Guyana’s

main opposition, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), says the announcement of

a March 2, 2020 election and a call to return to parliament is an attempt

by the government to blackmail the opposition.

“The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) remains convinced that his call for a return to the National Assembly is an attempt to blackmail the Parliamentary Opposition into extending the life of his illegal government, so that he can secure some legal cover for the many illegal acts, including the approval of billions in contracts, which have been committed since the passage of the no-confidence motion on December 21, 2018. All of this is taking place as he grasps for some level of respectability,” the party said in a statement.

According to the PPP, there is no valid link between the naming of an elections date and the need to return to Parliament.

The

Opposition party said nothing short of a signed proclamation from the

President, declaring a date for General and Regional Elections, will be credible.

President

David Granger in his address said the extension of a period beyond three months

for the holding of an election is related to the Elections Commission’s

readiness to hold the elections.

Opposition leader Bharrat Jagdeo has been contending

for months that his party will not be returning to the National Assembly to

grant any extension.