Electoral officials in Guyana say Donald Ramotar of the governing People’s Progressive Party (PPP/C) is to be the next president. But the party, mainly backed by Guyana’s ethnic-Indians, lost its parliamentary majority for the first time in 19 years. This could make it difficult for Mr Ramotar if opposition parties opt to work together, analysts say. A delay in announcing Monday’s poll results had heightened tensions.
The Guyana Election Commission (GECOM) said the People’s Progressive Party had won 32 seats, the opposition coalition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) 26 seats, and the Alliance for Change seven seats.
Chief elections officer Gogool Boodhoo declared Mr Ramotar, 61, the winner and said he would be sworn in shortly. Mr Ramotar has been the General Secretary of the PPP/C since 1997 and was a political adviser to outgoing President Bharrat Jagdeo.
The commission had delayed the final announcement, which had been expected on Wednesday, saying it needed to double-check the count. The delay had given rise to concern of a repeat of the unrest which marred previous polls. In 2001, post-election unrest between Guyana’s ethnic groups continued for weeks.
Full Article: BBC News – Guyana governing party’s Donald Ramotar wins presidency.