PPP agents got citizens’ numbers from various sources – JagdeoGeneral Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, on Thursday disclosed that the party used “various sources” to obtain citizens’ numbers to call and ask them to support the PPP at the September 1 General and Regional Elections.
In recent weeks, social media users have reported receiving calls from PPP activists, who asked them to vote for the party and questioned them about the government’s performance over the current term. Some criticised this move, and accused the PPP of using data collected by the government during the distribution of the $100,000 cash grant for political purposes.
When asked at a press conference at Freedom House how the party gathered citizens’ numbers, Jagdeo said, “We acquired those numbers from various sources, that’s all I’m gonna say.”
Pressed further on privacy concerns of citizens’ data, Jagdeo said, “The data given to the government was always protected…we have a new law that we passed and the data would be protected.”
Further, Jagdeo said he finds it “bewildering” that despite years of development under PPP administrations, other parties still believe they could win at the upcoming elections.
“And I’m not saying this because of arrogance. I’m saying this because right now across Guyana, I have thousands of activists walking the streets of this country going to every home and taking our message to them,” he said.
According to Jagdeo, PPP activists are sharing the party’s message of progress and hope with citizens through both in-person outreach and phone calls.
“We’re making calls to people at home and respectfully asking them to support us. This is done around the world. I saw some of them have a problem with that too. That we will call someone and then say, you know, we value your vote so much, we’re going to ask you to vote for us,” he said.
Further, Jagdeo stressed that the PPP does not take citizens for granted. “We’ll call you and ask you and then listen to you and that is what we’re doing. There are lots of our activists who are doing that…so we’re working for people’s support and vote. The others take it for granted or believe they can just buy people’s votes.”
