Ali says Top Cop gave assurances on protection of state assets, unrest over election results

PPP/C presidential candidate Irfaan Ali yesterday said he had gotten assurances from Police Commissioner Leslie James that state assets will be protected in the transition between governments and that any unrest in the aftermath of the declaration of results from the March 2nd general elections will be addressed.

Members of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) including Ali yesterday met with James to ensure that systems are put in place to tackle any situation that may arise as the country awaits the declaration of the results from the controversy-ridden March 2nd polls.

The recently concluded recount of votes has shown that Ali’s party has won a majority and he is expected to be sworn in as President when a declaration is made by the Guyana Elections Commission.

At the conclusion of the meeting at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, Ali told reporters that among the issues that were discussed were the security of state assets and documents and racial comments being made on social media platforms.

Last Thursday, a letter headed “request for urgent meeting” which was signed by PPP Executive Member Anil Nandlall was sent to James.

Ali was accompanied yesterday by PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo, Nandlall and the party’s Prime Ministerial Candidate Mark Phillips.

Ali explained that during the meeting the party raised concerns about safeguarding and securing state assets.

He said the PPP has requested that the same level of security that was placed at Government buildings following the 2015 elections be applied.

“…..You would recall that in 2015 there were police officers stationed at every ministry and department whilst the transition was taking place. So we raised this with the Commissioner….we have asked him to ensure that he look at this and to ensure that systems are in place to secure state assets and documents,” he said.

Ali said that James gave his assurance on this.

“He gave full assurance that he is going to put systems in place to have this done and I reminded him of the 2015 scenario where officers were placed at the different ministries and he assured that he is going to look into this,” Ali noted.

According to Ali, concerns on how to deal with any eventuality that may occur after the

declaration of the results were also raised.

“There have been many threats, many statements on social media and the commissioner has assured us that they are actively monitoring the situation, they are gathering intelligence, they are securing information to deal with any such threats if it arises,” Ali said.

He further stated that the party also raised the issue of persons making “racially hostile” threats on social media.

To this end, Ali said that James noted that systems are in place to monitor the situation and to ensure that actions are taken against those responsible.

“The Commissioner responded that he has systems in place. They are actively monitoring what is happening and they have compiled a list of breaches and they have sent that list for legal advice in relation to the statements that are made on social media inciting people and so on,” Ali said.

Ali said that the issue of race baiting and attempts to divide the people of Guyana are visible to anyone browsing social media. He noted that many of those involved in these acts are not persons who live here.

“A lot of these persons who are doing this, trying to divide our people racially, are those living outside of Guyana, who have no interest in coming back here but seem bent on creating mischief and I think it is time the force deal with these persons in a condign manner,” he stated.

When asked if he thinks that James should be retained as the Commissioner of Police when a new government is sworn in, Ali responded, that his party is not in a “witch-hunting” exercise.

“We are not in a witch hunting exercise….we are going to act professionally. The Commissioner has assured us that he and his team will continue to act professionally. We hold the commissioner to his commitment but we are not in a witch-hunting exercise about firing people and so. We are moving forward in this country,” he said.

“…I want the best for our country and I want to ensure that the security forces have everything in place to protect the people of our country, to protect the assets, to protect assets of individuals and to protect the streets of our country,” Ali noted.