PERSONS participating the in the national recount at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) run the risk of being removed from their workstations by law officials should they fail to adhere to the ‘no-videoing’ of recount process rules.

This was conveyed to the media by Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM, Yolanda Ward, at the end of the first day of the national recount.
Ward said that the commission had taken note of videos circulating on social media whereby some persons, at different workstations, had documented the process.

Prior to the recount, the commission had made it clear that the video live-streaming of the recount process would be a violation of Section 90 of the Representation of the People Act which speaks to the protection of the identity of the voter.

As such, Ward told the media: “This was not permitted by the commission. All those persons at the count were informed of this and so the decision of the commission is that hence forth people will be cautioned to desist from such a practice and if they’re found to doing so, they will be escorted from the respective workstations.”

She said that the commission is especially keen on ensuring that this guideline is maintained throughout the process and will go to the necessary lengths to ensure it. Ward said that this message, being made clear, it is the hoped that such incidents will not reoccur today.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Vincent Alexander noted that a television entity has also been noted as entering the recount centre and videoing the process — inclusive of the identity of GECOM staff. “We did have that problem today of a particular media house getting involved in streaming and doing exactly what we didn’t want to happen, having workers faces appearing,” he said. “We prefer for the security and safety of those workers not to include them.”

He said that the specific media house was undoubtedly aware of the restrictions in this regard. As it relates to the forms of livestreaming catered for, facilities have been established at each workstation to capture and broadcast a photo of the ballot boxes, depicting the state in which they are delivered to the workstation, only visible to those within the centre.

Meanwhile, an audio feed of the recount process is being broadcasted via GECOM’s Facebook page. From the audio feed, one could hear every action taken by the GECOM staff being described verbally by the said staff. The Counting Clerk, at the count of each ballot, could be heard stating words such as “PPP/C 1” or “APNU/AFC 1”. At intervals, the clerk would check to see that all observing the process had arrived at a similar total.

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_epaper_05_07_2020

Dear Editor
AT the time of penning this letter (Tuesday morning, 5th May) there has been a media rampage across the communication spectrum claiming that government’s denial of a return of the Carter Centrg and a GECOM /government collaboration to rig elections. A PPP-organised protest was even held in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs calling on the government to stop hindering the centre from returning, along with other unsavoury statements.

Days after this phase of misinformation began, mainstream media and all who were making these statements have not provided any evidence to show that the centre has sought approval to return and was denied entry by the government and/or the GECOM. The absence of this evidence fuels the belief of the less critical amongst us and plays the cards in favour of the campaign of misinformation and deceit. It does more harm than good in this volatile environment to our body politic and relationships, local and external.

On Sunday, 3rd May, a soft statement issued by the United States (US) Ambassador, snowballed to the members of the US State Department and other members of the international community, adding further ferocity to the issue, leading members of the PPP and supporters in the media, private sector and elsewhere to become firmer in their conviction that mischief was afoot. Coalition supporters reacted to the allegations with various emotions. Consequently, social media became a battleground with a crescendo of vitriol.

Instructively, at the break of the story, media never mentioned any effort to solicit government’s perspective; whether the centre sought permission or not. Thus, the society was deprived of hearing the other side(s) in arriving at complete understanding of the issue, fuelling the ongoing misinformation overwhelming the nation.

Whereas the international community is condemned, equal attention is placed on government’s failure to immediately address the issue, for no doubt they would have been au fait with circulation of this news, be it from mainstream media or social media. Once again the weakness of its PR was exposed, allowing proliferation of misrepresentation as they remained inanely silent. The same should be said for GECOM. On Monday, save for the nation being reminded by two GECOM commissioners that observers once accredited for this election remain so until the election is over, otherwise the matter was not addressed.

After all the created confusion, the centre tweeted a press statement on Monday which revealed, “The Center deployed an observer to Miami who was prepared to travel to Georgetown today, but unfortunately, the flight was denied approval to carry international election observers. The Carter Centre continues to reach out to government officials to understand what is required to allow Centre Observers to return to Guyana to witness the recount process.”

The said statement made no reference to being denied entry, but seeking to engage “government officials to understand what is required to allow Centre Observers to return to Guyana to witness the recount process,” which it should continue to do. The acknowledgment of this does not constitute a request and said was denied in an effort to prevent the centre from being in Guyana to fulfil its desire to observe the elections.

Rather, it suggests that the centre was not au fait with the flight requirements and public health protocols required to satisfy entry, given the COVID-19 safeguards. It appears they may have attempted or taken for granted they could come to Guyana unprepared. In response to COVID-19 many countries, including Guyana, have locked down their airspace to international travel in efforts to contain the spread of the virus. When Guyana opens its airspace for the arrival of a chartered plane, the international crew is not allowed to deplane.

A pre-condition for arrival of the CARICOM scrutinising team was that they had to meet World Health Organisation (WHO)’s recommended requirements on COVID-19 safety precautions. Similar guidelines must be set and met by all who seek entry to Guyana while it is on lockdown, without exception. Reportedly, as of to date Guyana’s death rate has exceeded 9 per cent (based on the cases), which is above the WHO’s average of 2-4 per cent.

Some positions taken by our western allies and international election observers are not only pushing the boundaries of “good diplomacy,” time-honoured principles, and mutual respect, but openly set out to act in contravention of the International Code of Conduct pertaining to observing elections. We are witnessing engagement that no longer prides itself on formal private communication (i.e. letter, face-to-face or telephone calls) to the responsible agency seeking to address issues.

It seems as though privacy of communication, particularly on matters of such import and diplomatic sensitivity are no longer valued, hence the tweeting diplomacy which allows for open and flagrant negativity to some and support to others. This is not ‘good diplomacy’.

This kind of interaction with contempt for our rules, laws and sovereignty is more representative of a thug-like diplomacy, that is, diplomacy that fronts raw, naked aggression and bullyism; diplomacy that desires no negotiation, only compliance; a diplomacy of disrespect of others who are considered lesser than; a diplomacy that suggests we are not capable of internal resolution of differences.

Whether the government is interim, caretaker or substantive, it is the legal status quo responsible for day-to-day administration of the state. Our international diplomats know this and we expect them to respect this.

Regards
Lincoln Lewis

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_epaper_05_07_2020

…GECOM hopes to up tempo today

NOTWITHSTANDING a late start and a number of challenges, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) processed a total of 25 ballot boxes during the first day of the historic National Recount – a process which unfolded at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) under heavy police presence on Wednesday.

In Region One (Barima/Waini), seven ballot boxes were processed while six ballot boxes from Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) were counted. In Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), seven ballot boxes were counted while in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), votes from five ballot boxes were processed. There were a total of 10 working stations.

It was anticipated that more ballot boxes would have been processed during the course of Wednesday but the process got off to a late start due to several factors including the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s (PPP/C’s) failure to locate its keys for three of the containers containing ballot boxes.

Long security check line
When Guyana Chronicle arrived at the Conference Centre at around 06:50hrs, there was a long line of GECOM personnel, party agents and observers waiting to access the compound. Only those, listed on a general list provided to the police, were allowed access to the premise but not before a detailed security check. Notably, vehicles attempting to gain access, were thoroughly searched. A sniffer dog was seen checking vehicles for substances such as explosives – a move deemed necessary in light of a bomb threat that was made during the tabulation of the Region 4 Statements of Poll in March. Added to that, strict precautionary measures were put in place to prevent any spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), including the testing of body temperatures, sanitisation of hands, and the mandatory wearing of masks.

But the security check and the measures implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19 were just a small part of the problem. Having completed a briefing session with all parties involved, including observers, the GECOM officials proceeded to the back of the Conference Centre to open the containers, and it was then that the PPP/C realised that it had no keys for three of the containers on which it had placed locks. After some relays, a decision was taken to cut the chains on those containers.

Dysfunctional locks
“I think some of the guardians of democracy had dysfunctional locks, and so we couldn’t open those padlocks that were placed on the containers, so eventually we had to make a decision to nip the chains, so that also contributed to a delay,” Elections Commissioner Vincent Alexander told reporters as he offered his assessment of the first day of the recount.

He noted that, despite the initial hiccups, the process went relatively smooth, once the ballot boxes were moved from the containers to the 10 working stations that were established. However, he noted that there were a few errors and anomalies detected including the absence of Poll Books for Region One and the allegations of dead people marked as voted – issues for which the Elections Commission has committed to address.
“I think all in all, we had a relatively good day; a little slow start but a relatively good day,” Alexander said while anticipating that today (Thursday, May 7) the counting process will be accelerated within all 10 working stations.

PPP/C’s Executive Anil Nandlall told persons that generally the process was executed smoothly; but said there were fundamental issues that ought to be addressed by GECOM. He complained that the process, though smooth, was progressing slowly.
“GECOM had given us an indication that once the issues as they arise on the first day are identified and corrected, then the speed will increase rapidly and we are hoping that that will happen,” he said.

Nandlall objects again
However, Nandlall again objected to the scrutiny of the documents within the ballot boxes. According to him, the recount should be numerical, and nothing else. “What is important? Isn’t it the number of votes that each party received; that is what the recount is about. So all these unnecessary issues that they are raising is what are contributing to the delay. We want a recount of the ballots, and that is what the exercise is about,” Nandlall posited.

He is objecting to the analyzing of documents which include the number of electors struck off as voted – marked on the List of Electors; the number of ballots added through the intermixing of the ballots of the Disciplined Forces and those of non-residents, and the number of electors who voted by the use of Certificates of Employment and the number of ballot counterfoils.

But Alexander reminded reporters that the procedures being employed during the record are catered for in the order gazetted by the Elections Commission on Monday, in accordance with Article 162 of the Constitution and Section 22 of the Elections Law (Amendment) Act.

“It was dragged out for Nandlall, it was not dragged out for the order, which GECOM issued indicating those are things that you will be doing. Mr Nandlall continues the old story of not wanting to go through a process that we have decided that we will go through,” Alexander said.

He reminded that the recount is being executed in keeping with the powers GECOM has under Constitution and the Elections Law (Amendment) Act and not under the Representation of the People Act.

“This is not a Representation of the People Act, Section 89 recount. This is a recount under the Constitution, Article 162, and Section 22 of the Elections Law (Amendment) Act, which give us the scope to do what we do, and we are doing it. Mr Nandlall might not like it but we are doing it,” Alexander lamented. He said while GECOM has agreed to a final count (a recount), it has also opted to decide on the credibility of the elections, and as such, all documents within the ballot boxes will be examined before a count is proceeded with.

No stalling
Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, who is also an A Partnership for National Unity (APNU+AFC) agent, told reporters that the coalition is in no way stalling the work of GECOM, as he rubbished allegations levied by the PPP/C. He said the process of examining the contents within the ballot boxes is a critical one, noting that it was during that process the APNU+AFC detected a number of anomalies and errors, which are now being addressed by GECOM based on an established system for resolution of issues.

“It is absolutely important [for us to scrutinize the documents]…GECOM has gazetted an order, and we are following it to the letter,” Patterson told Guyana Chronicle, while questioning the PPP/C reluctance to have the contents of the ballot boxes analyzed.

Wednesday’s recount was observed by 91 party agents including those from the major political parties – the PPP/C and the APNU+AFC and a total of 14 observers from the European Union, the Organisation of American States, the Canadian High Commission, the Ethnic Relations Commission, AMCHAM, CUFFY 250 and the Private Sector Commission.
There are more than 2,300 ballot boxes to be processed during a period of 25 days.

However, the Commission has commenced the process with focus on Regions One, Two, Three and Four. The votes cast in the other six regions will be counted upon the completion of the first three regions. Region 4 votes will be counted simultaneously with the other electoral districts.

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_epaper_05_07_2020

POLICE on Friday, March 6, 2020, were left with no other alternative but to fire tear gas and rubber bullets into a mob of supporters of People Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), who had blocked off the Lusignan Public Road, East Coast Demerara, by placing utility poles and burning tyres on the main road in protest. The mob was protesting against the results declared by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and demanded a recount of the Region Four results.

The protestors claimed that the 2020 elections were “rigged” and blocked off both sections of the public road.
In a sea of yellow, red and black, the PPP protestors were well armed with placards and their party flag and they marched down the Lusignan Road to the Mon Repos Market, E.C.D.

From young to old were out in their numbers chanting words such as “we need a recount”, “my vote must count”, “when we stand, we stand for Guyana”, and “we are not standing for dictatorship.”

The elderly women sat on the utility poles, which was spread across the road and refused to move when ordered by the police.

“In my estimation, this is not a hostile crowd, the only thing that this crowd has so far done is that they blocked the road,” said Sheila Veersammy, a candidate for the PPP/C.
She stressed she had warned the supporters about the blockage of the road, but instead they told her that it was the only way that their cries would have been recognised.
“This is only one of the ways that they will be recognised or noticed that they are serious by what they mean by saying that they want democracy and they want they want their votes counted,” Veersammy said.

PPP member, Anil Nandlall, also spoke with the protestors and attempted to control the crowd.

“I’m attempting to keep them calm and to keep them mobilised, it doesn’t appear that I will be able to get them off the road or send them home but I know the situation can develop,” Nandlall told the media.

He stressed that his presence was to ensure that there is peace and there is calm, but the supporters are very agitated and outraged by what has happened,
“These people came out on their own volition, they came out on their own accord, with how frustrated they are,” Nandlall said.

As Nandlall spoke, the crowd listened to him attentively. He said, “You have the assurance from the PPP party that we will continue to do everything that is possible to protect the integrity of your votes and the electoral process and to secure your democracy.”

He urged the protesters to remain peaceful and calm and requested that they remove from the roadway.

“This is na a PPP protest! This is a people protest” the mob hurled at Nandlall.
“We shall win in the end and Irfaan Ali will be sworn in as president in the end” Nandlall declared as he explained that the party had already made an application for the region four votes be recounted.

Priya D. Manickchand, a candidate for the PPP/C spoke to the crowd at Mon Repos and told them to remain calm.

There was a high police presence as the ranks were on alert. The ranks were also verbally assaulted by some of the supporters, but this was not condoned by the senior officer on the scene.

However, as the protest went on, persons began setting more tyres on fire which caused the police riot squad to assemble. The fire tender was summoned and managed to extinguish the fire.

At that point, the police were ordering the protesters to return to their homes, however, this led to a confrontation after a man attacked a rank.

The ranks then fired tear gas and fired rubber bullets into the crowd. The crowd retreated and the police managed to control the situation. A male supporter who had brandished a firearm was also arrested. Several males were arrested for attacking and throwing glass bottles at the police.

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_e-paper_3-7-2020

RETURNING Officer for Region Three, Mohanlall Jagdeo, confirmed that he has denied a request by A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) for a recount of that Region’s votes, saying that the request did not come from the counting agent as the law provides for.

APNU+AFC Counting agent, Aubrey Norton, however denies the claim and said that the party has written to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on the situation. “He [Jagdeo] does not want a recount because he knows what they are involved in, but we will do everything to ensure that there is a recount. He can’t refuse he is just an agent. We have written GECOM. We have already taken the actions we think is necessary and await the response from the Elections Commission,” Norton said.

According to the Representation of the People Act Chapter 1:03 Article 84(2) parties have up until “noon of the day following the declaration” of results in the General and Regional elections, to request a recount, otherwise the declaration is considered final.

The law further specifies in Article 88, that requests for a recount has to come from “a duly appointed candidate, or counting agent present when the counting or recounting of votes” was conducted. Article 85 outlines that the “duly appointed candidate” would have had to have been identified and appointed by notice in writing to the district’s RO no later than seven days before the elections.

According to Jagdeo, the request for the recount was signed by the party’s Assistant Elections Agent, John Adams, and not the counting agent, Norton. Norton, however, says that two pieces of correspondence were sent to Jagdeo, with the one requesting a recount of the Region being signed by the counting agent.

Following Jagdeo’s declarations of the Region’s general and regional elections results on Wednesday, Norton confirmed that he had written Jagdeo requesting a recount of the entire region’s votes.

On Tuesday, Adams had indicated that the party had concerns about two polling stations on the West Coast Demerara following allegations of Disciplined Services ballots not being counted and another of spoilt ballots being counted.

In the case of the uncounted Disciplined Services ballots, Adams said that, according to reports, a Presiding Officer (PO) at a polling station in Vergenoegen failed to stamp, intermix and count Disciplined Services ballots assigned to that polling station.

In Guyana, the Disciplined Services, which include ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), cast their ballots for the general and regional elections on a designated date prior to Elections Day. This year, they voted on February 28, while the rest of the country voted on March 2.

The Disciplined Services ballots are not stamped on the day they vote; instead, the unstamped ballots are deposited at a random polling station on Elections Day, and stamped with that polling station’s six- digit stamp, before being intermixed and counted with all other ballots cast at that polling station. Those ballots, Adams said, were left in a separate envelope and never counted. In the other case, Adams alleges that a PO at a Parika polling station assigned a number of spoilt ballots to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_e-paper_3-7-2020

THE Alliance For Change (AFC) has said that the outcome of Monday’s elections should reflect the political will of the electorate.

In a statement, the AFC said, as a partner in the APNU+AFC Coalition, it notes the concerns that have arisen regarding the declaration of results for the General and Regional elections of March 2, 2020. According to the party, despite some concerns about the process in certain regions, the AFC believes that the elections were generally well conducted within the provisions of the Representation of the People Act.

“We take note that some of the international observers have expressed similar sentiments and have commended the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on its conduct of the Elections. We therefore regret that an otherwise orderly process has become marred by the unfortunate events relating to the declaration of the results for Region 4,” the party said.
According to the AFC the entire nation has placed its confidence in GECOM’s ability to conduct these elections in a manner that is in keeping with the legal requirements and which maintains the credibility of the process. “GECOM is the constitutional body which is legally empowered to conduct Elections and to make decisions and declarations relating to the outcome of those Elections.” The AFC said it firmly believes that the outcome of that process should reflect the political will of the electorate.

“Equally, it is the AFC’s position that there is a clear legal process to be followed if there are disagreements with GECOM’s decisions and we urge all concerned – political parties and observers – to embrace and, where appropriate, utilise those processes. All concerns and objections must be clearly documented and addressed within the framework of the law.”

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_e-paper_3-7-2020

THE once calm East Berbice, Corentyne area was filled with tension and rage as protest erupted in several communities on Friday.

Supporters of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) took to the streets in Black Bush Polder, Number 19 village, Tain and Canje, as they accused the David Granger-led  Coalition of “rigging the elections”.

The protest started in the morning session in Lesbeholden, Black Bush Polder and by noon the protesters converged at Tain where they had a standoff with police ranks who were trying to maintain peace and order.

During the demonstration, several of the protestors blocked the road and refused to budge. After several warnings, they began throwing water on the police officers who continued to warn them. As the situation escalated, one of the protesters was behaving disorderly and an officer struck him with baton and dealt him some blows which caused injuries to the head.

As the police arrested the man and placed him in the vehicle, the crowd tried to reason with the police to release him, and as the police vehicle was about to drive off, the protester began hurling bricks and other objects at the officer.

The man attempted to escape but collapsed and had to be rushed to the Port Mourant Hospital.

The back windshield of the pickup was shattered as ranks jumped out of the vehicle to avoid shards of glass piercing them. Senior ranks on the scene managed to control the situation for a little while until the protestors started to burn tires later in the afternoon, bringing traffic to a standstill.

As attempts were made to arrest some persons, the crowd continued to throw objects which led to several warning shots being fired in the air in an effort to disperse the crowd. It was until teargas was used the police was able to gain some control.

Not letting up, the protestors threw the teargas canisters back at the police and started to hurl missiles in their direction. Eventually, the police, after realising the crowd was not responding, decided to use more teargas followed by riot procedures to force the protesters off the streets and into their homes. A number of persons, including children, were affected by the dispersion of the gas. Warning shots were also fired in the air.

The road was finally clear by 18:00hrs with the police maintaining a strong presence to prevent the protestors from gathering.

Speaking with this publication, Divisional Commander, Calvin Brutus, confirmed that four ranks had to be treated for injuries received.

Brutus said he has nothing against peaceful protest but the hostility and endangerment of the lives of his ranks would not be encouraged or tolerated.

Meanwhile, as word spread of the protest action, business owners hurriedly closed their doors and sent home their staff. By mid-afternoon, all the stores, including the banks, were closed in Rose Hall Town, leaving the commercial hub looking like a ghost town.

PPP/C regional representatives who were present at Tain tried to maintain control of the crowd and get them to disband peacefully. Zamal Hussain explained that he was disappointed by the actions of the police and felt they could have used less force to get the crowd to disperse.

The tension in the region, including Region Five, has left several officers suffering from chop wounds, sprained ankles, and injuries from bricks, among others.

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_e-paper_3-7-2020

By Svetlana Marshall

THREE school children were rushed to the Fort Wellington Public Hospital after the bus they were in came under attack by violent People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) supporters in Bush Lot on the West Coast of Berbice (WCB), Region Five. Another school bus was also attacked in the vicinity of Bat Settlement, WCB.

The Fort Wellington Secondary School students, ages 13, 14 and 15, were heading home from school at around 12:30hrs in one of the David ‘G’ Buses when the PPP/C supporters started hurling stones and other large objects at the bus, shattering the back windscreen in the process.

At the time, the supporters were protesting the move by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to declare Region Four votes although the verification process had not been completed. The protest, however, was far from peaceful. The PPP/C supporters had set on fire a number of tyres and other debris on the main access road – thereby blocking any ingress or egress, despite pleas from ranks of the Guyana Police Force for them to disperse and go home.

When the Guyana Chronicle visited the Fort Wellington Public Hospital, two of the students had already been treated for minor lacerations about their bodies and another undergoing medical attention. According to doctors at the health institution, one of the three children suffered head injuries.

Under adult supervision, one of the victims told the Guyana Chronicle that they were making their way home when the bus was stoned down. Clearly traumatised, the teen, who resides at Belladrum with her grandmother, could not hold back the tears as she detailed the incident.

“While we were heading towards Bush Lot, an Indian guy, he pelted the bus back and the glass scrapped my hands,” the student recalled. At the time, the 15-year-old student was sitting at the back of the bus with her colleagues. “The lady in the bus said everyone bend down, and put your bag over your head,” she further recalled.

A similar incident took place at Bath, in which a David ‘G’ Bus transporting children came under siege.

People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) Region Five Chair, Vinceroy Jordan, said it was not only unfortunate, but unacceptable that protestors would attack children proceeding home from school. “The children were in the provided David ‘G’ School Bus, which is David ‘G’ No. 1, and the residents of Bush Lot Village they started pelting objects towards the bus, and they have since shattered the windscreen of the bus, and injured three children,” he reported.

Jordan reported too, that in Bath Settlement, the bus was swarmed by the protesting PPP/C supporters. “The bus was held hostage for a period of time but to say exactly what happened after, I would not be able to say, but in Bush Lot, I know for a fact that the Police Commander vehicle was damaged and the school bus, the windscreen was shattered,” he told this newspaper. Regional Transport Officer of Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice), Nigel Wilson, told the Guyana Chronicle that the bus, which came under attack in Bath Settlement, was transporting children from school en route to Rosignol and Blairmont.
Up to press time, no arrest has been made in connection with these two incidents. The Latchman Singh Primary School and Bush Lot Secondary School were in session on Friday morning but a decision was subsequently taken to dismiss school at mid-day in light of the violent protest.

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_e-paper_3-7-2020

…’Stay home and await further guidance’

AMID protest actions on the East Coast and Bath Settlement on Friday, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has called on all of their supporters to remain calm and act in a peaceful manner during this period.

In a statement, the party said “while we understand the hurt, frustration and fear, we have the solidarity of the international community.” The opposition party said that statements have also been made by the diplomatic community, the international election observer missions, the US State Department, the representatives of the United States of America (USA) Congress, British Parliamentarian, Barry Gardiner; The Elder, an international NGO founded by Nelson Mandela, and other international organizations, as well as local stakeholders. They have all made it clear that, as it stands, results of the Elections cannot be “credibly declared” and there can be no swearing in of a president since such an action would be illegal.

“The PPP agrees with the international community; there can be no swearing in of a new president under the current circumstances. The Party wishes to also warn that public officers, especially constitutional office holders, facilitating such an illegal action would be complicit in the perpetuation of electoral fraud in Guyana. The Party also agrees with the international community that there must be a return to the process of verifying the results of the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections for Region 4, using the Statements of Polls, as required by law.

This is the only process that will deliver free and fair elections and ensure that the will of the Guyanese people is not subverted. The People’s Progressive Party continues to work towards this objective. The PPP urges supporters to ensure that none of their actions is in contradiction with the laws of Guyana; stay home and await further guidance from the Party,” the statement ended.

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_e-paper_3-7-2020

A STRING of violent protest actions sprang up in People’s Progressin Party/ Civic (PPP/C) stronghold areas on Friday over the results from Monday’s General and Regional Elections, which show, that the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) is in the lead with 237,140 votes – 7, 690 votes more than the PPP/C. 

In Bush Lot and Bath Settlement on the West Coa􀁓t of Berbice (WCB), Region Five, irate supporters blocked the main access road along the WCB corridor before setting it on fire. 

When the Guyana Chronicle arrived at Bush Lot at around I 3:30hrs, the protesters were burning tyres on the main access road, in the vicinity of the Guyana Presbyterian Church – Bush Lot. It was not long after that they broke down a wooden food shed and dragged it unto the road before setting it setting it alight. Thick black smoke could be seen billowing into the air as the protestors hurled racial slurs as ranks of the Guyana Police Force stood a short distance away. 

On the opposite end from where the police stood, residents from neighbouring villages could be seen approaching the blocked area but before U1ey could have gotten closer, the Bush Lot residents started pelting glass bot­tles in their direction. 

Meanwhile, on the other end, just pass the police officers, a small group of residents from neighboring villages could be seen with pieces of wood and cutlasses in their hands. Attempts were made to confront the PPP/C supporters but the Divisional Commander, Yonette Stephens, and her ranks kept them at bay, even as she urged them to go home. 

The neighbouring residents had expressed concerns for the wellbeing of their children who attend the Bush Lot Secondary School. 

Moments after, police with riot gears ap­peared in tile location and quickly dispersed

the crowd. The fire fighters later arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. 

At Bush Lot, the Divisional Commander told the Guyana Chronicle tllat the situation was under control. She noted then tllat her di­vision. was monitoring three locations- one at Bush Lot and two at Bath Settlement. Ranks from both Regions Four and Six were sent to the locations to offer assistance. 

But while the situation at Bush Lot was brought under control, Bath had proven to be problematic for the police. Initially, the pro­testors set old fam1ing equipment on fire on a bridge. on the WCB corridor. From a distance, police officers with riot gears lined the road, and slowly approached the area while chant­ing “This is an unlawful gathering, disperse and go home,􀃼 but the protestors failed to heed to the warning. 

A man was seen walking towards the police. He wa􀄄 subsequently asked to move. Though the protestors did not evacuate the area, the pol ice manage to take control of the bridge. The fire was put out by the Fire Service and tile huge farming equipment was removed from the bridge. 

But even as the police were clearing the bridge, the protestors 􀄝gan lighting more 6res throughout the length of the road :spanning the village of Bath. When the Guyana Chronicle left the scene, there was no physical confrontation between the protestors and the police. A resident of Bath, who looked on from her yard, told the G nyana Chronicle that residents were triggered by GECOM’s decision to declare the votes for Rtgion Four (Demerara-Ma­haica) without following the established veri6ution process.

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_e-paper_3-7-2020