SURINAME-NDP says it is prepared to lead the new government

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, CMC – The main opposition National Democratic Party (NDP) says it is prepared to lead Suriname together with its coalition partners even as the outgoing Progressive Reform Party (VHP) said it is looking forward to the decision-making by the Independent Electoral Board (OKB) following the May 25 general elections.

Figures released so far show that the NDP won 93,545 votes nationwide, which is 6,513 votes more than the VHP, headed by President Chan Santokhi.

However, the NDP, which was once headed by the late President Desi Bouterse, won 18 seats, as opposed to 17 for the VHP.

The General Liberation and Development Party (ABOP) is the third-largest party, with 31,804 votes and six seats, closely followed by the National Party Suriname (NPS), which also has 31,285 votes and six seats. The Pertjajah Luhur (PL) won two seats with 10,317 votes, while Alternative 2020 (A20) and the Brotherhood and Unity in Politics (BEP) each won one seat.

The NDP has already agreed with the smaller opposition parties to form the new government. According to the preliminary results, the six opposition parties have won 34 seats in the 51-member National Assembly.

The elections were held for the first time under a system of proportional representation, which necessitates the formation of coalitions. Parliament is required to appoint a new president, which increases the likelihood of lengthy negotiations, policy delays, and potentially unstable alliances.

In a statement, the NDP expressed its gratitude to the Surinamese voters, saying, “In these historic elections, the people spoke clearly and powerfully.

“You have strengthened democracy and placed your trust in a party that stands for decisiveness, commitment, and love for country and people. This victory is not only for the NDP; it belongs to the voters, to every compatriot who believes in progress and national development,” it said, adding, “The coming period will be marked by recovery and progress, by connection and renewal.”

The Central Polling Station (CHS) Tuesday announced the names of the elected candidates during a public session, with Santokhi winning the highest number of preferential votes as a candidate for the National Assembly with 45,894 votes. His political opponent, NDP chairman Jennifer Simons, won 41,729 votes.

Another notable winner is Ingrid Bouterse-Waldring, the wife of the former president.

Rabin Parmessar is the oldest elected member, and officials say that as soon as the election results are declared binding by the OKB, President Santokhi will swear him in. Allowing him to convene the extraordinary meeting of the National Assembly, where the other elected members will be sworn in.

At the same meeting, expected to be held on June 30, the election of the Speaker and Vice-Chair of Parliament will take place. The NDP has nominated Ashwin Adhin as the Speaker of the Assembly.

Meanwhile, the VHP, which says it is looking forward to the decision-making by the OKB, noted that “in anticipation of this, the VHP thanks all voters for their involvement in the democratic process and the election authorities for their efforts.

“The party board, together with all elected representatives of the VHP, will deliberate in the coming days on the next steps and the legal possibilities for nomination for the upcoming elections about the leadership in the National Assembly and that of the president and vice president of Suriname.”

The party said that it remains committed to the further development and strengthening of democratic institutions and will place transparency and consultation at the heart of all political decision-making.”

The party said that on Monday, it had asked the OKB to declare the election results non-binding for the time being.

“The reason for this is footage that allegedly shows unknown persons leaving two suitcases unattended in the building of the National Information Institute (NIS), where ballots from Paramaribo are stored.

“The chief polling station chairman of Paramaribo, Ricardo Bhola, indicated that there was nothing wrong. The issue with possible missing suitcases was being investigated. It concerns normal activities and has nothing to do with ballot papers,” the VHP added.