Guyana: Multiracial Coalition Unseats Ruling Party

In the South American country of Guyana, the multiracial opposition coalition has won the general election, according to official preliminary results. Guyana’s Elections Commission released the results on Thursday afternoon, three days after polling took place. If confirmed, this would break the Indo-European People’s Progressive Party’s 23-year grip on power and could signal a new era in the ethnically divided nation. The APNU + AFC Coalition campaigned on a platform of accountability and transparency and won by around 5,000 votes over incumbent President Donald Ramotar’s PPP. The winning coalition is lead by former Army Brigadier General and publisher David Granger. The PPP has ruled since 1992 and has called for a recount. The elections have been observed by many international bodies including the Carter Center led by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. The 15-member Caribbean community CARICOM says it hopes the election results will be accepted and respected. Alison Kentish reports for teleSUR.