Tensions mounting in race for Region Ten VC position

CONTESTANTS ARE LINING UP AT THE STARTING BLOCKS for what is expected to
be a keenly-competed race for Vice Chairman of Upper Demerara/Berbice (Region Ten)
following the vacancy created by the death of Douglas Gittens from COVID-19.

So far, all eyes are on Regional Democratic Councillors (RDC) member, Norris King of the
Alliance For Change (AFC) and former Regional Labour Officer, Eleze Benjamin-Hall. King
was contesting the post in 2020, but was forced to withdraw after main opposition Peoples
National Congress (PNC) General Secretary, Amna Ally changed the voting structure.

Initially, the VC was to be chosen via a secret ballot by RDC members, but Ally reportedly
switched to process to open voting to help determine whether any PNC Councillor was prepared
to defy the party’s will and “go contrary” to its demands.

Knowing he will be crowded out in his lane, King withdrew from the 2020 race. His withdrawal
was interpreted as a silent protest by the AFC against its major coalition partner with whom it
contested the March 2015 polls and won.

Ally’s decision criticised as unethical and unprofessional.

King is expected to face stiff opposition this time around for the post in the bauxite-mining town
of Linden, a political fortress of the PNC. Even the major ruling Peoples Progressive Party (PPP)
finds it historically impenetrable.

Nevertheless, AFC officials encourage him to contest “regardless of the obstacles.”

Some RDC members are backing Former Regional Labour Officer, Benjamin-Hall to run for the
vacant position arguing the position must remain within the PNC. The incumbent government
didn’t renew Benjamin-Hall’s claiming she breached industrial relations rules by campaigning

openly for the PNC during last year’s bitterly contested recount of ballots of the 2020
controversial polls.
Three RDC members reached by this media house were still undecided who they will cast their
ballot for. King’s performance as a RDC members was describes as “impressive” and they are
willing to be non-partisan
“For me it’s not if the person is APNU or AFC, but rather someone who can get the job done.
This infighting isn’t helping, and sadly, I believe that the AFC top brass is just sitting by while
the APNU push them over. The fear that many Councillors have is if they would be able to vote
according to their conscience or being bullied into voting a particular way,” one of the trio said.
Another expressed a gender-neutral view.
“For me I have seen over the years that only men are being elected into this position, so it would
be nice to see how a female would operate and manage. I think that Benjamin-Hall is focused
and has a lot to offer, however, the question is if she is ready for this task.”

The final person of the group decried the mudslinging noting it’s sad that Councillors will revert
to destroying their own in an attempt to win the Regional VC position.

“Sadly, even the Regional Chairman has brought himself to the point where he is taking
sides and this shouldn’t be. It’s no excuse that these guys are afraid of Norris King. I think
it’s because he is AFC and more so an action-man. So, any lazy idiot will not want to have
him there,” he said.