Norton silent on return of candidate who faced child molestation allegations

tan, and so on. And it was strictly for elections. When the elections are over, the Coalition is really over… we make electoral arrangements to win the elections.”

The AFC’s Indo-Guyanese “who were Ministers in the last government,” according to Hinds were needed because “we needed some Indian votes and they brought some Indian votes.”

The AFC, which was forced to go to the 2018 Local Government Elections alone and suffered major loses, failed and unable to field candidates to contest the 2023 Local Government Elections.

APartnership for National Unity’s (APNU), Winston Harding, has returned to local politics, despite having to publicly withdraw from the 2016 Local Government Elections after reports surfaced about the child molestation allegations and charges that were levelled against him.

Faced with backlash in 2016, Harding had at the time refused to resign, with the backing of his constituents. The former Social Protection Minister, under the PNCR-led Coalition government, Volda Lawrence, facing intense criticisms after she was quoted referring to the accusations as a “family matter.”

Afterwards, the APNU made attempts to distance themselves from Harding. They had issued a statement in which they noted that the accusations of child molestation levelled against their candidate were a grave matter. “In light of the alleged behaviour of Mr Winston Harding and the pattern of accusations over the years, his candidature cannot be supported at this time. APNU is cognisant of the fact that Mr Harding has not been convicted of any offence, but the gravity and nature of the accusations cannot be ignored or condoned,” APNU had said in their 2016 statement.

Despite this, Harding was unveiled a few days ago by the APNU themselves as a candidate for Constituency #13 (West and East Ruimveldt) in the municipality of Georgetown for the June 12, 2023 Local Government Elections.

Notably, leader of the PNCR and Parliamentary Opposition, and Chairman of the APNU, Aubrey Norton, has not commented on Harding’s return or addressed the concerns about his past actions.

More damage to PPP/C campaign material exposed

Aman, reportedly a councillor attached to the Rosignol/Zeelust Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), was photographed damaging PPP/C campaign materials.

The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday (June 4, 2023) at Rosignol and the perpetrator was caught in the act by Police.

Notably, the PPP/C has since asked the Police to warm persons that it is an offence punishable by law for unlawfully removing displayed official electoral campaign materials. PPP/C Parliamentarian, Fizal Jaf - farally, in comments on the issue noted that reports of damage to campaign materials have been reported to the police, adding that senior activists have been exposed as being involved. “We are asking persons not to destroy the things that we have put up as part of our electoral campaign,” he said.

Last week, APNU+AFC Coalition’s Sharon Smith was arrested for pulling down the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) party flags from electricity poles along the Manchester Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six. Smith, the Chairwoman of the Lancaster/ Hogstye

Caught in the act

Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), was detained for the night and released the following morning on $20,000 bail.

In Guyana, political parties mount flags across the country as part of their campaigning effort.