The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has announced a new initiative aimed at increasing citizen participation in the development of its upcoming election manifesto. Citizens are now being encouraged to submit their ideas via WhatsApp number 741-2575. Alternatively, citizens deliver their written submissions at the PPP/C’s headquarters or regional offices, labeled “Manifesto Ideas PPP.”
General Secretary and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo made the announcement during his press conference on Thursday last. He explained that the move is part of the PPP government’s ongoing effort to include grassroots feedback in national planning.
The Vice President said, “So if you have any idea, whatever the idea is, and you think it should be included in the future, I can promise you that once you submit in the next five years, you submit the idea, we’ll give it serious consideration.”
He added, “I can’t promise that everything will be in the plan we are not APNU, we cost everything, we see that we can deliver it we’re not them. But I can tell you that your ideas will be given serious consideration.”
Jagdeo said this approach reflects the party’s philosophy of systematic and people-centered development. He pointed to previous initiatives that emerged from public consultation, including the return of the children’s cash grant, the removal of university fees, and more recently, tax-free allowances for overtime and second jobs.
“It was because of the ideas we got from people a lot of working people said, our overtime gets taxed too much, so in the budget, we put in an allowance for overtime that becomes tax-free. Now, if you earn up to $50,000 per month in overtime, you don’t have to pay any taxes on it,” Jagdeo explained.
He also recalled similar outreach efforts when the PPP was in opposition, noting that despite challenges at the time, the party pushed ahead with public consultations to shape its policies.
Moreover, Jagdeo said the PPP will also be releasing several position papers in the coming months, aimed at generating public discussion ahead of finalizing the party’s 2025 manifesto.
