GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC):
Incumbent Bharrat Jagdeo will be sworn into office today as Guyana's sixth head of state since the country attained political independence from Britain 40 years ago.
Jagdeo, who led his ruling People's Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) to a fourth consecutive term in office following Monday's regional and general elections, will be sworn in at a ceremony at the State House.
The PPPC swept the August 28 polls winning 183,887 votes or 54.6 per cent of the votes cast and with its good showing in the Geographical Constituency, or Regional Elections, the party will dominate the 65-seat unicameral house with 36 seats.
Jagdeo told reporters that he would not be 'rushed by anyone' into naming his Cabinet although he did tell a news conference earlier this week that there would be some new faces.
"We will take our time and do it well. I am in no rush. I will not be rushed by anyone to form the Cabinet or to even go to the National Assembly immediately," Jagdeo said.
Legal advice
He said party officials "have sought legal advice and I am not going to pressure the other parties tomorrow to extract from their lists Members of Parliament. I think we will have to take our time and do this properly."
Jagdeo, a Russian-trained economist, told reporters that he is now absorbed into creating a framework that will hopefully "enhance cooperation between the political parties in addressing the problems of Guyana," the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.
GINA said he is also pre-occupied with moving on with constitutional reform "to give more room for inclusive governance," in the racially divided Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country.
Jagdeo said that there was still much work left to make life better for Guyanese and called on his political rivals to "get involved in some form to work at these issues that are affecting our people".
He joined in the chorus of praise from international observers who congratulated Guyanese, all stakeholders, including the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and the political parties for the peaceful conduct of the polls, which he noted, "augurs well for Cricket World Cup," scheduled to be held throughout the Caribbean next year.
"A lot of people were expecting the worst and now we have put these elections behind us. We have the results declared here and we have to get back to work immediately to host Cricket World Cup and address many other issues," Jagdeo said.
"We have to move on because we need to work together, all the leaders of Guyana to build our country. It is time to put aside the campaign rhetoric," Jagdeo said.
Meanwhile, GECOM chairman Dr. Steve Surujbally said although there were glitches the political parties which contested the elections collectively agreed that the polls were "properly conducted".
Surujbally assured Jagdeo that "everything is transparent and above board and nothing surreptitious was involved in the process".
The bitterly contested 1997 elections results were vitiated by High Court judge Claudette Singh following an elections petition by the main opposition People's National Congress Reform (PNC/R) following an elections petition by Esther Perriera, a supporter of that party.
The ruling forced the PPP/C government to call another election two years ahead of schedule, which it won with a reduced parliamentary majority.
Surujbally met Jagdeo Thursday night in the capital to announce his re-election as the nation's sixth Executive President.
Jagdeo told Surujbally: "I want to thank you personally for the work you have done in steering GECOM. This is the best Elections ever in Guyana.
Through you I would like to thank the Commissioners and the staff of GECOM for their hard work".
"All the parties would have to admit that these elections were conducted properly," Jagdeo said.
Surujbally agreed noting that the other nine contestants "have either publicly or via telephone, agreed with this view," a GINA statement said late Thursday.
According to the results released by GECOM's Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Gocool Boodhoo, the PPP/C scored at least one seat in every Geographical Constituency, as well as 21 on the National Top Up List.
"Elections are contested based on the number of seats and we won the highest number of seats and that's a feat for us, Jagdeo said dismissing any power sharing arrangement.
"We are not contemplating any coalition. We are not contemplating any executive power sharing, however, I believe there is much room for us to work together on issues affecting our people," Jagdeo said.
He said since there is need to strengthen the Parliament "there is much room for the opposition to have a say on the policies of the Executive and we already have the framework in the reformed Constitution. We need to move swiftly to implement all of those provisions."
