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Guyana tipped to get first woman president

After 20% of the votes in the parliamentary and presidential poll had been counted, Mrs Jagan's party, the ruling People's Progressive Party was in the lead.

If this trend continues, the 77-year-old Mrs Jagan - the US-born widow of the late President Cheddi Jagan - will become the country's first woman president and the first white head of state since its independence from Britain in 1966.

Her main opponent is former President, Desmond Hoyte, of the People's National Congress.

The only poll conducted during the campaign gave Mrs Jagan an overwhelming lead over Mr Hoyte, who was in power from 1985 to 1992. Mrs Jagan became Prime Minister of Guyana when her husband died in March.

Mr Jagan's left-wing People's Progressive Party party, which she helped found, is generally associated with the nation's majority Indo-Guyanese population, descendants of Indian indentured servants.

Mr Hoyte's People's National Congress represents the 39% of the population of African-Guyanese descent.

Both candidates have pledged to fight corruption and encourage local and foreign investment.

Hoyte has warned that a win by the Marxist PPP could drive investors away through fear of left-wing policies. The PPP, however, said that while it is a Marxist party, its government will not be.

The current PPP civic government of President Samuel Hinds - who succeeded Cheddi Jagan after his death in March - says billions of dollars of new foreign investment have been brought in already.

Five years ago, elections were marred by violence, so security has been stepped up - although no problems have been reported this time.

International observers from the London's Commonwealth Secretariat and the Washington-based Organization of American States are overseeing the electoral process.

Relevant Stories

Observers arrive to monitor Guyana polls (09 Dec 97 | World)

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People's National Congress

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Summaries

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UN weapons inspector chief presents his Iraq report
Janet Jagan Still Ahead In Guyana Poll
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Ecuadoran president accused of corruption
Mexican union leader released
Paraguay's former army chief says rights violated

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