GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) — The two main political parties Saturday night made their final appeal to undecided voters as Guyana votes for a new government today.

Both the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and the coalition alliance of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance for Change (AFC) held separate rallies in a bid to woo undecided voters into their camps.

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is promising voters that the results of the poll will be known as soon as possible, even as it made it clear that speed would not be sacrificed for expediency.

“I am saying Tuesday (for results) at the very best Wednesday,” Surujbally said at the launch of GECOM’s media centre on Saturday.

He warned that “only GECOM has the legitimate right to make an announcement, and the electorate and the political parties must have patience.

“Nobody is here in the commission to concoct anything… I know that is the sort of nonsensical rumour that might traverse this country,” said Surujbally, one of the longest serving electoral officials in the Caribbean.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is assisting GECOM in the project as it moves to counter the “great embarrassment” of the last elections when the delay in announcing the results led to many problems including accusations of cheating.

UNDP Resident Representative Khadija Musa said her organisation has huge experience in providing such electronic support across many countries and that the “UNDP is not involved in sorting the data that come or touching the SOPs (Statements of Polls) or any such things.

“It is just the Commissioner and the chairman. Whatever they approve and want posted we will do so,” Musa said, noting that provision of such information is very crucial, and that “when there is a void in information, the public worries”.

PPP/C general secretary Clement Rohee, addressing supporters at the rally in Lusignan on the East Coast, said it was important for the party to be given a clear mandate to rule this Caribbean Community (Caricom) country.

“This time when we go to the polls we don’t want a slim majority. The majority has to be so wide, so convincing, it must be so unbelievable that even the foreign observers will say it is free and fair,” he said.

In the last parliament, the PPP/C served as the minority government after the coalition parties held a one slim majority with 33 seats.

Former president Bharrat Jagdeo urged supporters to ensure that the PPP/C “take back” the Parliament from today.

“If we want to make real changes in this government, we need back this majority in Parliament to allow (President Donald) Ramotar to move this country forward,” he said.

In his address, Ramotar described the campaign as a “hard fought” one, telling supporters “we stand on the record of transforming Guyana.

“We have changed from a poor, indebted country to a middle-income country,” he said, adding that if the party is returned to power he will establish a GUY$20 billion (One Guyana dollar=US$0.008 cents) facility to ensure the continued development of the sugar industry.

“I ask you to be brave, to be strong, and to go out early in the morning to vote, to put your x to the side of the cup. Over the years the PPP/C government and the PPP have stood by you, and I ask you on Monday to stand with us, to stand by me and let us deliver the biggest victory for the people of this country.”

But the APNU+AFC coalition urged its supporters to ensure that they put an end to the 22-year rule of the incumbent.

One of the surprise speakers at the coalition rally held at the Square of the Revolution on the outskirts of the capital was Dr Cheddi Jagan Jr, the son of the founder of the PPP.

“The coalition is the answer,” he said, adding “I love my father and I truly urge you to go out there and ensure the victory”.

The rally was also addressed by Ulele Burnham, the daughter of the late president Forbes Burnham, the founding member of the People’ National Congress (NC), a leading member of the APNU.

“Do not get de-mobbed happy that it is all over. Do not just hand over your power to another set of people and then expect them to do things for you. You keep mobilised and keep showing the leaders of the coalition that it was you, not they, who worked the magic.”

Moses Nagamootoo, the coalition alliance prime ministerial candidate said the country is “on the eve of a revolution”.

“On Monday we will make a revolution with ballots. It will be a peaceful revolution,” he said, adding “this election will bring us the possibility of unity which has eluded us”.

Nagamootoo said that for the first time in 60 years, the two major ethnic groups

here — the Indo and

Afro-Guyanese population — have come together for the socio-economic development of the country.

Retired army brigadier, David Granger, who is challenging Ramotar for the post of president, told supporters that the revolution is not one coming from the top.

“This is a bottom up revolution,” he said making reference to the role played by the young generation in the campaign to date.

“The elections will be the people’s elections, we can’t make a mistake on Monday, it will be the longest day of your life, the future is in your hands,” he told supporters.

Granger announced that should the coalition form the next government it would establish a wealth fund that would ensure that all the royalties from Guyana’s minerals would be placed there for the development of the next generation.

“A fund which the sticky hands of ministers cannot touch called the Sovereign Wealth Fund… putting the profits coming out of gold and diamond, timber, petroleum and any other mineral discovered in this country… to benefit future generations.”

“We will not be poor again,” he added.

The polling stations open at 6.00 am (local time) and will close at 6.00 pm.