Dear Editor,
THE Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha is deeply concerned about the occurrences at the Guyana Elections Commission over the past few days which culminated in the purported declaration of the results for Region 4 without the required verification process being completed as required by law.

Our democracy is precious, and must be maintained and defended. Elections offer Guyanese an opportunity to vote for a government of their choice, and GECOM is responsible for conducting free and fair elections with honesty, integrity and transparency in strict accordance with our laws.

The international and local observers, Diplomatic community and contesting parties have all stated that the results announced for Region 4 lack credibility, and have called for the legally-required verification process, using the statements of poll to be resumed as soon as possible. We join this call, and strongly urge GECOM, including its Chairperson,

Commissioners, Chief Executive Officer, Regional Officer and staff, to complete the process in accordance with our laws, so that an accurate result of Region 4, and the elections as a whole, could be announced and legitimacy given to the elections. Any attempt to swear in a President without following the correct legal procedures would be illegal, and bring our country into disrepute, and the legitimacy of any government so formed into question.

We congratulate the people of Guyana for turning out in large numbers to participate in the elections, thereby showing great commitment to preserving democracy in our beautiful country. The unwarranted delays have led to mounting frustration and tensions. Daily activities have come to a virtual standstill, and your patience is being tested. We urge you to remain calm and peaceful.

GECOM and the political parties must be responsible and uphold our constitution and laws. The wellbeing of Guyana and its people should be your only priority. Let democracy prevail.

Regards,
Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha

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

…several groups call on observers to denounce actions

THE opposition, People’s Progressive Party has been roundly condemned by a number of groups for invading the command centre of the Guyana Elections Commission between Wednesday night and the whole of Thursday.

Police Commissioner, Leslie James said that police have been justified in arresting three individuals at the Centre at High and Hadfield Streets due to disorderly behaviour which, it said, was led by leaders of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

In a statement, police said that around 15:00hrs, Thursday, GECOM’s Returning Officer (RO) of Region Four, Clairmont Mingo, was in the process of declaring the Region’s General and Regional Results for the 2020 Elections, when Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, Former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall and other supporters started to make “loud and continuous protesting that he continue the verification process.”

Mingo allegedly withdrew himself and exited the location which was followed by Nandlall’s departure and return to the centre with three injunctions from the High Court to block the release and declaration of the results. “On his return to the location he tried desperately to have the court order served on GECOM Chairperson Justice Claudette Singh, who was in her office, feeling unwell. Mr. Nandlall was informed of her condition but he insisted that he must see her. In doing so, Nandlall was joined by Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, Inspector Prem Narine of the Guyana Police Force Regional District 4 and other contesting party members and breached security and kicked open the door to the GECOM Chairperson and confronted her,” the police report stated.

It was reported that Senior Superintendent, Phillip Azore, and team intervened which led to the arrest of the three persons.

Intimidating staff
Meanwhile, a GECOM Commissioner told this newspaper that Jagdeo and other PPP heads were actively involved in intimidating the members of the Commission- all with the intention to create confusion and fear at the centre. “Jagdeo called Roxanne Myers’ [Deputy Chief Elections Officer] name no less than ten times. The entire scenario recounted by him showed that he engineered the entire attack by a mob but now telling the world that they were rescuing the Chairman,” the Commissioner said.

“The PPP Presidential candidate, Irfaan Ali, was part of that mob and some of the observers too. One of the observers- Anter Narine was arrested. These people were tussling with the police in order to go through to the office. It is absolutely unacceptable that this could happen here. They actually launched an attack on GECOM and the police were ineffective,” the commissioner said. When it was rumoured that Justice Singh was ill, an ambulance with Emergency Medical Responders would later arrive at the scene with an oxygen bottle and other apparatus, but they were not allowed to enter the office of the Chair, located on the second floor of the building. It was unclear who called in the Emergency Medical Responders, but the Guyana Chronicle was reliably informed that it was not Justice Singh. A live Facebook feed from inside the building showed Jagdeo telling International Observers that Justice Singh was being held against her will, and the police was complicit. “Let’s see the Chair! Let’s see the Chair! Let’s see the Chair,” a number of persons were heard chanting amid heavy police presence within the facility. The chants later turned into a physical confrontation with ranks of the GPF, as the agents associated with the PPP and a number of other smaller political parties attempted to bulldoze their way into the room in which the GECOM Chair had retired.

GRAVELY DISAPPOINTING
Meanwhile, in a video statement, Campaign Manager of the APNU+AFC Joseph Harmon said that it was gravely disappointing that Ali and Jagdeo had barged into the building and stayed beyond the lawful time for which they were allowed to be there. He said that he had received calls from persons who felt threatened by the commotion, and the eventual presence of heavily armed men. “I think this is a very serious act on the part of the PPP and certainly it is likely to damage the credibility of the information which is coming out of that facility. Certainly, it is something which, as a government, we condemn in the strongest possible terms and Mr. Ali or anyone, nobody should feel that they have the right to barge into a facility like that and demand information and threaten the persons who are there working.”

For its part the Alliance For Change (AFC), referred to the event as an “invasion” stating that the behaviour was unbecoming of persons who seek to become leaders of the country at the head of government. “This display of hostility and hooliganism has created an atmosphere of fear and tension at GECOM’s office and among its personnel. It has also contributed to the creation of a volatile situation in various areas of the country where there are now sporadic instances of unlawful behavior,” the AFC stated. “This unsavory behaviour must be repudiated and condemned by all who would wish to maintain Guyana’s democracy. The AFC is encouraging all Guyanese to remain calm and to act at all times in the interest of Guyana and our democracy. We must resolve our disagreements in accordance with the stipulated legal process. The AFC as a partner in the Coalition Government gives our citizens the assurance that it will do all in its power to support a resolution of the current situation acceptable to all stakeholders and to have an appropriate review of our electoral arrangements undertaken to foster greater confidence in the outcome of future elections.”

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

Dear Editor,
AS a Guyanese citizen, I must highly commend the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for a job well done. Indeed, managing elections at the national and the regional levels in a society that is profoundly divided along racial lines such as ours, with a system that is yet imperfect, given its heavy dependence on the human element, is no child’s play. In fact, it is an extremely difficult and treacherous job to get done. Nevertheless, GECOM got it done. Therefore, commendations are in order. Well done GECOM!

That, notwithstanding, there seems to have been certain very worrying issues that appeared to have impinged on the general functionality, work and independence of that Constitutional body (GECOM). I would like to comment briefly on two such issues that continue to titillate my mind: The Verification Process and Returning Officers (ROs), and the purpose of International and Local Observers of our electoral process here, in Guyana. First, as far as I am aware, Returning Officers are empowered to carry out certain functions, including the responsibility to ascertain results from elections held in districts over which they have supervisory powers.

As far as I am aware, too, in ascertaining those results, Returning Officers are not particularly obliged to confer with anyone, apart from those officers who work under their supervision in their respective districts. One must therefore ask the question: What can stakeholders do if they are dissatisfied with results ascertained by ROs? The answer could not be a massive collective increase in decibels while those results are being announced by ROs as has happened on Thursday at the GECOM office. That would result in making the entire process destitute of focus, and in fact, any semblance of good order. Surely, there must be another way of recourse to a practicable resolution.

Second, on the question of observers, it has to be said that all over the world, countries use international and local observers during their elections, particularly for the purpose of improving their electoral processes.

For years, we, in Guyana have cherished and placed great store on the value, [knowledge, experiences, and competencies] Observers bring to the advancement of our electoral process. Nevertheless, it seems quite clear to me, as a Guyanese, that those who have been accredited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with Observer Status should not attempt to participate in the electoral process beyond observation. If they do, then they run the risk of compromising not only their noble and most valuable status as Observers, but also the entire electoral process activated by GECOM. The purpose of the observers is not to fix the process but to observe and report.

But from reports in certain sections of our local media, it seems to me that the clear and distinct line between observer-status and participators, or participating responsibility, has been troublingly blurred. This manifested itself on Thursday, March 5, 2020 in the crowding of the space of GECOM by some of the Observers. One is left with the serious question on what must be the acceptable distance that should exist between observers and the administration and staff at GECOM.

I wonder if it is normal that observers get so close to the process, to the point where they feel that they can exercise the right to enter into the offices of GECOM officials without being properly invited at such a sensitive time? Or is it usual, in some countries, including the countries of origins of some of the current observers in Guyana for its 2020 elections) for observers to proffer their opinions, seek interventions, and in any way influence electoral processes while the process is in progress? I have not been able to find examples of this behaviour in other countries by observers.

I rather suspect that observers are expected to observe the conduct of elections, and at the conclusion of those processes involved submit their observations and recommendations to the respected and respective authorities to improve the systems, methods and approaches used to conduct free fair and credible elections. I am recommending, not as an observer, but as a Guyanese, that GECOM review the management and security of the space in which it operates.

Regards,
Royston King

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

THE international observer missions from the Commonwealth, the Organization of American States, the European Union, and The Carter Center issue the following statement:
The tabulation of results for the election in Region 4 was interrupted and remains incomplete. The law requires that tabulation must be conducted in the presence of party agents and observers. Until this transparent process takes place, the counting of votes recorded for Region 4 remains incomplete.

The transparent tabulation of results for Region 4 must be resumed in order to proceed to the establishment of national results. A calm and conducive environment must be provided by the police. We urge all political parties to adhere to the codes of conduct signed by them.

The Guyana Elections Commission, including the chairperson, the commissioners, the chief election officer, the returning officer and deputy returning officers in Region 4 must be available and committed to establish the results for Region 4 in accordance with the law. Until this occurs, the result of these elections cannot be credibly declared.

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

…President tells Caricom, OAS officials

DURING a meeting with Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Ambassador Irwin LaRocque and the Organization of the American States (OAS), President David Granger made it clear that he cannot interfere with the work of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and will await a final declaration before any action is taken.

His comments to the international representatives come at a time when the country awaits several recounts of votes cast in the General and Regional Elections and the final declaration on the victors of the Elections. At the Ministry of the Presidency on Friday, the President told the Secretary-General that the March 2, 2020 Elections were orderly and in full compliance with the law and the Constitution.

However, the outstanding processes by the Commission have held up the final result and the President said that he clearly understands and wants the diplomatic community to know that GECOM is an autonomous body which cannot be directed by the President.
“The Head of State reminded that GECOM is a Constitutional body and it is unlawful for the Executive to interfere in the operations of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). The President said also that it is not the role of the Executive to interfere in the work of the Commission. The President has not acted unlawfully,” a release from the Ministry of the Presidency stated. The President said in clear terms to the international representatives: “We are awaiting the final declaration from GECOM.” The President has briefed also the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Baroness Patricia Scotland and Chairman of CARICOM, Rt Hon. Mia Mottley via telephone. On Friday the Head of State briefed diplomats from Britain, the United States of America, Canada and the European Union.

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

Dear Editor,
AFTER viewing the events on Thursday, March 5, 2020 as reported by the media houses covering the verification process of Region 4 at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Centre on High and Hadfield Streets, I am respectfully appealing to the Chair and Commissioners of GECOM and to the leadership of the contesting political parties to ensure that verification of the Statements of Poll and the Declaration of the Results by the Returning Officer of District 4, and the Official Declaration of Results of the 2020 National and Regional Elections by the Chief Elections Officer be in compliance with the relevant Act and the Constitution of Guyana.

To deviate in District 4 from a process that was reportedly applied relatively smoothly in the nine other Districts, and to treat apparently dismissively with the genuine concerns raised by the contesting parties, as well as those raised by local and international accredited Observers, is to court disaster.

I hold no brief for any political party, but am an advocate for the right of every citizen to have his or her vote accurately attributed to the political party of choice, and for the accurate tabulation, verification and declaration of the results. To do otherwise is to taint the democratic process with allegations of fraud, to insult the intelligence of Guyanese, and to incur the criticism and sanctions of the international community. Such a scenario will exacerbate the lack of confidence in national institutions, betray the inviolability of the Constitution, and set a poor example to the younger generations of Guyanese. More immediately, it will fuel tensions among supporters of the political parties whose expectations have been raised and those who will feel cheated. Arbitrary decisions that are based on self-interest and which are patently inconsistent with the Constitution, will take us down a slippery slope of confusion and chaos that will have far reaching consequences for our plural society and for Guyana’s future.

I appeal to all for good sense to prevail, to pull back from the precipice and in a mature, responsible and patriotic manner seek to urgently resolve the current crisis facing our democracy.

Yours sincerely,
Joseph G Singh
Major General (retd)
Former Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence

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

DIRECTOR-General of the Ministry of the Presidency and co-campaign manager of the co­alition APNU+AFC has called on the leaders of the Opposition 

Peoples Progressive Party/Civic {PPP/C) to issue peace orders to its supporters following vio­lent protests on the East Coast of Demerara and Berbice on Friday. 

Harmon noted on Friday eve­ning that while tl1e country awaits the results of Monday’s elections, the protest action which resulted in many being injured, was under­taken based on the inferences of the intellectual authors within the PPP and their calls for their sup­porters to get engaged in sorts of lawlessness” as seen in various coastal regions on Friday. 

“So this is not a good situa­tion, and we would like to have this matter dealt with quickly;’ he said. 

He called on the PPP/C hier­archy to exercise leadership, and refrain from the physical damage which occurred on Friday. Har­mon said children were injured simply because they were trav­elling in a ‘David G’ school bus. 

He called on the PPP/C to en­sure that the country does not de­generate into ‘strife’, noting that Guyana is a blessed country. He said that President David Granger

has already issued a call for calm during this time, and for the pop­ulation to act with restraint. 

Harmon also called on his party supporters to not to be provoked, noting it is part of a plan by the PPP/C to make the country ungovernable. He said he is convinced that Guyanese are right-thinking., and are famil­iar with what is at stake for the country at the moment. 

Harmon said the numbers show clearly d1at the APNU+AFC are well ahead of any of the other political parties following the elections. 

He said the next step should be for a declaration to be made by the Chief Elections Officer, fol­lowed by a meeting of the Guyana Elections Commission {GECOM)

and confirmation of the results by the commission. Thereafter, the chair of GECOM sends a statement to the Chancellor of the Judiciary who will act to have the President swam in. 

He said the Commission should have met on Friday to conclude the process when the PPP/C served an injunction on it. 

Harmon said the Chair of the Commission, Retired Justice Claudette Singh decided she will follow what the court says, and agreed that the procedure for swearing-in will be put on hold and the parties will go to court tills morning where the injunction will be heard. 

He said the APNU+AFC ex­pects the situation to be treated with some amount ,of sped.

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

…operatives threatened, roughed-up GECOM workers

GUYANA Trades Union Congress (GTUC) said it was surprised and disappointed to see footage of an invasion of GECOM by opposition forces on the pretext that their interest was the safety of GECOM’s Chair, Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh.

At the centre of the invasion was Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, former president of Guyana, under whose leadership citizens were shot down in the compound of the Office of the President,” the GTUC said in a strongly-worded statement on Friday.

The union noted that Mark Benschop, a journalist and social activist, was subsequently charged with treason. He spent five years incarcerated, most of the time in solitary confinement, for simply being in a crowd on the road. He was subsequently released without a trial. “Mr. Jagdeo today feels he has the right to lead an unruly group in an invasion of GECOM to check on Justice Singh’s safety which is not his job. The safety of Justice Singh is that of the Guyana Police Force and or authorised designated State security operatives,” the GTUC said. Jagdeo had even gone to the media alleging that Justice was being held against her will.

“We remember that those who were brutally gunned down were seeking audience with President Jagdeo. The gates were opened. The President was not in office nor at risk but Mr. Jagdeo government and supporters referred to the group in the most derogatory fashion and claimed the intent was to harm the President. Should this nation, under the watchful eyes of international observers, take note of the Jagdeo-led invasion of GECOM as an intended threat to Justice Singh? Should someone or those persons identifiable by video footage be charged with obstruction or whatever drastic charges possible? Or should we accept their expressed concerns as sufficient to let such behaviours go unchecked?” The GTUC added.

According to the GTUC, at the very least, the people of Guyana should expect that such conduct would be condemned in the strongest possible term. “The laws of this country must be upheld even as the right to protest must be respected. The behaviours tolerated at GECOM must never be allowed to happen again. Due process must prevail and all parties must adhere to the channels through which their grievances can be discussed and reviewed. Outside of that there is judicial recourse. Guyana is not the Wild West and Mr.

Jagdeo must not feel he is the toughest cowboy leading a charge for valour.”

Also noted in another video was the threat meted out by an Opposition local observer to female police ranks during the exercise of their duty. That person turned to PPP presidential candidate Irfaan Ali and said, “Dr. Ali, […] you must mark these police faces when the government change they must know their jobs in jeopardy.”

GTUC is deeply concerned about the attempt to erode law and order and the threat to innocent workers in the course of executing their duty professionally. It is one thing for political leaders to engage in public disagreements. It’s another when public servants and police are either being threatened or prevented from executing their duty in a safe environment.

GTUC calls on all law abiding Guyanese, all community leaders, civil society, political leaders, international observers to condemn the barrage of Jagdeo-led invasion of GECOM and the threat to innocent workers including officers of the Guyana Police Force. Mr Jagdeo cannot want the PPP to lead this nation by invoking anarchy and continued disrespect for the law when he is not in government.

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

THE Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) commended the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for what it called a smooth and transparent “elections day” voting process.
In a press release, on Friday, the GPSU said it viewed the March 2 elections as, free, fair and free from fear.

“We also commend the electors for their patience and the orderly manner in which they went about casting their ballots and, the Guyana Police Force for the professional manner in which they discharged their duties,” the release said.

The Union, which is a local GECOM accredited observer and a major stakeholder representing Public Sector workers’ interest, has observed polling at hundreds of polling stations across five administrative regions and recognizes that, it has an obligation to bring to the attention of GECOM Officials, and the electorate at large, matters, which, in the Union’s opinion, are likely to jeopardise the credibility of the election’s process.

In accordance with the Representation of the People’s Act Cap 1:03; Part 9; section 85 (1)
“The election agent of each group of candidates may appoint one of the candidates, hereinafter in this part referred to as the ‘duly appointed candidate’ to attend at the counting of the votes in a district.”

The GPSU said that the presence of a large number of persons within the counting area of the Returning Officer’s Office in District 4, contravenes the aforementioned act. “This should have been censured by several senior political operatives, including the PPP/C Presidential Candidate Mr. Ifraan Ali, all of whom seemed not to have discouraged their supporters who were engaged in the lawless abuse of GECOM employees and members of the Guyana Police Force in Uniform. These attacks resulted in damage to property and coercion of GECOM Staff and law enforcement officers in uniform. All in full view and in the company of both local and International Observers,” the release said.

The Union said it would not ignore that these groups may have concerns; however, the fact remains that disorderly, lawlessness and irresponsible behaviour, ought not to be tolerated.
The Union said it has taken note of numerous statements from these observer missions via both print and electronic media “but sadly, the aforementioned behaviour was completely ignored.”

“The Union strongly condemns this kind of behaviour in no uncertain terms and calls on all to observe the law, allow GECOM to do its work efficiently, professionally and in an atmosphere free from fear,” the GPSU said in its release.

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

Dear Editor,

STABROEK News unilaterally terminated their contract with the Government because they thought the electorate would kick out the APNU-AFC Government after the No-Confidence Motion. The Government simply found new understanding working partners. After a few months, Stabroek News returned and discovered that their service was no longer needed. They went on a crying campaign, to no avail.

Fast forward today. The owner of Giftland Mall is taking similar line of action. His argument is that Region 4’s votes need to be verified. Nobody would deny that, but for it to occur unimpeded, then the PPP needs to stop invading GECOM and threatening its staff. They need to stop kicking down the office door of the Madam Chairwoman. They need to stop threatening the employees. They need to stop their bomb threats. In essence, the safety of the employees is more important than verification. The GECOM has a duty of care to their employees and visitors.

My concern is that the Guyanese people have experienced worse in the recent past under the PPP. The Beepat family was completely silent. Guyanese were murdered; innocently incarcerated for treason; a phantom squad taking over the security of our country, led by a convicted drug lord; a sitting Minister was murdered; pervasive corruption; Guyana was reduced to a narco-state; court papers were thrown over the shoulders of a presidential candidate when Guyana was experiencing a similar electoral problem and much more. Where was the “patriotic” Beepat family?

The PSC and the Beepat family are not bothered about the interest of Guyana. Don’t let them fool you! They are interested in their business empires. If they were interested in Guyana, with their quasi-patriotism, they would have acted when PPP destroyed Guyana by inflicting those horrible aforementioned atrocities. The PPP refused to allow the DEA into Guyana, but this Government allowed them in, recognising that drugs were destroying our youths.
The government has shown leadership, and is acting in your interest. You rightfully voting them back into office is commendable. There is one other favour I wish to ask. Give Giftland Mall the Stabroek News treatment. Whenever they reopen, simply tell them, “Sorry mate, we found a mall closer to the wise folks at the University of Guyana.” Show them that the costumer is always boss.

Regards,
Dr. Mark Devonish

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