Poll finds high marks for President Ali’s administration

IT is traditional to assess or take stock of the performance of a new administration around its 100 days in office. November 9 would be the 100th day since President Irfaan Ali’s swearing in on August 2, some five months after the impasse during which several attempts were made to rig the outcome of the elections.
The North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA), a polling group founded in New York that has been conducting surveys in Guyana since 1990, is in “the fields” (in Guyana and in the diaspora in New York) conducting a poll on the PPP administration’s 14-week governance.  The poll was conducted by Dr. Vishnu Bisram.

As the 100 days mark approached, the polls in New York City and Guyana found soaring performance ratings for the President and his government (administration), in particular for the Attorney General Anil Nandlall. Respondents praise President Irfaan, Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo, and Legal Affairs Minister Nandlall, among others, for rescuing the country from poor governance of the predecessor regime and the dire straits of the economy.

The respondents in the survey overwhelmingly say that the PPP has done a much better job managing the affairs of the country than the APNU+AFC coalition and that peoples’ lives are much better now than under the preceding regime. Respondents describe the President and his team as “action-oriented” in getting things done quickly. They say there has been much progress in the country since August 2, even though a budget was not approved until a month later.

In New York, the survey interviewed 102 Indians, 54 Africans and Mixed Races, and six Amerindians, but no Portuguese and Chinese. The data for the survey in Guyana is being processed.
The U.S. and other countries intervened to protect democracy in Guyana and the survey revealed that foreign (U.S.) involvement was welcomed by (some 70%) Guyanese in the diaspora and at home.

The New York survey finds that a lot of goodwill was generated for the change in administration given the misbehaviour of the coalition during the five-month election impasse. With regard to numbers, a large majority supports the change in administration with almost every Indian and Amerindian approving the change along with a fifth of Africans and Mixed population. Almost every Indian and Amerindian gave a thumbs up to the performance of President Irfaan (72 per cent approval rating) and the government (71 per cent approval rating).

The President has come in for much praise from those interviewed: young, intelligent, dynamic, balanced, matured, sincere, passionate, dedicated, and committed to national development and harmonious inter-ethnic relations. He has been helping all Guyanese irrespective of ethnicity. Some say he talks passionately of helping all Guyanese and that they see it in his face and communications. He is on right track in terms of economic reforms, especially in lowering taxes. A large majority approves of the budget (69 per cent). And he has signalled he wants a trustworthy electoral system that will inspire confidence in all Guyanese. Some 68 per cent support prosecution of election riggers and 65 per cent feel that elections will not be free and fair if the riggers remain at GECOM. Some 70 per cent wants electoral reforms.

The President is seen as very pro-active and going out in the communities, and he instructed his cabinet of MPs and regional chairs to do same. They like the idea that he is taking government to the doorsteps of people. Respondents say the President seems committed to democratic governance and to electoral and constitutional reforms. He is working within constitutional boundaries. He rationalises taxes and has maintained a balance between government and private sector.

Respondents praise his and the Vice-President’s ability to access resources from friendly countries such as India, the USA, Canada, and the UK for Guyana to address pandemic issues. In spite of the constraints of the pandemic, the government is forging excellent international relations and signing accords with several countries. President Irfaan has been able to secure foreign assistance from several countries for development programmes. He pulled off the biggest achievement in diplomatic relations — a visit by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the first visit to Guyana by an American cabinet member. There is overwhelming approval (70 per cent) for U.S. involvement in the elections to secure the democratic outcome and for Pompeo’s visit.

Respondents overwhelmingly approve the performance of Anil Nandlall as well as to the granting of Silk (Senior Counsel) status to him and Timothy Jonas. Everyone rates Anil Nandlall as the most efficient minister of the government. Every Indian, Amerindian and a majority of Africans and Mixed approved Nandlall’s performance as AG.
The President disappoints the diaspora in one area: many complain that the administration has not appointed qualified individuals from the diaspora to positions as promised during visits to and engagements with diasporans, especially in North America.

The researchers of this survey recommend that the media take stock of (assess) how the government’s accomplishments compare with the goals in the ruling party’s manifesto. The media should interview academics, business persons, market vendors, and people in the streets on the performance of the government and his Cabinet.