Leader of the Opposition and Chairman of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) David Granger has topped the list of nominees for leadership of the PNCR which forms the backbone of the APNU coalition comfortably beating out Carl Greenidge.

This was announced at a PNCR news briefing on Friday where party executive Oscar Clarke stated that the current leader Robert Corbin will not be running for any post other than being a member of the Central Executive Committee at the party's congress later this month.

Granger secured 108 nominations to Greendige’s 55 from the 174 eligible local and overseas groups. Corbin managed two while Basil Williams, Volda Lawrence and Aubrey Norton each received one. The APNU chairman has stated publicly that he believes the positions of opposition leader and coalition chairman should be consolidated in one person. 

One of Greenidge's campaigners, Aubrey Norton, declined to discuss the nominations but remained confident that his candidate would beat Granger at the congressional elections. "I am convinced that Carl Greenidge is going to beat whoever comes up against him in this congress. I don't want to comment on the nominations. I have a different view on the nominations. I would prefer to focus on the coming elections and the support we have on the ground," he told Demerara Waves Online News (www.demwaves.com).

Of the 159 group nominations for the position of  Chairman, the incumbent Cammie Ramsaroop got 60, Basil Williams 57, Clement Corlette 15 and Aubrey Norton 12.

There were 328 nominations for the two positions of Vice Chairman. Topping them is Dr. George Norton with 106 followed by Williams with 80, Lawrence 61, Aubrey Norton 12, Debra Backewr 16, Joseph Harmon 11, Cammie Ramsaroop seven, James Bond six and Robert Corbin seven.

The Treasurer's position attracted 151 nominations from which Ronald Bulkan received 46, Clarence Charles 33, Lawrence 25, Ivelaw Henry 13, Clement Corlette eight and Dave Dhanny five.

According to Clarke, there will be very strict observance of the rules which will be sent out to delegates.

"I don't believe that there is going to be any need for concern by anybody. The identification process will be very scrupulous.”

That had been an issue at the special congress to elect the presidential candidate for the 2011 general elections. Previous internal elections of the party had been also mired in controversy, resulting in charges and counter-charges of vote-rigging.

Clarke said that individuals will have to produce a photo ID (National ID Card, passport or driver’s licence) along with a delegate card which will only be issued to voting delegates.  Over 800 will be eligible to vote at the July 27 – 29 biennial congress to be held at the party headquarters Congress Place, Sophia.