18th Biennial Delegates Congress of the Party

The 18^th Biennial Congress of the People’s National Congress Reform will be held from Friday 25th July to Sunday 27th July 2014 under the theme: “PNCR For National Unity, Good Governance and Development.” More than 1,000 Delegates and Observers from the ten (10) Administrative Regions of Guyana, as well as the North American and UK Regions, will be participating and indeed, some members of delegations have already started to arrive. The strength of the participation reflects the grass roots strength of the Party.

The Congress will begin with the formal opening ceremony on Friday 25th July. This ceremony, though rich in cultural activity, is nevertheless centred on the feature address of the Party Leader, Brigadier David Arthur Granger during which it is expected that he will make an analysis of the political and economic situation in Guyana and outline his vision of the way in which the Party will prepare itself to tackle the numerous challenges of the coming years. We anticipate that this will be a wide ranging address which will lay the basis for the policies of the PNCR as it, along with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), prepares itself for elections, both local and national.

On Saturday 26th July, the General Secretary, Mr. Oscar Clarke will report to the Congress on the state of the Party, its organs and its political work. Again, we anticipate that this address will adumbrate necessary reforms and reorganisation of the Party structure as it gets ready to take its political struggle to new levels.

Press Conference Panel from left are Ms. Malika Ramsey, Ms. Cheryl Sampson, General Secretary of the PNCR, Mr. Oscar and Ms. Amna Ally, MP.Clarke

Following the General Secretary’s report, the Report of the Constitutional Review Committee will be presented by that Committee’s Chairman, Mr. E. Lance Carberry. This will be followed by the Plenary Session of Congress during which participants will examine issues contained in the Party Leader’s address, the Chairman’s Opening Statement, the General Secretary’s Report and the Report of the Constitutional Review Committee. This is an important aspect of the Congress programme since it will allow Delegates and Observers to respond directly to the visions of their Party leadership; and from this open discussion, the Party will forge a consensus on the way ahead for the People’s National Congress Reform. It is expected that such issues as the tactics and strategies, the ideology and philosophy of the Party and its future social and economic policies will be agreed.

Questions and Motions submitted by the Party organs for the attention of Congress would be examined before the close of the second day.

The election of office bearers for the new biennium will take place on Sunday 27th July. As is usual in democratically contested elections, there is keen discussion and lobbying by the various contestants.

During the second and third days of Congress, 26th and 27th July 2014, ONLY Accredited Delegates and Observers will be allowed into the compound and the venue of the Congress – “Congress Place, Sophia, Georgetown.” Registration of Delegates and Observers will take place at the following times on each of the three days:

• Friday 25th July: 10:00 hrs (10:00 am) – 15:00 hrs (3:00 pm)
• Saturday 26th July: 07:00 hrs (7:00 am) – 16:00 hrs (4:00 pm)
• Sunday 27th July: 08:00 hrs (8:00 am) – 10:00 hrs (10:00 am)

Documents needed for presentation as identification at the registration desk include the following:

1. Current Party Membership Card with photo, or
2. Current National ID Card, or
3. Valid Passport or Driver’s Licence.

There will be separate registration areas for Delegates and Observers and NAMED Regional representatives will be on hand to assist their members in the registration process.

The displaying of badges of accreditation while in the compound is obligatory. Anyone who is observed NOT wearing his/her badge of accreditation will be requested by the Congress security personnel to comply with this requirement. Failure to comply could result in that person being requested to leave the compound.

Changes of persons listed as Delegates or Observers by the various Party Groups would only be possible if such changes are notified to the General Secretary by midday of Thursday 24th July, 24 hours before the Opening Day, Friday 25th July. NO CHANGES will be possible at the Registration Desk.