– President makes announcement; says advised of GECOM’s readiness– date clashes with CSEC, CAPE examsIt is official now. Guyanese will be heading to the polls on Monday, May 11th to elect a new Government.The announcement yesterday by President Donald Ramotar was not totally unexpected, and would come a little more than two months after he prorogued Parliament and in the face of growing pressure by both local and international bodies.President Donald RamotarIt would mean that Ramotar, who was sworn in December 2011,Brian Poole Falcons Jersey UK, would see his Presidency cut short by almost two years. On November 10,Bryan Bickell Jersey, facing a no-confidence debate by an Opposition-controlled National Assembly that was unhappy over what was seen as unapproved spending, among other things, President Ramotar announced that he was using his powers to suspend Parliament.The National Assembly had been in recess for two months and had faced delays over its reconvening because of wrangling over who had the authority to recall it. It was an unusual situation that Guyana had found itself in.President Ramotar said that he wanted to stave off political conflict and engage the Opposition on a number of issues. His explanation was met with disbelief by the Opposition – A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC) – equally determined not to engage in talks until the National Assembly was reconvened or elections called.They threatened to block any contracts signed by Government during the prorogation period.In his New Year’s message, the Head of State said that he would be announcing a date as soon as possible.The prorogation of Parliament had seen even the diplomatic community being drawn into the limelight.Last week, British High Commission, Andrew Ayre, who is ending his tenure in a matter of days, made it clear that his Government could not tolerate the current situation. He called for an end to the stalemate, saying that, that Parliament’s scrutiny was imperative to its continued financial assistance. He had immediately attracted a wave of criticism, including the assertion that Government would be happy to see the back of him.The United States had also urged for the situation to be corrected.Donald Ramotar had entered Government facing an uphill task after the Opposition managed to gain a one-seat advantage in the 65-seat National Assembly. For over two years, starting in 2012, the Opposition, boosted by that advantage, leveraged on its voting powers, and refused to back key projects.Falling under the hammer was key legislation, including for the US$850M-plus Amaila Falls hydro electric project. Also suffering was an amendment to the current anti-money laundering laws, which would have allowed for Guyana to comply with international regulations.Funding to several programmes like the Amerindian Development Fund and the US$150M Timehri airport expansion project also suffered.The Ramotar administration has also not been without its controversy with questions over the multi-billion drug contracts to a sole entity; the failed Skeldon sugar estate project, and corruption involving key Government officials.The relations with private media houses also sunk to a low, especially with the publication of threats issued to Kaieteur News by a Minister.The Opposition too has come under flak for its performance.Yesterday, President Ramotar in the statement announcing the date for General and Regional Elections, and released through the Government Information Agency (GINA), said that he has been advised that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) would be in a state of readiness for these polls on that date.However,Wholesale Jerseys, it appears as though it was only GECOM’s readiness that was considered in the grand scheme of things, as immediately after the announcement, there were a number of frantic calls to this newspaper by concerned students, teachers and parents, who indicated that a number of Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) and the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate are scheduled for that date.For the record, the following examinations are slated for May 11:CSEC(MORNING) AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE D/A 2 (General); AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE S/A 2 (General)THEATRE ARTS 1 (General)(AFTERNOON) ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY 1 –Technical; FOOD & NUTRITION 2 (General)CAPE(MORNING) Geometrical & Mechanical Engineering Drawing Unit 1 Paper 2 ; History Unit 1 Paper 2; Art & Design Examinations to begin for Unit 1, Papers 2 and 3, and Unit 2, Papers 1 and 2; (AFTERNOON) Communication Studies Paper 2This is a quite significant development as it is highly unlikely that the regional exam body will deviate in any way from its final