceptable manner, many other GECOM staff performed admirably and must be commended for their professionally discharge of duties.”

According to the PPP/C, now that the counting phase is underway, it is extremely concerned over the many reports received of aggressive behaviour by Opposition elements that have surrounded some polling stations. “We believe that this is a calculated attempt by the Opposition to intimidate our election agents in an effort to compromise the counting process. Our party calls on GECOM and the law enforcement agencies to act accordingly to protect the integrity of these elections and to ensure the safety of those involved.”

The PPP calls on its supporters to remain calm while remaining vigilant to safeguard the process. Additionally, “our party will continue to follow up with GECOM concerns it raised earlier. Among those are reported cases of duplicate voting, a deliberate slow pace of the voting process by some election day staff, voting by imposters and the intimidation of voters in some areas.”

As the nation awaits the results of this election, the party urges and reiterates that all involved must act in a responsible manner so that in the end, democracy in Guyana will prevail. The party further urged international observers to remain vigilant as the process is far from complete.

APNU/AFC pleased with conduct of polls

The A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition has expressed its satisfaction with the electoral process with exception of a few incidences which took place during the day.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday afternoon at the party’s campaign headquarters, Co-chair of the coalition Raphael Trotman said that the party was immensely pleased with the information they have been receiving from their agents across the country, barring some incidences.

According to Trotman, at Region One (BarimaWaini), the voting process could not have gone smoother, while over at Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), the process was also praised. For Regions Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and

Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Trotman said that while the voting process was smooth, the party was disappointed with two incidences which took place. These, he said, were the voting by an underage girl in Region Five and the attempt of snatching ballot boxes by an individual at Turning Point, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

Two persons were subsequently arrested and taken into Police custody while the girl has been detained by the Police for questioning, the party said.

The underage voter was identified as “Miss Arjune” who voted at polling station 522212.

“The child is known by the entire village to be underage but she was allowed to cast a ballot… As a lawyer, I tell you if there is one incident of such case, you will find others,” Trotman said. The Police in that region are investigating the

incident.

For the other regions, he outlined the reports which were received, noting that Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) recorded a poor turn out as compared to the previous years but has not recorded any incidents.

Over in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Trotman said that by 12:00h, almost all of the electorates had already voted and nothing abnormal was recorded.

Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni), the AFC Executive said, had no troubles and the same was recorded for Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) were relatively quiet,with voters turning out in massive numbers.

The party remains optimistic that it will be able to win a majority given the feedback it has been receiving.

Residents protect ballot boxes in East Coast villages

Scores of residents assembled in front of the Success Primary School, East Coast Demerara after news spread that men in white vehicles turned up at the location attempting to steal ballot boxes.

Men and woman were seen monitoring the situation and claiming that they would not move until the ballot boxes were collected

by GECOM officials. When the Guyana Times visited the area late Monday evening, four of the six polling stations had already posted the statement of polls.

One man told the Guyana Times that the men were apparently monitoring the Police ranks who were at the location. After the ranks left, the men popped up and were forcing themselves into

the compound, but were stopped by security officials.

The resistance by the watchful residents made the men left the area. The man further stated that they will protect the ballot boxes.

Another man explained that he heard the commotion and upon enquiring, he saw the white car leaving the location in a hurry.

While at Success,

Guyana Times was told that two men were arrested after they attempted to collect the ballot boxes at Paradise Primary School. This, however, could not have been confirmed. At the

La Bonne Intention Primary School, several persons were seen liming in front of the Primary School waiting for the ballot boxes to be safely removed.

The same was no-

ticed at the Graham’s Hall Primary School where scores of people were keeping guard. Other villages between Beterverwagting and Cummings Lodge were calm without any commotion.

tuesday, may 12, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Lindeners turn out in high numbers to cast ballots

…few hiccups

By Svetlana MarShall and UtaMU Belle

Voter turnout in Region 10 (Upper DemeraraUpper Berbice), particularly Linden, was reportedly high as voting got off to a smooth start under the watchful eyes of international observers, primarily Commonwealth, the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the Carter Centre.

Before the crack of dawn, hundreds of persons assembled in front of polling stations across the district as they awaited the opening of polls. At the Linden Foundation Secondary School, one of the major polling sites in Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden, the gates were opened promptly at 06:00h.

Voters present at the time, expressed their satisfaction, noting that the process was very systematic with polling day staff giving clear directives. Notably, pregnant women, the elderly and disabled persons were given first preference.

Guyana Times caught up with the Region 10 Chairman, Sharma Solomon, who also expressed his satisfaction. “I am encouraged by the turn out so far within my division of Linden Foundation Secondary School. At six this morning the lines were very long, it indicates that people have an interest in electing a new Government,” Solomon, a candidate on the APNU/ AFC Geographic list, stated. With a voting population of 29,000, Solomon, who is

were dispatched across the region. “I am encouraged by the systems we have put in place…and I am confident that we will secure the majority of the votes,” he added. In addition to the Linden Foundation Secondary School, visits were also made to the Amelia’s Ward Primary School on the eastern side of Linden.

Patience

When Guyana Times visited polling sites at Wismar, Linden primarily the New Silvercity Secondary School, Christainburg Recreational Hall, and the Wismar Christainburg Secondary School, persons were patiently waiting their turn to exercise their franchise. Here, the crippled and the elderly were also seen being either wheeled in or fetched in

the Regional A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Coordinator, said the Coalition is hoping to secure approximately 25,000 of the overall regional votes. According to Solomon, in Linden alone, some 19,000 persons were expected to vote.

The Regional Chairman explained that all logistics were put in place at the last meeting held on Sunday with the Party’s agents, noting that a total of 300 agents

by persons who had formed themselves into groups to assist the disabled and elderly voting populations. According to reports, the groups within their respective communities, had three vehicles each available to them, one for the elderly, one for the disabled and the last for those voting via proxy.

At the Amelia’s Ward Primary School, Pastor Nigel Milo was seen fetching out 89-year-old Beryl Hall from the polling station shortly after she had cast her

Meanwhile, some residents noted that the process was a smooth one, having turned out quite early in the morning to cast their votes. This newspaper spoke to Samantha Frank shortly after she cast her vote and she explained that all went well.

“The process was great. I feel really excited, having voted for the third time in my life and I feel really good about it. I woke up since about 4 o’clock this morning and I was out there since about 5:30h so I was one of the early voters at the polling station. It went very smoothly; I get through (to vote) very quick although a lot of people were out there already…I had no difficulties.”

vote. Hall, who hails from Cinderella City, Amelia’s Ward, is a member of Milo’s Church – Church of Christ. Her niece, Yvonne Drakes, explained that Pastor Milo volunteered to take her aunt to the polling site after she had an expressed her willingness to vote. “The one foot is dead, so she cannot walk without the stick, and he volunteered to lift her in and out. We were trying to get proxy but she wanted to come herself.”

Meanwhile, at the New Silvercity Secondary School, Ann McBean was among the many elderly persons who were escorted by their families, friends or public spirited individuals. “I got up early and told him I got to go and vote and so we came out. It’s my constitutional right to vote and once I have life I will continue to exercise that right,” McBean said, as she was being assisted by her son.

Over at Wismar

Across on the Wismar shore, residents, young and old, could be seen making their ways to polling stations situated at the New Silvercity Secondary School, Harmony Secondary, Wisroc Nursery and Primary, Christianburg Wismar Secondary School, among others. A peaceful atmosphere was maintained throughout the morning hours as there were no major reports of disorderly conduct at any of the polling stations.

A young man who turned out to cast his vote at a polling station at Wismar sat outside looking quite despondent since he noted that his name was not on the Official Voter’s List.

Speaking with this newspaper, the young man said his National Identification card was issued in 2001. He said he did not get the opportunity to check the Official List of Electors and was told that he was not eligible to vote after turning up to cast his vote at the polling station.

Upon checking the printed list, another individual, a woman, whose name appeared not to be on the list, enquired where she had to go to receive some assistance.

Nineteen-year-old Keyanna Smith explained that she was ecstatic to have voted for the first time, noting too that the process was quite simple.

“I feel confident and comfortable because, although I’ve never done it before, it feels good to have done something different. I feel as though it’s something you have to do to make a difference...I encouraged all my friends to vote. I was up since early this morning en-

couraging persons on my Whatsapp, forwarding messages and asking them to get up and go out to vote!”

Having voted several times in the past, a resident related that he found the process of explaining how to vote time consuming. “I was out here very early this morning. I was the first person to vote. It (the voting process) was a little delayed to me because they were explaining the whole process to me over

and over…but I am happy to see some of the youths coming out to vote.”

Approximately 127 polling stations were set up across District 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), to offset the polling day exercise. The polling sites visited by Guyana Times, had observers from the Commonwealth, OAS and Carter Centre were all monitoring the polling day activities.

Soldiers deployed to boost confidence amid rumours

Amid minor skirmishes and rumours of unrest, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) requested the presence of the military to help boost confidence during Monday’s polls.

In a statement the Police said that as a result of expressions of intimidation by members of the electorate, coupled with few incidents in Georgetown, Commissioner of Police Seelall Perdsaud called on the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Chief of Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips, for the support of military in the conduct of Joint GDF/GPF Patrols.

The Chief of Staff later

consented, and patrols were mounted. The Police stated, “The Joint Patrols are intended for the sole purpose of building confidence.”

On Saturday, the Joint Services had assured that it was fully prepared and ready to ensure that the General and Regional Elections are executed in a safe, secure, and stable environment, and that a state of normalcy is maintained throughout and after the election process.

On Friday May 8, the Heads of the Joint Services met for their final operational briefing. Commanders at all levels became clear on their duties and tasks to en-

Businessman,

sure the stability and security of the nation is maintained during the entire election and post election period Currently troops are deployed to all regions across the country and have been urged to maintain their professionalism at all times, and under all circumstances. In addition, they will ensure that their actions are in keeping with the legal framework governing their conduct in Internal Security Operations. The Guyana Defence Force is deployed in all Police Divisions so that, at short notice, they will be ready to assist the Police should the need arise.

5 others arrested for cocaine-in-shrimp bust

ALa Jalousie, West Coast Demerara businessman was among six persons taken into custody following the discovery of more than 48 kilos (100 pounds) of cocaine in frozen seafood at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Sunday evening.

According to reports received, the businessman whose name was given only as “Mohamed” opened fire on several Police ranks after they turned up at his house to arrest him in connection with the cocaine bust. None of the Police ranks were injured, and with the assistance of additional ranks, the businessman was arrested after he surrendered.

The Guyana Police Force

stated that ranks of the Police Narcotics Branch were on duty at the CJIA when they intercepted 51.062kg of cocaine concealed among frozen shrimp that were packed in about 48 parcels for export.

The boxes were about to be loaded onto a Caribbean Airlines Flight destined for the United States of America.

Guyana Times understands that the businessman is a well-known shipper who exports frozen food items.

This is the second interception of a major shipment in weeks. In April, suspected drug trafficker Barry Dataram was busted with over 100kg (225 pounds) of cocaine at his home at Fourth Avenue, Diamond

New Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara.

Three other persons were also arrested during the raid including his teenage reputed wife.

It was reported that a large quantity of ammunition and more than $1 million in cash were also unearthed during the operations.

The cocaine was found in several parts of the house in several packages of frozen seafood suspected to have been prepared for shipment. The four arrested were subsequently charged for the offence and remanded to prison. Dataram and his reputed wife were also slapped with gun and ammunition charges.

Voting in Linden…

Observers hail smooth E-Day in Linden

By UtamU Belle

nternational and local

Iobservers have deemed Monday’s polling day exercise in Linden and other parts of District 10 as “peaceful”, indicating that based on initial reports the process was a smooth one.

After observing various polling stations in Georgetown, Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy in Guyana, Bryan Hunt; British High Commissioner Greg Quinn; Canadian High Commissioner Nicole Giles and Private Sector Commission Chairman Ramesh Persaud visited various polling stations in Linden, shortly after noon.

This newspaper spoke with the group at one of the polling places situated at the Linden Technical Institute (LTI). Hunt indicated that a “very broad observer presence” was maintained throughout the Districts on Election Day, adding that from the US Embassy side, 68 observers were scattered across the 10 Regions of the country, in addition to representatives from the British and Canadian High Commissions.

He said observers were drawn from the Carter Center, Organisation of American States, and the

Caribbean Community (Caricom), among others. “The purpose of the International Observer Mission is to make sure that the polls are operating in the order of Guyanese law,” Hunt stated.

As of noon on Monday, Hunt indicated that the process appeared to be proceeding in an organised fashion. “The process seems to be going smoothly … there was a strong logistical plan in place by the Guyana Elections Commission.

"In the main, we are seeing the polling agents, the parties’ staff all involved in the process, adhering to the rules and regulations that are laid down, so I think thus far we have been fairly uniformly pleased with how the process is going … very pleased by the high level of turnout, a clear interest by the people of Guyana.”

He added that there were no “significant” complaints by residents, noting that one of the main concerns for voters was waiting a while to cast their ballots. “… which is true with any election with a large turnout rate, but I think that was in the main. The principal concern that we’ve heard is that people had to wait … fortunately it seems as though they were very patient … what we’ve heard from the folks

World Bank/IMF

Aweek-long highlevel training on governance for State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) in the Caribbean was launched by the World Bank’s Supporting Economic Management in the Caribbean (SEMCAR) programme.

More than 10 countries are participating in the “SOE Academy” hosted by the University of West Indies and financed by the Government of Canada. State Owned Enterprises across the Caribbean have been established to deliver

here is that they’ve had a reasonably good turnout…”

Hunt said the US Embassy will keep in close contact with GECOM, providing updates on observations in addition to updating the media with a formal report. Quinn said the British will remain more internally focused and are expected to share information with GECOM Commissioner Dr Steve Surujbally.

Good turnout

Meanwhile, Robeson Benn, commenting at the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) office in Linden, on the Election Day atmosphere, noted that during the hours of 7-10, polling day operations were progressing “fairly well”.

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Representative Gerald Whittington told this newspaper that the voting process was time-consuming, while stating that he was satisfied with the turnout.

APNU/AFC’s District 10

Assistant Election Agent

Sandra Adams said all the polling stations across the district were covered by polling agents and there were few complaints. She added that reports were made available to her office every two hours on Monday. Adams indicated that there

were a large percentage of votes cast throughout areas in District 10, which amounted to more than 50 per cent.

“The voters’ turnout was commendable … people turned out early in large numbers … we had a few hiccups early this morning at about 4 o’clock. The polls were opened (to polling agents) at 5 and some of the Presiding Officers I presume were not clear on what their role was and they were rejecting letters of appointment … apart from that everything else has been going smoothly, generally…”, she said.

She noted, however, that at the Christianburg Wismar Secondary School’s polling station, there was an incident in which a son voted under his father’s name and as such, the father upon turning up to vote was not given permission to do so.

“That was a GECOM mistake and we’re still to get it resolved.”

She also made reference to another case where the first name of the father was the middle name of the son which presented some problems with voting.

The total electorate for District 10 was 29, 254; however, Adams said a lot of persons on the list would have died or migrated.

How to become a good politician

As human beings, we do have the ability to build political communities, because we all have something that we can contribute for the betterment of our community or country.

In other words it is our responsibility to create a structured institutional means to enforce justice for everyone.

In my view, a politician should not let religion come in the way. Fairness should be for all regardless of what religion they believe and practise, and not being criticised for being themselves. Every person should have equal access in the political community regardless of their skin colour, gender, ethnicity, and social status.

I should say as well that our chances are very slim if we are not from a rich family, that’s not to say that it is not possible. The important thing though is that we must know why we want to serve in the first place.

If we really want to be a politician, we must practise our public speaking skills. We can do this by speaking at community events etc. Another good thing to do is to speak to the people we meet daily whether that be at work or elsewhere.

Making connections in the community with all kinds of people is another good thing to do, particularly the people who are in the position to help us along the way. For example, we need to keep up with current events. Meaning that we must watch local, national and international news because as politicians we need to stay informed and know what is happening.

You know, a position as such is not for everyone. The key is to be dedicated to the things we are trying to accomplish. Because if we are not willing to put all our energy towards our goal, our chances of succeeding are very slim.

We need to prove to the people that we have the drive and motivation to succeed. And obviously we need to acquire new skills by joining activities that will help us to develop the art of diplomacy.

Another thing I would suggest too is to learn from those who have succeeded. And we can do so by taking some time to read autobiographies written by high officials to get an idea to see where we may fit in and at the same time, we get to learn more about the political process as well. I suggest this only because they are the ones who have won the elections and know exactly what it takes to achieve victory.

As a person who ran before for office, I would suggest starting small. In other words, I would suggest running for a local office first, then progress to something more, then to a national level.

Another thing to consider is to run for class office for those who are still in school. That way it gives them an opportunity to talk to peers to find out about their concerns, because the bottom-line is, it is about experience, but at the same time we have to start somewhere.

For questions, comments or feedback, send them to mcnarine@rogers.com

launches high-level training for Caribbean govt officials

a wide range of essential services to citizens, from electricity and water to education, health, financial services, and public works, among many others, while adhering to principles of good corporate governance, transparency and accountability.

“The World Bank is proud to support this initiative with a cadre of experts and international mentors who can bring international best practices about the potentials and challenges of State Owned Enterprises,” said Kathy Lalazarian,

the World Bank’s Acting Country Representative for Jamaica. “The training is focused on problem solving experience where participants are examining reallife case studies and learning new tools and strategies to tackle a variety of issues such as ownership structure and oversight models, strengthening board of directors, fiscal risks, financial reporting and financial performance assessment,” she added.

The training will be delivered by leading practitioners with a long career

in this field in several countries in Latin America, as well as international experts from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Caribbean Regional Technical Assistance Centre (CARTAC). Each country team will table a major problem of its national SOE sector, and be paired with mentors who are experts in that topic. The goal of the exercise is to create regional solutions to common challenges using a hands-on approach to the enhancement of eco-

nomic management in the region. The 50 participants in the SOE Academy come from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago. The event will also be attended by representatives from four African countries: Ghana, Gambia, Mozambique and the Seychelles. The SEMCAR Programme aims to improve economic management, regional integration and competitiveness in 12 Caribbean countries. The objective is also to contribute to more efficient, effective, accountable, and regionally integrated tax, customs and public financial management institutions, policies, processes and ICT systems. SEMCAR is funded by the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, and is managed by the World Bank and implemented in partnership with the IMF.

tuesday, may 12, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Essequibians vote early

By IndrawattIe natram

Amid a steady downpour, Essequibians came out in their numbers to cast their ballots at the 138 polling stations spread across Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Persons commenced voting as early as 06:01h while others joined the lines to check if their names were on the list. The atmosphere was filled with enthusiasm as first-time voters were excited to exercise their franchise. Some areas were very tense as persons who

said.

PPP/C Representative in Region Two, Alli Baksh when asked about the issue described it as illegal and weak on “GECOM’s part”. He noted, however, that party representatives for PPP/C were present at all polling stations ensure that transparency and accountability.

During visits by this newspaper to several polling stations, representatives from the parties were seen encouraging persons to vote. The polling stations were secured by Rural Constables who supervised the process.

cast their votes wondered which Government will lead Guyana forward.

As news spread of the lack of stamps at leading polling stations in predominately People’s Progressive

There was also full representation of polling agents at the stations.

At Fisher Primary School, Golden Fleece, the process was very smooth with no hiccups. Persons

Party/Civic (PPP/C) areas, the tension rose. Many persons questioned the readiness of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for the 2015 poll, “How can they say they are prepared and the lack of stamp, this is not transparency,” one resident

came out in their numbers, some were bussed in, some cycled and others walked. According to Baksh, Anna Regina Freedom House is monitoring the process. Baksh cast his vote at 06:45h at the Cotton Field Nursery.

He said the process at the polling station was calm with no hiccups, thus far.

Meanwhile, Rebecca Enmore, who was wheeled to the polling station, said she did not want to miss her chance to vote. Enmore said last elections she was ill and did not get to cast her vote. She said she really wanted her vote to be counted as she wanted to be part of the

ed to do this, Guyana is my country and as such, I needed to make the effort even if it took me one hour to reach and I felt ill,” Forde said.

Carol Ann Benjamin, from Suddie Housing Scheme, said she “voted like a boss”. She had no complaints, and said that she would spend the rest of her time monitoring the results.

Arina

Rookmin, who

dynamic change in Guyana. She was assisted to the polling station by her daughters. After voting, Enmore said the process was smooth and she was pleased.

At Suddie Primary, 88-year-old Daisy Petri said her finger was inked around 07:00h, and she was excited to cast her vote. Eighty-two-year-old Joseph Morris Forde, from Marias Lodge, said he was up since 05:00h. He slowly wheeled his way to the Marias Lodge Polling Station, unassisted. This is the sixth time Joseph has voted, and he said he was happy to be part of the decision process. “I want-

travelled from Georgetown to cast her vote, said she was “pretty” nervous but was guided by GECOM staff. Rookmin said she said her prayers before she cast her vote. Meanwhile, up to press time as polls closed, G Division (Essequibo Coast/ Islands) Commander Kevin Adonis said that Region Two and the Essequibo Islands remained peaceful and reports from ranks indicated no hiccups during polling. Adonis said ranks continued to be vigilant and the riot unit officers were patrolling the streets.

Voting on East Coast Demerara… No hiccups as villagers cast ballots in Nabaclis, Golden Grove

On Monday morning, electorates crowded the Golden Grove and Nabaclis polling stations on the East Coast of Demerara, to cast their ballots for the party of their choice that will govern Guyana for the next five years.

At Nabaclis, villagers were seen lined up as early as around 05:00h at polling stations awaiting their opening in the area.

There were no murmurs of dissatisfaction from voters as the polling stations opened promptly and the lines moved quickly, as voters made their way through the process smoothly. However, there were others who expressed the view that the process was talking too long. Guyana Times was on location during the process, and viewed firsthand the views expressed by voters. Overall, the polling agents worked efficiently and effectively in guiding and processing the electorate.

The crowd that had gathered at the polling stations before opening time was a mix of persons of varying age groups, with the majority of those in the younger group showing up later in the morning to cast their ballots. Many of them remained at the polling stations, milling around to ensure that their friends and other family members were able to cast their vote successfully.

One elderly woman from Nabaclis; aunt Eileen, was heard asking persons along the road whether they had cast their vote, as she made her way to her polling station at the Nabaclis Backdam. She told Guyana Times that she was quite happy with the process, stating that everything went smoothly. Ms Eileen told this publication that she has never missed an opportunity to vote at elections and does not believe that an-

yone should. It was the older folks who showed more enthusiasm for the voting process and what it meant for them as a people. One such voter, Dawn Ward told this publication that she feels quite privileged to have voted, stating that it gives the people the power to decide who they want to govern them. She said that she has voted at every election she has been exposed to, saying that she hears the comments of persons regarding their opinion of the uselessness of the activity but she equivocated that it was her constitutional right either way.

Another resident told this newspaper of his unfortunate situation – his inability to vote, through his own irresponsibility. He related that he had registered to vote when he was in the interior and had never taken the time to have his name transferred to the polling station to his place of residence now. Thus, he was unable to vote on Monday.

Other residences were also berated for what was called their “slack” behaviour as they turned up at various polling stations checking the list of names for theirs only on Monday morning. Some only found out on Sunday that they could not vote due to their names not being on the list. At Golden Grove, the voting situation was the same as Nabaclis, but with a much larger turnout of the electorate. The village’s main road was overrun with persons on Monday morning as it appeared that the entire village had come out to cast their ballots.

The crowd of anxious voters was disposed of at two polling stations at the Golden Grove Primary School by polling staff who worked expeditiously and professionally in the execution of their duties.

Foulis man hangs self with bed sheet

– had earlier failed to find name on OLE

As persons in the quiet East Coast Demerara community of Foulis were busy exercising their right to vote at the Regional and General Elections on Monday, the village was thrown into shock and mourning as a man in his thirties decided it was time to end his life.

Dinesh Badrinath, 35, was found hanging from the rafter of his two-storey home at Lot 404 10th Street, Foulis, after launching himself from his bed with a bed sheet wrapped around his neck. He was discovered by his wife who ventured into the upper flat of the building at around 13:45h.

This publication, whose representatives were in the area providing coverage of the elections at the time the news started to spread about the suicide, was able to confirm through relatives of the man’s actions. He had earlier visited a polling station in 9th Street, but his name was not on the Official List of Electors (OLE). Instead of checking the other polling stations in the area, Badrinath ventured home and hanged himself. According to his father, Jewan Nath Badrinath, his son never suggested any suicidal tendencies and seemed

normal.

The father confirmed that his son was never registered to vote and he also did not cast a ballot in 2011, as he was not on the list of voters during that election as well.

“I does tell he all the time ‘go and get register’ but he never listen, so me nah know why he go and check. He never register to vote.”

The elder Badrinauth, and other relatives who had gathered at the home, were baffled as to the reason for such actions by Dinesh. The man’s older brother had also committed suicide last June when he ingested a

poisonous substance. Only Saturday last, the family observed his one year ritual.

A close friend of the family, popularly known as “Veera” in the community, told this newspaper that “this man was never suicidal. I ain’t really understand wha go in he head.”

After the man was cut down from the rafter by his wife, detectives suggested he be rushed for medical treatment, but he was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

Dinesh Badrinauth leaves to mourn his father, wife, son, brother and sister.

Cooper keen to rebound in CPL

Trinidad and Tobago

Red Steel all-rounder

Kevon Cooper is looking forward to the upcoming Limacol Caribbean Premier League Twenty20 as an opportunity to remind the world what he is capable of in the shortest format of the game.

Cooper, who has played T20 cricket for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League and with Bangladesh T20 franchise Chittagong Kings, said he is hoping to take his cricket career to the next level as he tries to break into the West Indies team.

The 26-year-old allrounder was dropped from the Rajasthan Royals side for the 2015 IPL but has been keeping busy captaining his home team Queen’s Park Cricket Club in the domestic T&T Cricket Board competitions. So far the Parkites are leading the three-day league and 50 over Sunday League and were runners-up in the domestic T20.

“I have been working really hard on my batting since the 50-overs (Regional Super50) and I got an opportunity to captain Queen’s Park this year and the guys have been doing well and I am also performing,” said

Cooper.

“Unfortunately I missed out on the IPL this year but that is behind me now. I am really looking forward to the CPL and trying to break into the West Indies team and

added. Cooper also believes the Red Steel have a good chance of going all the way in this year’s CPL,

He also feels the T&Tbased franchise will have extra motivation to win,

get a chance in that squad,” he explained.

“It is always good to play in front of plenty people and remind the world of what I can do. I made my debut for Rajasthan Royals in 2010 and it was good experience for me. I really enjoyed those moments and hopefully I can bring back some of those moments in my career,” he

with the semi-finals and final scheduled to be played at their home ground at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain from July 23-26.

The Red Steel also have home matches against the St Lucia Zouks (July 14), defending champions Barbados Tridents (July 16), St Kitts and Nevis Patriots (July 18) and Jamaica

Pele released from hospital after prostate surgery

Brazilian football legend Pele was released from hospital Saturday following prostate surgery, doctors said, after his latest health scare.

Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo said the 74-year-old was discharged at 6:30 pm (2130 GMT). He was treated at the same facility last year for a severe urinary tract infection.

The hospital released a picture of a smiling Pele wearing sportswear and waving at the camera with his partner, Marcia Cibele Aoki.

The only player to win three World Cup titles underwent a surgical procedure four days ago known as a transurethral resection of the prostate, which is performed for enlargement of the prostate that causes difficulty urinating.

“Examination results revealed that this is a benign hyperplasia, and therefore there was no incidence of tumors,” a medical report indicated Friday.

Media reports said the surgery for an enlarged prostate -- a common condition in aging men -- was aimed at preventing a repeat of the urinary infection that sent Pele to the hospital last year.

The global sports icon has suffered a number of health crises in recent months.

He underwent surgery for kidney stones in November, and then came down with an infection that required treatment

in a hospital intensive care unit for several days.

His one remaining kidney -- the other was removed following a rib injury during his playing days -- stopped working and had to be treated with dialysis.

He has also operated on the femur in November 2012.

Pele was named Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee in 1999.

The athlete, whose real name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento, is widely regarded as the greatest football player of all time. (Jamaica Observer)

Second

Belgian player dies of cardiac arrest

Tallawahs (July 19).

“Every team would like to play in front of a packed stadium at home and here in Trinidad every game is usually sold out,” said Cooper.

“I think the people in Trinidad will welcome the overseas players. This year we have Johan Botha and one of the best players in the world and one of the greatest all-rounders in the world in Jacques Kallis,” Cooper explained.

Chennai Super Kings allrounder Dwayne Bravo as well as West Indies batsman Darren Bravo is also in the Red Steel line-up along with Pakistan’s Kamran Akmal and leg-spinner Samuel Badree.

“There is always good support at home and there is always a lot of energy and vibes. We won all our games at home last year so we are looking forward to it and it will give us something to look forward to knowing that if we reach the business end of the tournament, all the matches will be at our home venue.

“But having said that we still need to play well at the start of the campaign to give ourselves a good chance of making the semi-finals,” Cooper added. (Trinidad Express)

Lower-league footballer Tim Nicot has become the second Belgian player to die of cardiac arrest in the past two weeks.

The 23-year-old leftback for fourth-tier WilrijkBeerschot was playing in a tournament in Hemiksem when he collapsed on Friday.

He was placed in an induced coma and his club confirmed his death on Monday.

In late April, Lokeren de-

teenth selfie with a fan”.

Three years ago Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba, then 23, suffered a cardiac arrest in an FA Cup game with Tottenham. He was “in effect dead” for 78 minutes but survived, although he never played again.

Nicot’s team-mate Wesley Snoeys said: “So many questions. Always the same question comes up: why why why? You left

fender Gregory Mertens, 24, died after collapsing during a reserve game.

A club statement said Nicot “fought like a bear” and was the “idol of our supporters”.

It described him as “always in a good mood, always making time for an ump-

us far too soon. I will never forget you. Forever in my heart.”

Jef Snyders, another Wilrijk-Beerschot player, added: “Football will never be the same anymore. Rest in peace mate.” (BBC Sport)

Messi among attacking stars in Argentina squad

Looking for their first Copa America title since 1993, Argentina have a talented squad heading to Chile.

Barcelona star Lionel Messi, Premier League leading goalscorer Sergio Aguero of Manchester City and Juventus striker Carlos Tevez are all included in Argentina’s Copa America squad.

Argentina, who were runners-up at the World Cup last year, will face Uruguay, Paraguay and Jamaica in Group B of the Copa – which starts in June.

Angel Di Maria has struggled for form at Manchester United but has been named in the squad.

There are several other Premier League players, including Manchester City’s Pablo Zabaleta, Manchester United’s Marcos Rojo and Tottenham’s Erik Lamela.

With their attacking talent, Argentina are

among the teams fancied to go all the way in Chile.

They are 14-time champions, but the last of those successes came in 1993.

Squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Mariano Andujar (Napoli), Nahuel Guzman (Tigres), Agustin Marchesin (Santos Laguna), Sergio Romero (Sampdoria).

Defenders: Milton Casco (Newell’s), Martin

Demichelis (Manchester City), Federico Fernandez (Swansea City), Ezequiel Garay (Zenit), Lucas Orban (Valencia), Nicolas Otamendi (Valencia), Marcos Rojo (Manchester United), Facundo Roncaglia (Genoa), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City).

Midfielders: Ever Banega (Sevilla), Lucas Biglia (Lazio), Angel Di Maria (Manchester United), Fernando Gago (Boca), Erik Lamela (Tottenham), Federico Mancuello (Independiente), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Javier Pastore (PSG), Roberto Pereyra (Juventus), Enzo Perez (Valencia), Maxi Rodriguez (Newell’s).

Forwards: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Nicolas Gaitan (Benfica), Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli), Ezequiel Lavezzi (PSG), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Carlos Tevez (Juventus). (Digicel

Jamaica’s sprint sensation eyes World Championships

Emerging sprint star

Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson, says hard work has paid off allowing her to become the world’s leading sprinter following two recent 100 metre wins.

Thompson announced herself to the world by speeding to victory in 10.97

able win.

“I was feeling good, I know I could win so I just go out there to execute as best as I could. It wasn’t one of the best starts, but I just didn’t panic, I just went on and executed,” said Thompson who turns 23 next month.

“I knew the names in

seconds at the Jamaica Invitational on Saturday after clocking a world leading 10.92 seconds at the Utech Classics a few weeks ago.

“No, not easy. It’s been months and days of training, so it is the hard work that is paying off now. I started training late September,” said Thompson.

“I train with Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce; she helps to motivate me a lot”.

On Saturday, the 22 year old Jamaican sprinter recovered from a slow start to lead Commonwealth Games champion Blessing Okagbare of Nigeria and American star Allyson Felix at the half-way mark before pulling away for a comfort-

the field were big, so I just didn’t try to get nervous. I just went out there and delivered.”

Thompson has credited her improvement to Stephen Francis, coach of MVP track club.

She has now set her sights on a medal at the World Championship, which will be held at the Bird’s Nest Stadium in Beijing, China, in August.

“I see myself on that medal podium in Beijing,” said Thompson.

“All I need to do now is to put in a little more extra work and just do the things I normally do, nothing new, just some more work”. (CMC)

Application open for new Olympic sports in Tokyo

Japanese Olympic organizers opened the application process Monday for sports hoping to be added to the 2020 Tokyo Games.

The Tokyo organizing committee launched a twostage procedure that gives the host city a chance to add one or more sports to the program.

Baseball and softball, which have been off the Olympic program since the 2008 Beijing Games, are considered favorites because of their popularity in Japan. Other possibilities include squash, karate, skateboarding and surfing.

In all, 33 international sports federations have been invited to apply by a June 8 deadline.

Applications will be examined by a special “additional event program” panel, with a shortlist of candidates selected on June 22.

No England recall for Kevin Pietersen

Kevin Pietersen has been told he will not be recalled by England despite scoring a career-best 326 not out for Surrey, BBC Sport understands.

The 34-year-old, sacked by England in February 2014, hit his maiden triple century against Leicestershire.

Pietersen met Andrew Strauss, England’s new director of cricket, on Monday and was told he would not play for his country again.

He said earlier he was “desperate” to return to the international game.

BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew broke the story on Monday evening and said: “In truth, it’s

not a surprise. Pietersen has certainly scored the runs but for those who decided his time with England was over, his ability was not the issue.

“Yet you can only admire the tenacity of the man who, knowing this meeting was scheduled and surely what the outcome was likely to be, scored 326 not out.”

Earlier, and speaking before the meeting with Strauss, South African-born batsman Pietersen had said: “What more can I do? All I can do is score runs. I’m incredibly proud of how I played under pressure.

“People were saying on social media that this would be a career-defining innings for me and they were ask-

Brady banned for

ing me if I was ready for it. I knew there was a lot of pressure on me and I was feeling it.”

Strauss, a former England captain, will hold his first news conference in his new role at 12:00 BST on Tuesday.

On Saturday, he succeeded Paul Downton, who was instrumental in Pietersen’s sacking.

In July 2014, Strauss apologised for making an offensive remark about his former team-mate during a live television broadcast.

Pietersen last played for England in the final Test of a 5-0 Ashes series defeat in Australia in January 2014.

He was sacked a month later and released an auto-

4

Finalists will make a presentation in Tokyo in August, and the organizing committee will make its recommendation to the International Olympic Committee by Sept. 30.

The IOC will make the final decision in August 2016 at its meeting in Rio de Janeiro.

The Tokyo committee said the bidding competition would be “open and fair.” It said the additional event or events should have a “focus on youth appeal” and engage the Japanese population and a worldwide audience.

The new procedure stems from the IOC’s “Olympic Agenda 2020” reform package approved in December.

IOC President Thomas Bach is looking to bring more flexibility to the sports program, which currently features 28 sports and about 300 medal events and 10,000 athletes. (ESPN)

biography in October criticising several players, saying there was a “bullying culture” in the squad. But after the 2015 World Cup - where England lost four of their six matches - incoming England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Colin Graves said Pietersen could be recalled if he impressed in the county game.

Pietersen reduced his Indian Premier League commitments for 2015 and re-signed for Surrey.

Monday’s innings, which came off 373 balls and included 34 fours and 14 sixes, took Surrey to 528-9 after two days, in reply to Leicestershire’s 292 all out. (BBC Sport)

matches over ‘deflategate’ findings

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has been suspended for four games by the National Football League after an inquiry into under-inflated balls.

Brady, 37, will not receive any pay during his ban, while the team have been fined $1m (£642,000) for a scandal that has become known as ‘Deflategate’.

The NFL said on Monday the club were sanctioned after “failure to cooperate in the subsequent investigation”.

Last week, Brady said the findings did not taint his side’s Super Bowl win.

The NFL investigated claims the Patriots had deflated match balls to give themselves an advantage in January’s 45-7 play-off victory over

Indianapolis Colts in Boston, which sent them to the Super Bowl.

According to reports, 11 of the 12 game balls they provided for the rainaffected match were under-inflated by about two pounds per square inch, giv-

ing Brady more grip in the cold and wet conditions.

Brady was “at least generally aware of inappropriate activities”, according to the independent Wells Report. He is considered to be one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, winning the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player award three times.

As well as their fine, the Patriots will forfeit a 2016 first-round draft pick after “violating the NFL policy on the integrity of the game”.

Dressing room attendant Jim McNally and equipment assistant John Jastremski have also been indefinitely suspended without pay by the club. (BBC Sport)

Swansea top Arsenal in dramatic fashion

Arsenal missed the opportunity to move level on points with Manchester City in second place in the Premier League as Swansea snatched a dramatic late win thanks to Bafetimbi Gomis’s header.

The Swans’ disciplined six-man midfield frustrated the hosts in a goalless first half.

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski made a flurry of saves to deny Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey among others as the Gunners attacked relentlessly after the break.

But with less than five minutes left, substitute Gomis nodded in - as goalline technology showed Arsenal keeper David Ospina had failed to palm the ball away.

That gave Swansea a first league double against Arsenal since the 1981-82 season, after Gomis had also scored the winner when Garry Monk’s side beat the Gunners 2-1 in November.

The hosts remain three points behind Manchester City in the Premier League table, albeit with a game in hand.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was able to name the same team for a fifth successive game for the

first time since 1994, with Ramsey recovering from an injury suffered in the win against Hull.

It was the Wales midfielder who created the

regularly dropping deeper to aid the effort to frustrate Arsenal.

The hosts looked more dangerous after the break as Chile forward Alexis

put Swansea under intense pressure.

A brilliant double save thwarted Sanchez and Theo Walcott and the Poland international’s efforts were

first chance of the match, his arcing fourth-minute cross headed over by striker Olivier Giroud.

That proved to be a rare opening in a tight first half, as Swansea stifled their opponents.

An injury to striker Nelson Oliveira meant Gylfi Sigurdsson started in an unfamiliar central attacking role, the Iceland midfielder

Sanchez skipped clear in the box and shot into the sidenetting.

However, Arsenal’s first shot on target did not come until the hour mark, though Giroud’s low effort was comfortably held by Fabianski.

He made an excellent save moments later to deny Cazorla from 12 yards, before blocking an attempt from Ramsey as the Gunners

then rewarded with a dramatic winner, as Jefferson Montero crossed for Gomis to head in at the back post. At first glance, it seemed Ospina had saved from the France striker but, with the aid of goal-line technology, referee Kevin Friend awarded the goal to seal an improbable victory for Swansea. (BBC Sport)

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Gatlin eager for big Bolt showdown

Justin Gatlin ruled the track last season in a very Usain Bolt-like fashion: 18 wins in 18 races.

Impressive and all, but comes with a tiny caveat: Bolt never lined up in the lane next to Gatlin last summer. The Jamaican worldrecord holder took time off to heal nagging injuries since there were no major meets.

Now bring on the planet’s fastest sprinter, though their first 100-meter showdown may not take place until August at the world championships in Beijing.

The wait is fine with Gatlin — builds intrigue. It also gives the 33-year-old American more time to get up to speed in the 200 as well, because he’s going after both of Bolt’s world titles.

In new shoes, too, after returning to Nike, the company that dropped him after his doping offense in 2006 led to a four-year ban.

“Usain’s obviously the gold standard,” said Gatlin, who kicks off the defense of his 100-meter Diamond League crown in Doha, Qatar, on Friday. “I can’t sit here and belittle him and say, ‘Hey man, he’s not the guy.’ Because he is the guy. He’s broken a lot of records people thought were unbreakable.”

Gatlin’s certainly not intimidated by Bolt, who’s captured gold in the 100 and 200 at the last two Olympics. After all, it was Gatlin who handed Bolt a rare loss at a meet in Rome two years ago, when he out-leaned Bolt at the finish.

“I’m aware of the talent that Bolt brings to the track and I’ll be more cau-

tious than I have fear,” said Gatlin, who took gold at the 2004 Athens Games and bronze eight years later in London. “I know what it takes, focus-wise, to be able to say, ‘I know what I need to do to be on top.’”

Gatlin won’t run the 100 at the U.S. championships next month in Eugene, Oregon. No reason to — being the reigning 100-meter champion of the Diamond League, he has an automatic bye into the event at worlds. That allows him to dabble in the 200, which he won at the 2005 world championships.

“I’d like to go out there and experience what it’s like to double again,” said Gatlin, a former University of Tennessee standout who trains in Florida. “I haven’t doubled in a long time.

“But that’s going to be a lot of running.”

Fast running, too.

After all, Gatlin thinks the world record in the 100

could fall in Beijing, especially with Bolt returning to form. It’s a lightning-quick track Bolt knows intimately well after breaking the record inside the Bird’s Nest during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In Germany a year later, Bolt toppled the world mark again, lowering the record to where it currently stands at 9.58 seconds.

“You have to have the mindset to say, ‘I want to run 9.5 or 9.6’ and go achieve it. You can’t say, ‘I want to get the gold just by beating the guy next to me,’” explained Gatlin, whose fastest time is 9.77, which he set last September.

To get even leaner in the offseason, Gatlin cut down on carbs, including pasta and bread. This after dropping cheeseburgers and chocolate from his diet the year before.

Simply the price to catch up to Bolt. And while Gatlin

would welcome facing Bolt before world championships, he doesn’t envision a scenario where that will happen.

“When it comes to being the man, and if you feel like you’re not 100 percent ready, you’re not going to race anybody who’s going to be a threat,” said Gatlin, who was on the U.S. 400 relay team that beat Bolt and his Jamaican buddies at the World Relays in the Bahamas on May 2. “You’re going to race them on your terms. That’s a wise business decision.”

Recently, Bolt called out Gatlin’s American teammate Tyson Gay by saying Gay’s reduced ban for cooperating with investigators was “the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard,” in an interview with Runner’s World magazine published in The Times of London newspaper. Gay received a backdated one-year suspension last year after testing positive for a steroid at nationals in 2013. He was given the reduced penalty because he provided evidence to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency that led to an eight-year ban for his former coach, Jon Drummond.

Although Gatlin had his own run-in with doping, Bolt didn’t admonish him. Gatlin served his time after testing positive for excessive testosterone in 2006.

“I think, in a weird way, Bolt respects that I’ve been gone for four years and was able to work hard. I’m just trying to run,” Gatlin said. “I’m coming here to run to the best of my abilities.

“For that, he hasn’t spoken out against me. I respect him for that.”

VCB, Fraser-Pryce lead 10 for Shanghai Diamond League

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

World and Olympic champions ShellyAnn FraserPryce and Veronica Campbell-Brown are

among 10 Jamaicans on the provisional entry lists for the second meeting of the 2015 IAAF Diamond League in Shanghai this weekend (May 17).

Fraser-Pryce and Campbell-Brown are down to face off in the women’s 100 metres. Another Jamaican, Schillonie Calvert, has been listed to compete.

The race also includes Americans, Tori Bowie and Muna Lee.

Michelle-Lee Ahye of Trinidad and Tobago, Blessing Okagbare of Nigeria and the Chinese pair of Yujia Tao and Yingli

Veronica Campbell-Brown

Wei are expected to complete the field.

The men’s 200 metres will also features three Jamaicans in Nickel

Ashmeade, Rasheed Dwyer and Julian Forte.

The Jamaicans will face off with Alonso Edwards of Panama, American Curtis Mitchell and Churandy Martina of the Netherlands. Jamaican Kaliese Spencer, who won the Diamond League women’s 400-metre hurdles title, will also compete in Shanghai.

The other Jamaicans on the provisional entry lists are Kimberly Williams in the women’s Triple Jump and Jason Morgan in the men’s discus throw and Andrew Riley in the men’s 110-metre hurdles. (Digicel SportsMax)

Windies Women rearing...

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Sri Lanka, in contrast, would create daylight between itself and India at the bottom end of the table if it wins the series.

“We are excited to play West Indies in our home town and the team is looking forward to the start of the series,” said Sri Lanka cap-

tain Chamari Atapaththu.

“The ICC Women’s Championship is already proving to be a good initiative for the women’s game and the structure will see each team compete each other in a home and away series which is very important to all teams and will guar-

antee at least 21 ODI games for each team”.

The top four sides from this tournament will qualify automatically for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017, while the bottom four sides will play in the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier.

West Indies (from):

Powell overwhelmed by Jamaica’s response to his return

Asafa Powell, who ran the fastest 100 metres in the world on Saturday, says he was overwhelmed by the response from supporters in Jamaica to his triumphant return.

More than 25,000 people broke into prolonged cheers as Powell sped across the finish line at the Jamaica International Invitational at the National Stadium.

The crown went wild as the numbers 9.84 flashed on the in-field clock, signaling the return to form of the former world record holder.

“Just to run in front of this crowd is just great. I don’t even care about the time. Being here and getting this reception from my people is just overwhelming,”

said an elated Powell,”

“Just to come out here and give them their money’s worth and just for them to show their appreciation, no regrets.”

Powell, 32, silenced a strong field that included American Ryan Bailey who was booed for his ‘throat-cutting’ gesture toward Usain Bolt after anchoring the US to victory in the 4x100m at the IAAF World Relays in The Bahamas last week.

The Jamaica sprinter was quick off the blocks and powered home the fastest in five years and the 84th time he has dipped below the 10-second barrier.

Saturday night’s run was the first time he was competing on Jamaican soil since

serving a six month ban for using an illegal substance.

“This is absolutely huge for everyone that supported Asafa, to see him come back to this level. We knew he was in good shape. He ran a real nice time in Guadeloupe on a dead track and into a headwind, so we knew something special could happen,” said Paul Doyle, Powell’s agent.

“You could hear from the crowd and you could almost feel his elation. With everything that he has been through, and we have all been through as a team, and for Jamaica to see one of their heroes go through what he had to go through, I think it lifted everybody”. (CMC)

James overruled Cleveland Coach David Blatt’s idea for a lastsecond inbounds play and drained a jumper from the corner at the buzzer to give the Cavaliers an 86-84 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Sunday, evening the Eastern Conference semifinal series at 2-2.

During a stoppage while officials were reviewing a play, Blatt designed a play that had James taking the ball out. The four-time NBA MVP has been in enough pressure situations that he vetoed his coach.

“I was supposed to take the ball out,” James said. “I told Coach there was no way I’m taking the ball out unless I could shoot it over the backboard and go in. So I told him, ‘Have somebody else take the ball out.’ The play that was drawn up, I scratched it. I just told Coach, ‘Just give me the ball. We’re either going to go into overtime or I’m going to win it for us.”‘

James, playing the final quarter on a sprained left ankle, finished with 25 points to help the Cavaliers win in another wild finish, returning the favor after Chicago took Game 3 on Derrick Rose’s banked 3-pointer at the buzzer.

This time, James was whistled for an offensive foul when he elbowed Mike Dunleavy Jr., and Rose scored on a driving layup to tie the game with 9.4 seconds left. Blatt tried to call a timeout but didn’t have one, and assistant Tyronn Lue alertly pulled him off the court.

Then, following an ani-

beater

mated break, James ended it with the 21-foot jumper over Jimmy Butler, setting off a wild celebration by Cleveland’s players who pinned James to the scorer’s table.

Game 5 of the best-of-seven series is Tuesday night in Cleveland.

James rolled his left ankle in the third quarter but fought off the injury. He

Rose scored 31 points for Chicago, which was playing without Pau Gasol, out because of a strained left hamstring. His status for Game 5 is in question.

Clippers 128, Rockets 95 DeAndre Jordan scored 26 points, surviving Houston’s intentional-foul fest in the first half, and Los Angeles won at home to take a 3-1 lead and put Houston

committed eight turnovers and struggled again from the field, hitting 10 of 30 shots after going 8 for 25 in Game 3. But he had 14 rebounds, eight assists and a shot that gave Cleveland fans some comfort after Rose broke their hearts Friday night.

“There’s nothing you can do about it,” Rose said of James’ jumper. “He hit a great shot. He’s a hell of a player. We just have to make sure that if we’re in that position again, just make sure that we force him out a little bit more or make someone else get the ball.”

Red Bull say they will quit F1 unless Audi join forces with them

end.

Red Bull say they will pull out of Formula 1 if either they cannot get a competitive engine or Audi do not join forces with the team.

Red Bull are frustrated with partner Renault’s failure to master the hybrid engines introduced into F1 last year.

Motorsport adviser Helmut Marko said Red Bull were interested in doing a deal that would see Audi enter F1.

“If we don’t have a competitive engine in the near future, then either Audi is coming or we are out,” said Marko.

But he denied Red Bull had already been in formal talks with the German company, which is part of the Volkswagen Group.

Marko told BBC Sport: “There are so many rumours. Officially there was no request or talks. The VW Group first has to sort out who will be the new chief of support, who will run the brand of VW, and when they have sorted all these things maybe then they can think about what they are doing in motorsport.

“I was on the phone but not to the people you think.”

Like all teams, Red Bull have a contractual commitment to race

in F1 until 2020. They also have a contract with Renault at least until the end of the 2016 season.

F1 commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

on the brink of elimination in the Western Conference semifinals.

Jordan made 14 of 34 free throws, attempting an NBA playoff-record 28 in the first half, and had 17 rebounds. Blake Griffin added 21 points, J.J. Redick had 18 points, and Chris Paul finished with 15 points and 12 assists.

The Clippers can advance to the conference finals for the first time in franchise history with a victory in Game 5 Tuesday night in Houston. (Portland Press Herald)

Marko’s remarks are a reference to a power struggle taking place at the very top of the VW Group, which also has Porsche, Lamborghini, Bugatti, Skoda and Seat among its brands.

Uncertainty continues to surround the senior management of Audi as a replacement for Piech has not yet been announced. His two nieces were appointed to the board to replace him and his wife,

Reliability problems mean Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo has already used four engines this season - which is as many as each driver is allowed to use throughout the year.

Red Bull, whose other driver

Ferdinand Piech, who had led the German giant for more than 20 years, resigned as chairman last month.

The 78-year-old was a staunch opponent of any of VW’s brands entering F1, partly because of his personal antipathy towards

who resigned at the same time.

Senior sources in the German car industry believe Audi chairman Rupert Stadler is keen on an F1 entry, but that idea was vetoed in January by Piech.

The team had further trouble with their Renault engines at the Spanish Grand Prix last week-

Daniil Kvyat has also suffered engine failures, know it is inevitable they will be hit by grid penalties for using extra engines.

Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, by contrast, have used only one engine for all five races so far. (BBC Sport)

Queens Park Rangers have begun legal proceedings against the Football League a day after a 6-0 thrashing by Manchester City sealed their relegation from England’s top flight.

“QPR challenges the legality of the Football League’s Championship Financial Fair Play Rules and any charge against QPR (if any) for breach of FFP Rules shall not be commenced pending the outcome of that challenge,” a club statement said.

QPR announced losses of 9.8 million pounds in March, although 60 million pounds of loans were written off by owner Tony Fernandes and other shareholders -possibly bringing them into conflict with FFP rules.

“The proceedings are confidential in nature and neither party is entitled to comment upon the proceedings until the independent arbitral panel has delivered its decision,” the statement added.

QPR will start next season in the Championship having lasted just one year in the Premier League. (Reuters)

Nervy Sunrisers survive Miller blitz

David Warner continued to carry his team forward in the tournament on the back of his own personal form, his sixth half-century this season laying the foundation of Sunrisers Hyderabad’s fifth win in six matches that helped them catch up with Rajasthan Royals on the points table.

But not before David Miller gave them a brief scare by hitting first four balls of Ishant Sharma’s last over for 6, 6, 0 and 4, bringing the equation

down to 12 off two balls. He missed the penultimate ball, but hit the last one for a six again, exposing how poor that over had been. Or how poorly Kings XI Punjab’s batsmen had fared on course of their seventh consecutive loss.

Ishant was the first person to embrace Miller after a scintillating 89 that included nine sixes, but Sunrisers knew it should have never come that close after how the first 34 overs of the game had panned out, with Warner’s 81 lead-

ing the way.

During the course of his innings, Warner went past AB de Villiers’ tournament tally first, overtook Ajinkya Rahane as the leading runscorer, and then became the first batsman this IPL season to cross 500 runs. He also crossed the 1000run mark for Sunrisers, the second batsman after Shikhar Dhawan to do so.

Warner’s energy rubbed on to the rest of his teammates. Left-arm spinner Bipul Sharma, playing only his third game this sea-

Lens Craft Optical/EBFA U-13 league… James’ double helps Herstelling to pole position

Herstelling Raiders’ Shoran James scored a double to lead his team to victory when the Lens Craft Optical spon-

the 3rd minute to open proceedings while doubling the advantage on the stroke of half time.

Mocha was never able

sored East Bank Football Association Under-13 League continued over the weekend at the Grove Community centre ground, East Bank Demerara.

James, who now leads all goal scorers, was dynamite yet again in shaping another win for his team which defeated Mocha Champs 3-0.

James hit the target in

to threaten the Herstelling Raiders despite playing a better second half.

With the win, Herstelling have now taken over the top spot on the table with 12 points from five matches while Mocha dropped one position down to sixth.

Meanwhile Kuru Kururu Warriors thumped Craig 4-2 to move to fifth in the

standings.

While this was the first win for the Warriors in four encounters it was Craig’s fourth successive loss. Kevon Scott led the Warriors with a hat-trick, the fourth of the league to date.

His first was netted in the 10th minute to hand the Warriors the lead but Craig’ Jadon for the responded in the 20th minute to level the score. But before the half time whistle, Scott converted his second goal in the 25th minute to restore the Warriors’ advantage.

It was an even game once again in the 40th minute when Shaquan Lawson of Craig blasted the nets. However, the lads from Kuru Kururu never relented and in the spirit of true warriors once again restored the advantage; once again it was Scott who would be the hero with his third goal of the game with five minutes to game time.

Not taking any chances with Craig, the insurance goal came off the boot of Dwight Noble in the final minute of the game, the 60th much to the delight of the Warriors who have now moved one position up to 5th while Craig remains at the bottom of the table.

the Powerplay, but as the spinners found some help, Warner let Henriques push on for the next six overs, while scoring 14 runs himself off 15 balls in that period.

He stepped on the accelerator in the 13th over, smashing Axar Patel for a couple of sixes, the first one of which brought up his fifty. Fifty-eight runs came off five overs but just when Sunrisers looked set for 200, Warner mistimed a punch to midwicket. However, the follow-

ing batsmen ensured the scored reached a challenging 185.

Kings XI made a sprightly start, with M Vijay hitting a six and two fours off Trent Boult’s first over, but the innings went pearshaped with the introduction of spin. Bipul removed both the openers, Boult edged out Glenn Maxwell with a rising delivery and Kings XI could only score 21 runs in the five overs after eighth. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

son, struck twice in three balls to remove the Kings XI Punjab openers, before Moises Henriques’ 3 for 16 tightened the screws in the middle overs and left Miller, who walked in at No. 5, with too many to get. By the time Miller started teeing off in the 14th over, the required rate was already close to 15 an over.

Sunrisers’ innings had suffered from similar dips but they never lasted more than a couple of overs. Warner and Dhawan blazed away to add 56 in

Windies Women rearing to go against Sri Lanka

Captain Merissa Aguilleira says West Indies women cricketers are rearing to go against Sri Lanka when the two sides meet in round three of the ICC Women’s Championship, which starts in Colombo on Wednesday.

The Windies women, without some of their experienced players, have just completed a training camp in the Sri Lankan capital and are brimming with confidence ahead of the series.

The series includes four ODIs but only the final three matches scheduled for 15, 18 and 20 May will count towards the eight-team ICC Women’s Championship.

“We are determined to do well here because, coming out of our series loss in Australia, it is very important for us to gain points in this series to continue to compete for a top spot in the ICC Women’s Championship rankings,” said Aguilleira.

“The team arrived in Sri

Lanka a few days ago and had a successful training camp ahead of the start of the series which gave us an opportunity to get acclimatised to the Sri Lankan conditions”.

The West Indies will once again be pinning its hopes on Stafanie Taylor, the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year in 2012.

The 23-year-old Jamaican will be the highest-ranked batter, bowler and all-rounder from either side in the series.

Taylor is ranked sixth in the Reliance ICC Women’s ODI Player Rankings for Batters, while she tops the Reliance ICC Women’s ODI Player Rankings for Bowlers as well as Reliance ICC Women’s ODI Player Rankings for All-rounders.

“It is more humid than we are accustomed to but we have adjusted very quickly. The girls are coming off the domestic season in the West Indies and are ready

and rearing to go,” said the Windies women captain.

“Although we have some of our experienced players absent due to injury, the

GCC dominant in Woodpecker Products Ladies League

– Hikers come from behind in 2nd Division Men’s league

Some of the action between

The match was almost like a carbon copy of their first encounter, where All

Greys used their superior experience and tactics to get out to a 2-0 lead through a double form Sheldon Corlette. The tide slowly turned in the second half as experience succumbed to youth and GCC drew level through goals from Patrick Edghil and Michael Craig.

The only other men’s match of the weekend saw an opportunistic Old Fort side take an early lead against Hikers. Old Fort led for the majority of the match, after taking the early lead through Trolex Young.

However, the Old Fort defence held strong until the third quarter, when Hikers drew level after which there was no stopping them as they scored three more unanswered goals on their way to a 4-1 victory.

Meanwhile in the Woodpecker Products Ladies League, fresh off their good showing in Trinidad, the GCC women took charge of the tournament with three wins from their matches.

Despite the absence of several key players due to injury, GCC disposed of Old Fort and the National Under-20 Women 5-0 and 4-0 respectively. Their final match would prove to be more competitive as the Hikers side filled with several former national players frustrated the GCC forwards for most of the first half, before Tricia Woodroffe gave GCC the lead late in the second quarter.

Nevertheless, despite Hikers’ ability to continually frustrate the GCC forward line through some intelligent defence from sweeper Marisha Rodrigues, which led to some counter attacks of their own, GCC’s Ulrica Sutherland put her team further ahead in the 42nd minute for a 2-0 lead and eventual win.

The result means that GCC will remain as the only unbeaten side in the competition with nine points from three matches followed by Hikers on six points followed by the National Under-20s and Old Fort.