OVER 10 Members States of the Organisation of American States (OAS) have called on Guyana to swiftly conclude its electoral process which the countries agree has gone on for much longer than is acceptable.
The countries made presentations at a Special Meeting of the OAS Permanent Council on Tuesday specifically to discuss the state of the electoral process in Guyana. Their comments came subsequent to general remarks from the OAS and representatives of the government and opposition.
DEMOCRACY DELAYED, DEMOCRACY DENIED
Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the OAS, Sir Ronald Sanders, in his presentation, noted that his country stands by the position of CARICOM that Guyana needs to conclude its elections process. “Four and a half long months have passed and still there is no election result. In the meantime, four other Caribbean countries have held elections and elected governments have assumed office peacefully,” he stated.
He added that Guyana has been “inscribed” in the Guinness Book of Records for the world’s longest elections though the newspaper was unable to find verification of this via the organisation’s website. Sanders, nonetheless, said that “democracy delayed is democracy denied” and urged political parties to seek legal recourse for their concerns after the elections has been declared. He recommended that the situation in Guyana be kept under the review of the council and that “action” be taken should the Secretary-General consider it necessary.
NOT INTERFERENCE, PARTICIPATION
Meanwhile, Permanent Representative of Colombia to the OAS, Alejandro Ordóñez said that the OAS cannot be indifferent to Guyana’s electoral situation and, on behalf of Colombia, invited Guyana to base its actions on the Inter-American instruments on electoral matters.
He said: “The citizens have a basic right when they take part in elections which is to know the results in a transparent manner without delays.” Also delivering similar remarks on Guyana’s situation was Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada to the OAS, Hugh Adsett. He said that Canada “strongly regrets” the extended delay in the declaration of the elections in Guyana and recommends that a declaration be made without further delay. The OAS representative from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines spoke on behalf of CARICOM when she called on Guyana to adhere to the 1997 Charter of Civil Society which speaks to the existence of free elections and a fair electoral system.
“CARICOM’s role therefore is not interference in the domestic affairs of a foreign country, it is participation in community affairs which the essence of the revised CARICOM Treaty and the Charter of Civil Society that preceded it,” the representative said.
OAS Permanent Representative of Mexico, Elena Baños Rivas told the council that given the regional challenges due to COVID-19, it is important that Guyana conclude its elections while OAS Ambassador from Honduras, Luis Cordero joined in the previous statements making known his country’s concerns. Throughout the meeting, similar remarks came from OAS representative of Venezuela, Gustavo Tarre (appointed by Juan Guaido); the United States (U.S), Chile, Bolivia and Ecuador.
Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_epaper_07_23_2020