Dear Mr Wesley Kirton,

I AM deeply saddened that you would choose to drive fear into the minds of your fellow Guyanese people. You wrote so much about U.S. sanctions, you also posted a video that is not that of the State Department according to your statement, you were advised of what is about to happen to Guyana, because of concerns surrounding the recent elections. Your attempt was to create doubts, instability and fear amongst the most vulnerable; you have misled the Guyanese public.  Just like you I have access to the State Department through the FOIA. I also have access to my senators and my congressional members. I decided to fact check your information with the state department; be it known that your information is false. Below you would find the State Department’s information on Guyana.  Keep in mind your information was neither found on the State Department’s page, CNN, NYC Times, Reuters, or any of the major U.S. news outlets. I am sure this information would not be classified; if classified, you would not be privy to such information unless you have a security clearance to that level and the right to know.  When a U.S. senator/ congressperson or a U.S. official says they are paying attention to developments in a country, that does automatically morph into sanctions.  Such critical information must pass through many channels prior to being published publicly; more than likely a letter of warning would be penned to the president of the country advising of such steps.  Please be reminded that sanctions are not given out willy nilly to any nation. They are many nations who have experienced worst election periods with civil war erupting throughout their histories and they were not sanctioned.

Should the State Department have allegations of corruption and election tampering against the Guyana officials, it must have some substantial proof which may include: proof of the government strategically relocating polling stations without providing adequate notice to voters; performing various disruptive functions on behalf of current government,” or curtailing the freedom of the press and restricting the democratic process using state-controlled media and other allegations. None of these examples to name a few occurred.

Please take note that the elections “were marked as fair and free by all involved including observers, until the opposition recognised that they lost the elections. At that time they decided to ramp up the propaganda of numerous irregularities and rigging of elections; they worked assiduously to involve the observers in private engagements to psychologically convince them that what they were seeing was unfair and irregular. They managed to control the minds of the unsuspecting foreigners and local representatives by planting the images that Region Four had suddenly become a problem or by offering financial contributions.  Keep in mind they received no complaints from the numerous polling stations of irregularities in voting in Region Four prior to the final assessment of the SOPs at GECOM.  It’s very disturbing that you would stoop this low and still claim your love for country and the average man or woman, it is obvious that you have your own agenda that strongly suggests fraud helped the ruling party unexpectedly win a majority of the government. There are no acceptable or current reasons for the U.S. to have plans to levy any sanctions on Guyan. Therefore, I suggest you come clean with the Guyanese people with your post and false allegations.

Regards
Concerned Citizen

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_e-paper_3-22-2020

Dear Editor,

EXCEPT for the iconoclast and the radicals, I believe that the rest of Guyana is anxious to overcome the wide political gulf that is apparent as a result of Elections 2020. I broke my curfew to attend a funeral on the West Bank, and spent some time on a fish wharf earlier today (before daybreak), and this is the impression I got from persons who may have supported either side of our unhappy political divide.

President David Granger has clung to the proper position, and, as a Statesman, made it clear that he is not prepared to interfere with constitutionally-established bodies, including GECOM. The independence of these constitutionally-independent bodies is crucial to securing the integrity and viability of our Nation’s State. It appears that under some pressure, he and the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, at the instance of our CARICOM friends and others, signed an MOU, seeking the recount of votes in all of the regions.

This Jadgeo-Granger agreement has been challenged, and I dictate this letter before the Court may have adjudicated on this matter. But, Dear Editor, after over six decades of efforts by our political and other leaders, the March 2020 events have shown that our beloved Guyana is still unhappily polarized, and therefore vulnerable to the machinations of imperialist forces, which are far from dead. History has a puckish way of repeating itself. The trouble is that Mankind seems unable to benefit from the lessons that history has to offer, and Guyana seems to be no different, and to quote prize-winning historian Barbara Touchman in her well-researched publication, ‘The March of Folly’, “A phenomenon noticeable throughout history, regardless of place or period, is the pursuit by governments (I add and political leaders) of policies contrary to their own interests…” Mankind, it seems, makes a poorer performance of government than of almost any other human activity. In this sphere, wisdom, which may be defined as the exercise of judgement acting on experience, commonsense and available information is less operative and more frustrated than it should be.

Why do holders of high office so often act contrary to the way reason points, and enlightened self-interest suggests? Why does intelligent mental process seem so often not to function? For now, I wish to allude to statements made by two prominent members of our Portuguese Community; persons I once regarded as credible Guyanese and friends. In my tribute on Portuguese Arrival Day, I singled out Christopher ‘Kit’ Nascimiento and the Gouveias of Lodge, who, of course, would have included Captain Gerry Gouveia. Recent statements by these two friends of mine have been cause for worry and disbelief. ‘Chris’ said that the elections have been rigged; judging from the tone of his letter, he is suggesting that APNU/AFC is trying to rig the elections.

This is absurd, untrue and unfortunate. My friend, ‘Kit’, has been in the political hustings for nearly as long as I have, and should know that you don’t make statements of that kind without credible evidence. As I noted earlier, my contact with ordinary folks and a worrying situation is that there is a developing perception that we have not lost the old Portuguese disdain for certain ordinary folks. You must remember the ‘Angel Gabriel Riots’; under pressure, blacks turned against the Portuguese shopkeepers in Georgetown. Similar provocation and discrimination led to the ‘Cent Bread Riots’, which started around the Stabroek Market. We must be very careful not to expose our deep-seated prejudices. Where were the Gouveias and the Nascimentos when the ‘Coalition’, led by the PNC, complained about a bloated list? Not a squeak from these gentlemen. The truth of the matter is that this whole contention about the 2020 Election is born out of the use of a bloated list, which allowed a certain type of manipulation of Election Day.

Recent investigations show that in certain areas, the PPP received votes greater than those on the Voters’ List (indications of high-class rigging). Yet, nary a word from Kit. When Opposition members, including Mr. Yearwood, a burly Portuguese-local white, assaulted a small-built Afro-Guyanese female, not a word of condemnation. It is that some folks believe they are still part of an elite. Is it the same philosophy that led to the Rupununi Uprising in 1969, when the Melvilles and the Harts, the local Portuguese-whites group said that they were not prepared to be ruled by the likes of Burnham, hence the ‘Uprising’, where Afro-Guyanese policemen were shot and killed. This letter seeks not to ignite, but to remind others that we should be a ‘Bridge over troubled waters’, remembering our troubled history.

The advice to my friends is to deal with facts and evidence, and to know that perceptions still exist among certain folks when we said ‘Massa day done.” I end by saying when we celebrated Portuguese Arrival Month, I lauded the many Portuguese who made a solid contribution. My own personal experience with many Portuguese is one of love and mutual respect. For the records, I refer to the likes of John Fernandes (Honest John), his son, Chris; John Gabriel Joaquin; Carl D’Aguiar, Mackenzie businessman; Eugene Francis Correia, after whom the Ogle Airport is named; Joseph De Barros (Uncle Joe of Howes Street, Charlestown); Joe Vieira (Houston Estate); Dr. Jose Da Silva; Peter Stanislaus D’Aguiar; and a host of others who contributed to the wholesomeness of our society. Let us not have them turn in their graves.

Regards,
Hamilton Green

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_e-paper_3-21-2020

…President hopeful of solution to elections challenges
…says GECOM, judiciary must be allowed to function without interference

PRESIDENT David Granger, in addressing the current electoral impasse, said should the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and the Judiciary be allowed to execute their functions without inference, a solution to current challenges facing the country would be forthcoming.

It has been 19 days since thousands of Guyanese went to the polls but attempts by the elections commission to declare the results have been met with one litigation after another. Amid claims of a flawed electoral process, President Granger and Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, had agreed to have the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) supervise a national recount of all the votes cast on March 2, but that too was blocked by an injunction filed in the High Court last Tuesday (March 17).

In an address to the nation on Friday night, the Head of State, who has repeatedly iterated his respect for the Constitution, laws of the country, Judiciary and GECOM, said the independent institutions must be allowed to carry out their mandate. “I have iterated, always, my commitment to respect the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, to protect the integrity of the chairperson and members of the elections commission and to obey the rulings of the courts. I am confident that these institutions, once allowed to function without interference, will provide a solution to the present situation,” he told the nation.

President Granger, who led the APNU+AFC Coalition into the elections as the Presidential Candidate, said all and sundry must demonstrate respect for the elections commission as it executes its function, and desist from attacking Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, the Chair of GECOM, and the other arms of the elections commission. “The elections commission has the sole authority for the conduct of general and regional elections and must be allowed to function independent of political interference, instruction and influence,” President Granger said.
In the interest of transparency and accountability, the Head of State had endorsed moves by the Chairperson of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Mia Amor Mottley, to assist Guyana by sending a high-level delegation to oversee the recount of ballots cast at the elections, but this initiative has been temporarily blocked in the High Court.
“I am disappointed that the high-level team of five departed Guyana this week after efforts towards a ‘total national recount’ were stymied following the granting of an injunction by the Supreme Court. This matter remains before the court,” he said, while noting that the country’s democracy allows for interested parties to approach the Supreme Court of Judicature for judicial review of the electoral laws.

The Head of State has maintained that the electoral process must be credible. “Free and fair elections are essential to representative democracy,” he told the nation.

Even as the nation awaits the decision of the High Court but more importantly the decision of GECOM, President Granger is calling on Guyanese to allow peace to prevail. “I urge all Guyanese, therefore, to respect each other as we work together to build a cohesive nation. Violence in any form, at any time and in any place, particularly against innocent school children, must be condemned strongly. The violent attacks on innocent children and law enforcement officers in the Mahaica-Berbice Region (Region Five) were hateful acts of hostility. I urge all citizens to be calm and patient as we await the ruling of the Supreme Court and the final declaration of results by the elections commission,” the Head of State told the nation.

While the March 2 Election was smoothly executed by GECOM, the electoral process was brought into disrepute during the tabulation of the votes in Region Four. To date, the returning officer for that electoral district, Clairmont Mingo, has made two declarations – the first one was invalidated by the High Court due to a breach of the Representation of the People Act. On Friday (March 20), another application was filed in the High Court to set aside the second declaration of votes by Mingo – that case is currently before High Court Judge, Franklin Holder.

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_e-paper_3-21-2020

…blocked from joining recount case

REEAZ Holladar or Reeaz Mohamed, the driver of attorney and PPP executive, Anil Nandlall, was denied an application to join the case calling for the discharge of an injunction blocking the recount of the ballots cast at the March 2, 2020 elections.

Holladar had also featured in an earlier application before Chief Justice, Roxane George-Wiltshire, which sought to block the declaration of the Region Four results. He was represented by a battery of lawyers, including the high-priced senior counsel of Trinidad and Tobago, Douglas Mendez. Questions have been raised as to how Holladar, a simple driver, was able to fund the legal fees for the battery of lawyers.

Holladar had said in his affidavit that he is a registered voter in District Four and cast his ballot at the Redeemer Primary School, located on Pike Street and Stone Avenue, Georgetown.

The opposition PPP has a history of using dubious characters to file cases in the court. Cedric Richardson quickly comes to mind. He was the man who had filed the motion challenging the presidential term limit, but has never been seen. During the time of the case at the Caribbean Court of Justice, the Attorney General Chambers had tried to serve him a copy of the Notice of Application and Affidavit in Support of Application for leave to appeal to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in the said matter.

In a statement then the AG chambers, Office Assistant, Shaun Mearns, said he visited Richardson’s known place of abode located at Lot 4 West Ruimveldt on March 17, but was told by a female that Richardson does not reside there. According to Mearns, the female also denied knowing of Richardson ever living at the address. “I return to the said premises on the 20th day of March, 2017 between the hours of the 4 and 4:30 hours and no one answered. On the 21st day of March, 2017 I returned to the said address between the hours of 4:30 and 5:00 hours and again no one answered,” said the office assistant who then reported his findings to the chambers.

Richardson, just before the May 2015 General and Regional Elections, sought to challenge the amendments made to Article 90 of the Constitution that were enacted in 2000 following a bipartisan Constitutional Reform Process. Justice Chang ruled, among other things, that the presidential term limit was unconstitutional without the approval of the people through a referendum.

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_e-paper_3-21-2020

Dear editor,

I READ a very concerning open letter published in the print media, authored by Joe Singh, Major-General (Retired), suggesting that President Granger should call off the ‘Dogs of War’.

First and foremost, I have never personally met or spoken to Joe Singh. My opinion of him is based on what I would have read in the print and digital media. Having said that, I was taken aback by his statement that he has never voted, despite the fact that he would have been eligible to vote for at least 10 election cycles. The argument he puts forward is bordering on the ridiculous, and is clearly a failed attempt at putting himself forward as being apolitical.

Personally, I do not believe that hogwash emanating from the retired Major-General, and he would have been better served by keeping such foolish comments to himself.  While I do not know Joe Singh personally, I do know his late brother, Dr. Benjie Singh, a vicious ‘Dog of War’ that he should have controlled. When Dr. Benjie Singh died last year, I wrote a letter to the media, outlining my not-so-nice experiences with him. Generally, I do believe that one should not speak ill of the dead, but when the Indian Arrival Committee chose to have a revisionist approach to history by characterising both Dr. Benjie Singh and Ronald Gajraj as great Indo-Guyanese, which was clearly not the case, I had to provide balance to their statement.

The fact is that Dr. Benjie Singh was a part of the PPP’s ‘Dogs of War’ machinery. When innocent Afro-Guyanese were murdered by the ‘Black Clothes’ and the ‘Phantom Squad’, Dr. Benjie Singh and the PPP-aligned GPHC hierarchy would present themselves in A&E in celebratory mode over the bullet- riddled bodies of the innocent dead Afro-Guyanese men. The murderers were conferred with “OE” national awards in the A&E. I took my oath of “First do not harm” and “respect my patients” very seriously. What I witnessed, as a doctor just out of medical school, I have written about on many occasions, and this can be easily corroborated. So no one can accuse me of confabulation.

I would assume that since the retired Major- General has not commented on other relevant recent events, that his Internet is a tad slow. As a result, the terrorist incidents inside GECOM have not yet arrived in his inbox. These unsightly terrorist events include staff being verbally and physically assaulted, and the Chairwoman, Justice Claudette Singh’s office door being kicked in. When the unbiased Major-General does receive these images, I would be grateful if he can identify the owner of these vicious Pit Bull-type ‘Dogs of War’ and pen them a severe reprimand in the media. Also, I guess the retired Major-General has not received the images of the terrorist attack at Lusignan, where schoolchildren were attacked and hospitalised with broken bones; police were attacked, and they too hospitalised with broken bones; school buses were attacked; private cars set on fire; cane fields and properties burnt; innocent civilians threatened by a gentleman with a gun; roads blocked with logs, and tyres set ablaze. Mr. Joe Singh, I will render you some assistance. The owner of those vicious Pit Bull-type ‘Dogs of War’ is Bharrat Jagdeo, whose pre and post-election utterances triggered them. Would you be penning him a reprimand in the print media to muzzle his vicious Pit Bull-type ‘Dogs of War’? Better yet, can you muzzle him?

What Guyanese are witnessing had transpired in 1997, albeit many have developed selective amnesia. The only difference is that the Presidential Candidate for PPP, Mrs. Janet Jagan, said, ‘To hell with the laws of Guyana’, and threw the court document over her shoulder, after being egged on by the then GECOM Chairman, Doodnath Singh. The elections were then rightfully but belatedly vitiated by Justice Claudette Singh. Joe Singh, what Mrs. Janet Jagan did when she threw the court documents over her shoulder and had PPP bouncers assault the court officials as they attempted to serve the court order to stop her swearing in, was that unconstitutional? If it was, why were you silent? Why you allowed these vicious Pit Bull-type ‘Dogs of War’ to have their way?

Let’s examine the political and crime situation in Guyana in the early 2000s, which I briefly alluded to. There was definitely a ‘Phantom Squad’ murdering mostly innocent Afro-Guyanese. As a matter of fact, hundreds of them were murdered by these vicious Pit Bull-type ‘Dogs of War’. Why were you silent Joe Singh? A sitting Minister, Satyadeo Sawh and others were gunned down in his house by vicious Pit Bull-type ‘Dogs of War’. This was a period where over 50 policemen were murdered; where police were forced to place massive padlocks on the gates of their police stations, and the streets were a veritable ghost town. Why was the Retired Major- General silent while these vicious Pit Bull- type ‘Dogs of War’ roamed the streets? What about the Bacchus brothers who were visited by the ‘Angels of Death’ in the form of vicious Pit Bull-type ‘Dogs of War’ when they revealed the existence of the ‘Phantom Squads’? Any comments Major-General Singh? I am quite sure Joe Singh would concur that discrimination, victimisation, marginalisation, et al are not consistent with the Constitution. All Pit Bull-type ‘Dogs of War’ were unleashed by the PPP, and yet again, the Major-General is silent. WHY?

You see, Joe Singh is yet another “victim” who is struggling with the “psychological trauma” of being part of a group that the President deemed “not fit and proper”. It is this label and tribalism that motivated this poorly-timed missive, when this political and legal process is working towards a resolution. Don’t tell me nonsense about sanctions and comments by the ABCE countries! They were also silent when Guyana went through worse, but now barrels are overflowing with oil, they are aware of the fact that Guyana is much more than Jim Jones. This tribal approach to issues in Guyana, where one group is always labelled bad, would forever result in conflict. These tribal allegiances would result in silence when their fellow Guyanese are being mauled by vicious Pit Bull-type ‘Dogs of War’ that look like them, but come out breathing fire when the tables are turned, would have only one consequence. TRIBALISM BY ALL. Unless we see each other as Guyanese; each other as brothers and sisters, then Guyana as a country would be reduced to a Land of Six rather than one people. In my opinion, justice should be blind and rightfully so.  If we as a people see an injustice against a Guyanese but keep silent because the victim does not look like us, then as a people we are feeding our own ‘Dogs of War’. Sadly, folks like Christopher Ram, Seelall Persaud and Joe Singh are telling us to euthanise our Chihuahua-type ‘Dog of War’, while they are secretly feeding blood to their Pit Bulls.

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_e-paper_3-21-2020

…small parties, PPP added to case challenging the interim order

BHARRAT Jagdeo, leader of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) List of Candidates, and three other political parties, will now have the opportunity to submit arguments in response to the Fixed Date Application (FDA) filed by Ulita Grace Moore, which, in effect, seeks to bar the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) from facilitating a national recount on the grounds that it is unconstitutional and in breach of the Representation of the People Act.

Jagdeo and the three political parties – A New and United Guyana (ANUG), the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) and The New Movement (TNM) – were joined to the substantive matter on Friday, after their applications to be heard in the case, were approved by High Court Judge, Franklin Holder.

However, an application by Reeaz Holladar, Anil Nandlall’s personal driver, who on behalf of the PPP/C had earlier this month asked the High Court to invalidate the March 5 declaration by the Region Four Returning Officer, was not approved, and as such he would not be a party to this case brought against GECOM; it’s Chair, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh and the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield by Moore.

Moore is being represented by Grenadian Queen’s Counsel, Dr. Francis Alexis; Attorneys-at-Law John Jeremie S.C., Keith Scotland out of Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyanese Lawyers Mayo Robertson and Roger Yearwood. Jagdeo is being represented by Trinidad’s Senior Counsel, Douglas Mendes, and Attorney-at-Law, Anil Nandlall, while the Chief Elections Officer is being represented by Senior Counsel, Neil Boston, and GECOM Chair, the former Solicitor General, Kim Kyte-Thomas. On Friday, the overseas-based lawyers appeared via SKYPE.

On the corridor of the High Court, Senior Counsel Boston told the Guyana Chronicle that while Holladar’s application, to be a party in the case brought by Moore, was refused by the High Court Judge, another application was filed seeking to set aside the second declaration made by the Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, on Friday, March 13, 2020.

“Bharrat Jagdeo and [Reeaz] Holladar filed another judicial review application seeking to set aside the second declaration made by [Clairmont] Mingo on the night of March 13. An application was made by Bharrat and Holladar’s lawyers to have their applications be heard together with Moore’s application,” Senior Counsel Boston explained.

He disclosed on Monday, March 23, 2020, the attorneys in the matter will put forward arguments on whether or not Jagdeo and Holladar’s application should be heard simultaneously with Moore’s application.

Meanwhile, Nandlall told journalists that in the Ulita Moore case, Jagdeo, through his lawyers, will be required to submit an Affidavit in Defence by Monday, March 23. Moore’s attorneys have until Wednesday, March 25 to submit their replies.

“We are going to come back here at 13:00hrs to hear an application to consolidate the Ulita Moore matter with the Jagdeo and Holladar matter…The consolidation of the two cases brings before the court all the contentious issues – all leading to a recount of the ballots cast and then a declaration of the accurate results,” he further added.

Last week, President David Granger and Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, following an intervention by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), had agreed that a national recount was necessary but by Tuesday, March 17, Moore secured an interim injunction blocking GECOM from facilitating the national recount of all the votes cast at the March 2 General and Regional Elections.

Moore secured a total of four interim orders, which will, in effect, bring the electoral process to a halt until the judicial review is completed. Chief among the orders granted by the High Court is an interim injunction restraining the Elections Commission from setting aside, varying or substituting the declarations of the returning officers of the 10 Electoral Districts with any other document until the hearing and determination of the judicial review application. The interim injunction has also tied the hands of the Chief Elections Officer.

“An Interim Injunction is hereby granted restraining the Chief Elections Officer from submitting any report of the total votes cast for each List of Candidates pursuant to Section 96 (1) and (2) of the Representation of the People Act, save and except the votes counted and the information furnished by the returning officer under Section 84 (1) of the Representation of the People Act until the hearing and determination of the judicial review application…” Justice Holder said as he granted the second order.

GECOM is also barred from authorising any agreement with the President of Guyana and the leader of the opposition and or itself with CARICOM, until a final determination is made by the High Court. The GECOM Chair and Chief Elections Officer is also being restrained, temporarily, from authorising any person or persons to facilitate a recount of the ballots cast in the elections on March 2, 2020.

In the FDA, Moore is seeking a total of 25 declarations from the High Court. In effect, the declarations, if granted, would set aside any decision of the Elections Commission to facilitate a recount, thereby paving the way for the Chief Elections Officer to submit his report to the Elections Commission for a final declaration of the results of the March 2 General and Regional Elections. Once this is done, GECOM will inform the Chancellor of the Judiciary and the President will be sworn in.

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_e-paper_3-21-2020

Dear Editor,
FOR democracy to stand, GECOM cannot lose the battle for truth. Following media coverage on GECOM throughout the election cycle, but more particularly at this period of post-voting controversy, the public, domestic, regional and international, will benefit greatly from information emanating directly from the Commission. This is given that GECOM has the constitutional mandate of responsibility for many of these processes, which are under review by your external public.

As a workers’ representative, and being personally concerned about the accuracy of non-GECOM information and its impact on the public about matters that GECOM has first-hand information of, I am calling on GECOM to provide this nation with a daily, or otherwise determined, convenient schedule of updates. Where necessary, corrections of every bit of information that is placed in the public domain and can affect public confidence in the process should be addressed, via all available media. Of note, GECOM’s Facebook account that can be an accessible source of information, was addressed on the 2nd, 3rd and 17th only in the month of March, when so many contentious issues have occurred.
GECOM does itself no good by remaining silent and being drowned in a tsunami of information put forward by sources that may not have a vested interest in supporting GECOM’s independence and ability to perform its constitutional duty without interference.

In the 20th March, 2020 edition of the Stabroek News, it is insinuated in an article captioned, “Six parties call for vote recount, urge protection of ballot boxes”, that the ballot boxes, particularly those of Region 4, are at risk of being compromised. In another article recently, State police guarding the boxes also surfaced as an issue of mistrust. These are just an example of the many areas of information that requires clarification, for they serve to undermine public trust and the credibility of this constitutional office.

GECOM is reminded that as often as information that threatens its public image, independence and credibility is made public, an immediate response becomes absolutely necessary, if its public image and ability to perform its constitutional duty without external interference is to be upheld.

GECOM must take responsibility for disseminating information that will contribute to creating a post-electoral communication environment driven by valid and credible facts.  If democracy is to stand, GECOM cannot afford to lose this battle to destroy its truth with information influencing public opinion against it.

Regards,
Lincoln Lewis

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_e-paper_3-21-2020

GUYANA’S ability to manage her own affairs has been tested lately. Our institutions have been criticized, and our politicians and leaders have been cautioned by local stakeholders and the wider international community. In the midst of all of this, Guyanese have been seeking a conclusion to the March 2, 2020 Regional and General Elections.

Whilst most Guyanese, at home and in the diaspora, are anxious for the conclusion of these controversial elections, and for the restoration of normalcy in Guyana, there are those who do not believe that Guyanese are equipped to deal with our own problems.

This group of Guyanese would prefer the outside intervention of the international community, as they have been deemed by this group as more equipped to resolve Guyana’s current elections impasse. The presence of the ABCEU nations, along with other international organisations which were invited to observe our elections, has created some confusion amongst certain sections of the populace who seem to believe that these groups and their representatives have more right and power than they actually possess. That being said, the international community does play a role in some of Guyana’s affairs. Being a sovereign democratic nation, Guyana has certain obligations, and is party to numerous multilateral agreements with many of the ABCEU nations. The benefits to be derived from these partnerships and agreements are numerous, and have contributed to the development of Guyana’s economy and overall development, to an extent.

Where Guyana has garnered special attention from the international community, it has largely been in relation to our newly-acquired status as an oil- producing nation. The importance of these elections, therefore, cannot be underestimated within this context. History would indicate that where there is oil, there is usually corruption. The oil curse is no mere urban legend; it is a very real prospect for any nation with traditionally weak governance and low levels of development. Guyana is no different from many of the less developed nations that have discovered oil.

The saviours from the ABCEU nations need good puppets and comrades who would sacrifice the wealth of their nations for the benefit of themselves and of a small, well- connected oligarchy; this to the obvious detriment of the rightful beneficiaries, the Guyanese people.
Democracy and human rights are the buzzwords often used to justify the ABCEU intervention into our internal affairs, however, their true intentions are usually much more aligned with economic interests and resource-control strategies. Guyanese who might want this outside intervention, under the pretext of upholding democracy and the rule of law, would be wise to examine the ABCEU nations’ relationships with some of our non-western allies. Guyana has enough oil reserves to put us right on par with the highest oil-producing nations; enough to make us capable of influencing global oil prices. If we are not aligned with the goals of the ABCEU nations, then the oil curse becomes a very real prospect, as history would dictate. Nonetheless, we must stand on our sovereignty, and not allow the forces that seek to separate and marginalise our collective goals to achieve their aim of subverting our collective will as a people.

Education is the key differentiator between those who seek to find a saviour to intervene in Guyana’s internal affairs and those who recognise that we must save ourselves. Our laws, institutions and people are enough to guide us out of this elections impasse, and indeed further into our future development. Guyana was only earlier this year made Chair of the G77 and China Group of Nations, and was at that time deemed capable of leading these nations forward. We all celebrated this accomplishment; let us not lose sight of our potential, and let us remain steadfast in our support of our Constitution, institutions and, most importantly, ourselves.

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_e-paper_3-21-2020

THE center also acknowledged the “chaotic” environment of the Office of the Region’s Returning Officer (RO) during the tabulation, noting that efforts were made by “the large number of persons present and the efforts by PPP/C representatives and others to disrupt the declaration of results”.
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The Carter Center is the second Elections Observer Mission (EOM) to have departed Guyana even as it has assured that it remains committed to observing and supporting Constitutional reform of the electoral process here in Guyana.

The center announced on Friday that its decision was made in light of the absence of an ongoing electoral process, increasing restrictions on international travel because of COVID-19 and the decline in the security environment in Guyana. The team left early on Friday referring to the decision as a “difficult” one and gave all assurances that its future assistance is still available. “In light of the current injunction and subsequent legal process, there is not currently electoral activity for The Carter Center to observe.

The security environment in Georgetown has declined in the wake of the impasse created by the non-transparent tabulation process in Region Four. International observers have been harassed, and protestors supportive of the APNU+AFC Coalition have, at times, blocked international observers from doing their work. Specific threats have also been made against the international community that are unacceptable and further undermine the credibility of the electoral process,” the center stated.

“The center remains committed to promoting democracy and constitutional reform in Guyana and is willing to return when the electoral process resumes, assuming international travel is feasible.” Guyana closed its ports to all international flights at midnight on March 18, 2020 with the exception of outgoing flights; cargo flights; Medevac flight; technical stops by airplanes for fuel and special authorised flights.

Meanwhile, the interim injunction preventing a recount and other legal advice against the gazetting of an Order by the Elections Commission for the said recount resulted in the CARICOM high-level team pulling out from the process in Guyana earlier this week.

On this matter, the Carter Center stated: “The center hopes that conditions will be in place for CARICOM to return to Guyana to supervise a national recount. The Carter Center noted the Guyana Election Commission’s (GECOM’s) willingness to support the recount under CARICOM’s supervision and appreciated the measures taken to make that happen. Both the president and the leader of the opposition agreed to the recount process, and GECOM was satisfied with its legality. The center hopes that that any remaining legal issues hindering the recount can be addressed quickly to avoid further delaying a satisfactory resolution to the electoral process.”

It lamented that Guyana’s electoral process began well with polls on March 2 but was marred with the tabulation of Region Four’s results which would be the ultimate determination for which party won the elections. The center also acknowledged the “chaotic” environment of the Office of the Region’s Returning Officer (RO) during the tabulation, noting that efforts were made by “the large number of persons present and the efforts by PPP/C representatives and others to disrupt the declaration of results”.

Based on subsequent actions taken by the region’s RO during a recount of the Region’s Statements of Polls (SOPs) – which was believed to be in none compliance with expectations set by Guyana’s chief justice – the Carter Center and other international election observation groups have denounced these results as “not credible”. Post elections, the Center has recommended that Guyana’s ‘winner-takes-all system’ be reformed and that all parties commit to national reconciliation and to completing key constitutional reforms in the near future.

“The Center hopes that the electoral process can still be concluded with credible results and that the will of the Guyanese people – as expressed at the polls on March 2 – will be carried out,” it stated. “The Carter Center is thankful to the government for extending an invitation to international election observation organisations and would like to thank GECOM Chairperson, Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh for her welcome and openness. She has, thus far, shown great personal commitment to achieving a credible election process. The Carter Center remains committed to its mandate to observe the entirety of the electoral process and remains on standby to return to Guyana.” Over 40 observers, representing 15 countries, had travelled to Guyana to observe the electoral process. The delegation was co-led by Aminata Touré, former Prime Minister of Senegal; and Jason J. Carter, Chairperson of The Carter Center’s Board of Trustees.

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_e-paper_3-21-2020

—- says focus should be shifted to COVID-19

THE Caribbean Bishops Conference has urged political leaders in Guyana to pool efforts to ensure that the current elections impasse is resolved so that greater focus can be shifted to dealing with the severe threat of COVID-19.

The Conference is made up of nineteen Roman Catholic Bishops of the English, Dutch and French territories. In a press release on Friday, the Conference appealed to those responsible for the verification process of the ballots cast on March 2, to “bring it to an early completion” the matters at hand.

“The people of Guyana, as other peoples of the Caribbean, are facing the global pandemic of the COVID-19. This needs urgent attention and we earnestly appeal to those responsible for the verification process of the polls of March 2, 2020 to bring it to an early completion in order that a functioning National Assembly can see to the people of Guyana [who are] now under severe threat of COVID-19,” the Conference stated.

“As Catholic Bishops of the Caribbean, we urge the people of Guyana not to allow the flame of hope and resilience to be extinguished. We believe that God has empowered and inspired you throughout your political history to overcome many political and social challenges – challenges that have “tested you like gold in the furnace” (Wisdom 3:6) to shine brightly in the Caribbean.”

The leaders stated that they were heartened by the persistent efforts of the leaders of CARICOM to facilitate a resolution of this issue by organising a delegation to supervise the re-counting of the ballots of the general and regional elections.
However, they noted that this feeling of hope was hindered when the interim injunction was granted by the High Court to halt the recount.

They quoted the words of Guyana’s own Bishop, Francis Alleyne, in his response to an enquiry from the Bishops of the Region, who said that he is “saddened by the present impasse and judges that delay in completing the electoral process is a great disrespect to the people of Guyana.”

The Conference of religious leaders reminded that the Caribbean has a general history of fair and honest elections which have produced respected political leaders and this status must be preserved to ensure development in the Region.

They agreed with the sentiments shared by former Guyanese Foreign Affairs Minister and Commonwealth Secretary-General, Sir Shridath Ramphal who said that Guyana is being deprived of regional and international approval and global respect at a time when it matters most.

The Conference stated: “Therefore, we encourage them to persevere in their commitment to facilitate a peaceful resolution…we invite all our Caribbean brothers and sisters to unite in prayer as we accompany the people of Guyana through these challenging times. May God bless the People of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.”

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_e-paper_3-21-2020