Members of the media are being called upon to be mindful when they are reporting and not “sensationalise” their stories as the tabulation of votes that were cast at the General and Regional Elections begins.

The call came from the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Retired Justice Claudette Singh during a press conference, to provide an update to the nation on Monday.

The GECOM Chairman cautioned that given the current mood of the country, new outlets must at all times, be responsible in their reporting. “At this time, we are in a charged atmosphere and so we have to be careful how we go about spreading stories,” Justice Singh stated.

She advised that doubling checking information before issuing is crucial to avoid any unnecessary tension. “We must always verify before we publish them… these things can escalate into mistrust, so let us avoid those things.” Nonetheless, the Chairman said that she was pleased with how the the electoral process took place. “I visited several polling stations, of course, they were long lines but GECOM staff came forward and assisted,” Justice Singh pointed out. Overall, the process was peaceful with a few insignificant occurrences, according to the Chairman. The elections catered for over 660,000 eligible voters countrywide at the 2339 polling stations that were provided, manned by 13,500 polling day staff. Results for the elections are expected to be available at the earliest possible time.

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_e_paper_03_04_2020

…GECOM chair hails polls a major success
…urges citizens to be patient as results are being processed

By Svetlana Marshall
GUYANA’S General and Regional Elections were free, fair and a major success, Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh declared on Tuesday, even as she called on Guyanese to demonstrate patience as the Elections Secretariat tabulates the votes for a preliminary or final declaration of the results.
“GECOM has delivered free, fair and credible elections,” Justice Singh said.

She was at the time addressing local and international journalists at the Commission’s Command Centre in the presence of the observers and members of the Diplomatic Corps.
She said that GECOM, despite facing a plethora of challenges in the lead

up to Monday, March 2, smoothly executed the General and Regional Elections across the country’s 10 Administrative Regions. According to her, the elections were well run.

“We had a very well-run election, despite all of the naysayers,” the GECOM chair said. The Elections Commission, she said, is appreciative of the extensive work done by the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield and his team at the GECOM Secretariat. “On behalf of the Commission, I have to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to our CEO and his hardworking secretariat. They did a fantastic job,” the GECOM Chair said.

But while the elections were executed with minor hitches, GECOM has been extremely slow in delivering the results, much to the dissatisfaction of the masses. Cognizant of this fact, Justice Singh has called on the nation to have patience.

“I will ask you to be very patient; the results are trickling in, and the process of verification is being conducted,” she said. international Observers, in particular the Organisation of American States (OAS), the European Union (EU), the Carter Center and the Commonwealth, in their engagements with the press on E-Day, lauded the Elections Commission for conducting an almost seamless election.

WELL-ORGANISED

Hours after Justice Singh and the Chief Elections Officer addressed the press, the OAS Observer Mission, led by former Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding, commended the Elections Commission, while offering a menu of recommendations.

Golding, while addressing the press at the Guyana Marriott, said that based on the 344 polling stations the team would have visited, arrangements and processes on Election Day were well-organised, and mirrored those of the Disciplined Services vote.

“The Mission commends the electoral authorities, including the poll worker, party agents, supervisory personnel and security agents who facilitated the conduct of the voting process on both days, but notes that in the absence of a preliminary results system, the outcome of the poll could not be known by the general public on Election Day, or on the morning thereafter,” Golding said.

While underscoring the importance of GECOM delivering early results, he, too, called on Guyanese to remain patient. Nonetheless, he acknowledged the work put in by the Elections Commission and the other players in the electoral process to facilitate the successful holding of the elections.

The Mission was present in four of the country’s 10 administrative regions, with a total of 344 polling stations visited from more than 2,300 countrywide.

“Members of the Mission reported that the polling stations they observed opened on time, were fully staffed, and had the necessary electoral materials. In general, the premises housing polling stations provided sufficient space for the safe and secret conduct of the poll,” the Chief of Mission said.

However, it was observed that in some cases, polling stations were located on the upper floors of polling places, although there were alternative spaces on the lower floors. Such situations created difficulties for the elderly and persons with disabilities.

“Visits to the polling stations established shortly before Election Day suggested that voters were not unduly affected; the new polling stations were active, and GECOM’s information officers were present to guide those persons requiring assistance,” the OAS Chief of Minister observed.

It was noted, too, that while there were long lines at polling stations during the first three to four hours, by midday, the lines were significantly reduced. Golding said the Mission was also pleased to note the presence of local observer groups. Some of those groups included the Guyana Public Service Union, AMCHAM Guyana, the Private Sector Commission, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the US Embassy, the Canadian High Commission and the British High Commission.

‘A FEW ANOMALIES AND ABUSES’

President David Granger, on weighing in on the electoral process on Monday, said he was satisfied with the electoral process, despite the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition had noticed a few anomalies and abuses. It was noted that at some polling stations, the six-digit stamps were only stamping four digits. The ‘Coalition’ intends to raise its concerns with GECOM in the not-so-distant future.
People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Prime Ministerial Candidate Brigadier Mark Phillips had lauded the electoral process as well. “The process was smooth this morning; I think the GECOM staff was well-organised, and I hope that it remains like that throughout the day. As you noticed, a lot of people came out very early to vote; I myself had set the example,” Phillips said on E-Day.

GECOM’s preparation for the March 2 General and Regional Elections was a long, arduous one, with many delays and “fallouts” among the Elections Commissioners, drawn from the ruling party (APNU+AFC) and the Opposition (PPP/C).

Monday’s elections were triggered by a No-Confidence Motion, which was successfully moved against the Government by the Opposition. However, while the Motion was moved in December 2018, it was not until June 2019 that there was a definite ruling on its validity. That ruling was handed down by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), months after the High Court (Jan. 2019) had upheld the Motion, and the Court of Appeal (Mar. 2019) had overturned it.

However, on the very day that the CCJ validated the Motion as properly carried in the National Assembly, it also ruled that the appointment of Justice (Ret’d) James Patterson as Chairman of the Elections Commission was unconstitutional, thereby creating a void. There were several disagreements between the President and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on the list of nominees to be considered before consensus was finally arrived at on July 26, 2019.

**But by the time Justice Singh was sworn into office, GECOM had already commenced a process of House-to-House Registration, based on an Order issued by Justice Patterson before he demitted office.

Justice Singh, in mid-August, took a decision to halt the House-to-House Registration exercise, after the High Court ruled that while the process was legitimate, it would have been unconstitutional for the Commission to remove persons from the National Register of Registrants Database if they had not participated in the exercise. Initially, it was the intention of GECOM to create a new database from the House-to-House Registration process. Nonetheless, the decision meant that GECOM had to sync the fresh data with the existing data but not before conducting a cross matching exercise which was done overseas. Commissioners on both sides of the aisle subsequently made several demands, such as additional verification, publication of names in local newspaper and even calls for the removal of thousands of persons who had participated in the House-to-House Exercise. It was not until September 2019 that GECOM indicated to President Granger that it was in a position to facilitate free, fair and credible elections by the end of February 2020.

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_e_paper_03_04_2020

HOURS after the polling stations were closed following the Genaral and Regional Elections, the atmosphere in East Canje and New Amsterdam remained calm and tense as residents await the results.

Cambio dealers reported a decline in the purchase of foreign currency, as persons postponed business transactions until declarations of election results are made.
A businessman, who asked that his name be withheld, recalled that the withholding of foreign currency by citizens is a traditional pattern, which has been a practice for over thirty years.

“Persons are not willing to spend and exchange monies after elections, until the winner is declared and the dust settles,” he said.

Meanwhile, schools were opened for instructional sessions however, there was a reduction in the attendance at the learning institutions in the district.

At some government agencies, staff, particularly those who were employed as polling-day staff by the Guyana Elections Commission, were given a half day, and in some instances a whole day off.

However, at the post offices, pensioners turned up in large groupings to receive their monthly pension. In Region Six, East Berbice Corentyne 99,132 registered voters were expected to cast their ballots at the recently-held elections.

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_e_paper_03_04_2020

…call on parties, citizens to respect results of polls

EVEN as it praised Guyana for the successful and peaceful conduct of General and Regional Elections on Monday, the Diplomatic Community called on Guyanese to respect the results when they are made public by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

“It is important to give GECOM time to complete the tabulation and verification of the results. At the same time, we understand the importance of results being released as quickly as possible. We call on all Guyanese to respect those results,” British High Commissioner, Greg Quinn, and the Ambassador of the United States of America, Sarah-Ann Lynch, said in a joint statement on Tuesday.

In offering its commendation, the Diplomats congratulated the people of Guyana for preserving the country’s democracy through the participation of peaceful elections.
“We commend Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Officials, the Guyana Police Force, and representatives of all political parties for maintaining an orderly process on Election Day,” the Diplomats said.

Even as the country awaits preliminary results for the General and Regional Elections, High Commissioner Quinn and Ambassador Lynch underscored the importance of allowing GECOM to conduct its work.

Meanwhile, on the sideline of a GECOM press conference on Tuesday, at its command center, the US Ambassador told journalists that the electoral process was “smooth.” She said the US Embassy, like the rest of Guyana, looks forward to the final results.

Ambassador Lynch had observed polling in Essequibo, Bartica, New Amsterdam and Georgetown among other locations. “In each case, things were well run and very smooth,” she said while dubbing it an achievement for Guyana. The US Ambassador said it was important for Guyana to maintain the peace and respect the final results.

The European Union (EU) Ambassador, Fernando Ponz Cantó, who was among the diplomats present, also lauded the electoral process. He, however, lobbied for the country to respect the results.

“It is extremely important now that the winner, whoever it is, can form a government as soon as possible, and that loser, whoever it is, accepts the results and that the whole country unites,” Ambassador Cantó said. He said the EU is prepared to work with whichever party forms the government.

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_e_paper_03_04_2020

.. secures over 19,000 of the 22,808 votes

By Vantssa Braithwaitt 

REGION TEN bas, once again, proven to be a strong bast of the All ‘NU+AFC, as the electorate has delivered a landslide victory for the Coalition at tbt March 2nd polls. Unofficial declaration of the results shows that the APNU+AFC secured ap. proximately 19,000 votes out of the 22 808 volts that were cast on elections day. That was approximately 3-000 more votes, compared to the 16,791 that wert woo at the 2015 Regional  and General Elections. The People’s Progressive Party (PPP), man­aged lo pick up about 3000 votes, which was about 250 more votes than were won in 2015. Other small parties that made some in roads in Region Ten, included Change Guyana, the People’s Republic Party sod the United Republic Party, with about 350 votes in total. Total was a 66 per rent voter turnout in Region Ten. In 2015, 19,742 persons voted. 

On Tuesday, the atmo­sphere in Linden remained calm, as the residents await official results from GECOM. However, there is a celebratory mood among residents and regional officials, following the unofficial announcement of the regional victory as  they remain hopeful that the same will be secured for a general victory. Resident of Linden, Shonette Seaforth, said she was very happy that Region Ten, once again, delivered for the coalition and it would allow for the progress to continue in the region. “We have seen a lot of development in the last four years, which Lindeners really appreciate, because, in the past, we were left behind and my biggest fear was going back to those days, so now I am relieved and we are hoping victory  will be delivered for the country , Seaforth said. 

Campaign Manager of the APNU+AFC Larry London, said that the target was to gar­ner 90 per cent of the votes in Region Ten and while this was not done with the 19,000 votes garnered, it is closer, than farther away from the target. He is also happy with the increase in voter turnout and based it on a very aggressive, strong and well-planned-out campaign. Relative to the I 0,000 regis­tered voters that did not vote, London said it is his belief that at least half of those persons were unable to vote because they are either deceased or migrated. All in all, London said,” I am happy, we have seen 16, 000 votes ahead of our strongest rival and that was not easy to do.” 

Included in the 19,000 electors who voted in favour of the coal it ion, L-0ndon believes that many of those are not only first time voters, but converted ones that threw their support behind his party. London also expressed confidence that the electoral process was sincere and credible. Fornier Member of Parliament Jermame Figueira, who also played an integral role in the party’s campaigning in the region, also said that the numbers were close to the set target and believes that the 60 per cent turnout is not an accurate representation of the real existing number of people that are domicile in the region. 

Not satisfied but comfortable 

Their AFC counterpart, Devin Sears said he was feeling more comfortable than satisfied. The team, he said worked very hard at least to receive victory and an increase from 20 IS. “We as a party have made inroads in the PPP strongholds such as we thank Region Ten for its support for this party. I believe that we did well,” Sears said. 

The AFC Regional Party Chairman said the target was for a 90 per cent voter turnout and there were several factors that resulted in that not being realised, and going forward he hoped new strategies would be in place to get residents out to vote. Though, according to Sears, the Coalition made in­roads in some of the PPP strong holds, the PPP still managed to rake in over 3000 votes, which represents an increase of about 250 votes compared to 2015. PPP Regional Can­didate Dexter Harding said that this was achieved because the PPP put in a lot of ground work and held community meetings though residents were hostile to them in some areas. He believed capturing over 3000 votes in an APNU+AFC stronghold is quite an achievement and he was happy about it. “It is fairly well, we are satisfied,” he said. Harding also believes the electoral process in Region Ten was fair and credible. With the votes garnered, PPP is expected to receive about three seals on the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) but will have no representation in Parliament. For the last three elections, PPP had been securing three seats on the RDC. 

Celebration Meanwhile, residents in outlying communities such as ltuni and K wakwani are cele­brating the coalition’s victory for their communities. In ltuni, the Coalition received 233 votes, while the PPP received 48 votes. There was a 84 per 

voter turnout in the community. APNU+AFC Campaign Mamager for the community, Keisha McKane, said she was very happy for victory, since the 233 represents over 60 more votes than what were received in 2015. “All in all I am satisfied with the results , I am proud of my community, I am proud of my residents for coming out, for exercising their franchise, their democratic right. I am overjoyed,” she said. 

In Kwakwani, the APNU+AFC also raked in a landslide victory and the, mood was quilt celebratory, yet calm in the Upper Berbice River community. Young resident Rayston Downer, said that many of the, residents, like him, were very satisfied with the results and there, seemed to be a sense of unity in the community following the announcement. He be­lieved that with the return of the coalition, development in Kwakwani will continue until it reaches its full potential. In Region Ten, there were 125 polling stations and 33 808 residents were registered to vote. The elections ay process was smooth and uneventful.

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_e_paper_03_04_2020

Meanwhile, in reacting to the coalition’s statement, the People’s Progressive Party said it notes the release of a statement from the APNU+AFC Coalition urging Guyanese to remain calm and patient until the official declaration of results from the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections. “The party also believes that Guyanese must remain calm and go about their business in a peaceful manner, as GECOM finalises the official results via its verification process. One worrying paragraph in the coalition’s statement is where it claims that projections are positive for a second term in office,” the PPP statement read. The party said: “We urge Guyanese not to be misled. As is characteristic of the coalition, while appealing for calm, it is attempting to mislead our people. This action should be condemned. The party urges Guyanese to not be misled by the APNU+AFC Coalition on the matter of official election results. The APNU+AFC Coalition leader, David Granger, indicated just on March 2, 2020, GECOM is the only “authority” to officially and formally declare the results of Monday’s polls – yet he has made his own declaration. The party has informed the international Election Observer Missions about this development.” However, later on Tuesday, after Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, in an interview with the Newsroom said that his party had taken an “unassailable lead” in the results of the polls. The coalition has been urging its supporters and citizens in general not to be intimidated and misled. They have also warned against fake news, which has proliferated on social media in recent days.

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_e_paper_03_04_2020

of two ballot boxes in Region 3

ASSISTANT Elec­tions Agent for Re­gion Three (Essequibo 

Islands-West Demerara), .John Adams, says be will be writing the Region’s Returning Officer, Mobanlall Jagdeo for a recount of two ballot boxes from 􀀹Vest Coast Demerara polling stations, follow­ing allegations of Disciplined Ser ices ballots not being counted and another of spoilt bal­lots being counted. s being counted. 

In the case of the uncounted Disciplined Services ballots, Adan1s said that according to reports reaching him, it was at a polling station at Vergenoegen where a Presiding Officer (PO) is alleged to have failed to stamp, intermix and count Disciplined Services ballots that were assigned to her polling station. 

«That PO didn’t know, or didn’t remember, so Shedd not stan1p and intermix the Disciplined services ballot at some polling station at Vergenoegen. So those ballots, they remained in an envelope. I am now learning about this today, so I will ask for that box to be opened tomorrow. So that is another issue I will have on my hand in the morn­ing,” Adams shared on Tuesday evening. 

Up to late Tuesday evening, the region’s returning officer, Mr. Jagdeo, could not be contacted for a comment on the situations. 

In Guyana, the Dis­ciplined Services, which includes ranks of the Guyana Pol ice 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. he 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. 

Adams, who is also a candidate for the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC), said he will also be asking for a recount of another ballot box, follow­ing reports from polling agents at a Parika poll­ing station that the PO assigned a number of spoilt ballots to the Peo­ple’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC). He said he has already written to the RO requesting a recount of that indicated ballot box. 

Spoilt ballot are con­sidered rejected ballots, and are not supposed to be assigned to any political party. “There were about 15 spoilt ballots. Our agent told us that the PO took the ballots the box, and recorded it as for the PPP,” Adams related. Following the declaration of elections results, parties are af­forded a period during which they can request, and must be afforded a recount of particular ballot boxes. 

Adams said he bas also written .Jagdeo requesting a list of the rejected ballots in the Region. 

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_e_paper_03_04_2020

Dear Editor
ON Election Day, Monday, March 2, 2020, operatives of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) allegedly attempted to commit election fraud and violence. This attempt to engender destabilisation was foiled. Moreover, 12 men were arrested in Alberttown, Georgetown, near polling stations at the St. Ambrose Primary School.

In the 1997 elections, PPP agents were accused of changing vote tallies on SOPs. This triggered an international Commission of Inquiry. The 1997 elections results were subsequently vitiated due to constitutional breaches by then Supreme Court Justice Claudette Singh, who now heads the Elections Commission.

The men were caught with guns, ammunition and bulletproof vests, and were travelling in vehicles with fake licence plates. The arms, ammunition and a vehicle were seized by the police. PPP agents accosted, harassed and intimidated voters in some areas. They allegedly followed voters, took their photographs and videotaped their movement to and from polling stations. These are known voter-suppression tactics. The Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID) condemns these illegal acts and calls for a comprehensive, criminal investigation of the PPP’s Election Day activities.

Surveillance video captured the 12 men, whom police detained at different times in the company of senior PPP officials on Monday in the vicinity of polling stations around Georgetown. This development is worrisome and reminiscent of the past. On April 9, 2001, eyewitnesses informed the police that they saw a security officer located at the top floor, rear exit of Freedom House, the PPP’s Robb Street, Georgetown, headquarters, fire into a crowd of protesters, killing 43 year-old Donna McKinnon. No one was charged for McKinnon’s murder.

Meanwhile, Guyanese law enforcement and immigration officials on Monday allegedly detained and deported Brent Kartcher, a 73-year-old Texas oil executive, Libyan Marwan Al-Ayed and Vadim Kyrillov of Austria. The trio arrived in Guyana last Saturday in a private jet. They were taken into custody at the Georgetown Marriott Hotel where several PPP operatives and expatriates have been frequenting for meetings. CGID appeals for calm in the face of obvious incitement of violence and calls on the Guyana Police Force to take swift action against breaches of the peace, security and the law.

Regards
Rickford Burke
Caribbean-Guyana Institute for Democracy (C-GID)

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_e_paper_03_04_2020

…delay declaration of elections results

WHILE the declaration of Statements of Poll (SOPs) from the majority of the Administrative Regions went unhindered, there were some challenges in far-out Regions related to weather and administrative issues which caused delays in timely Elections 2020 results.

Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield told the media on Tuesday morning at a press briefing that the process has been “painfully slow” but the Commission was working to have the elections results declared in the “soonest possible time”.

For results to be declared, Presiding Officers (POs) at various polling places must conduct a verification process whereby votes are counted, compared and the total verified with Polling Agents and Counting Agents. This is followed by the declaration of the results by the PO and the posting of SOPs outside of the polling stations for all to see. A package of these same results is then delivered to the Deputy Returning Officer (DRO), for transmission to the Returning Officers (ROs) and CEO.

When the CEO receives these SOPs, he verifies the information and adds it to the tabulation of votes in each Region. As of noon on Tuesday, Lowenfield said that challenges at the verification level prevented his timely receipt of a large number of SOPs. “In some instances, we started and particularly the Counting Agents of some parties were not armed with their own statements from their parties. So, we’ve had some delays and we will continue today to bring closure to the entire exercise that will allow for a declaration of the results in all of the districts today,” he said. “Once that declaration is made, it affords parties the opportunity to have an examination of those declarations that will facilitate their need–if be — for recounts to be done.”

HIGHLIGHED CHALLENGES

In Region One (Barima – Waini) where there are 99 polling stations and 18,952 electors, this process started in the town of Mabaruma on Monday evening and the statements for sub-region one could not be transported due to weather conditions. “We did not trust the low water in the river in the Waini, so those statements from the beach and so on, we’re utilising the medium of an aircraft to take those statements to the Returning Officers office and for sub-region three…that is completed today.”

In Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) where there are 99 polling stations and 18,952 electors; Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) where there are 135 polling stations and 37,979 electors, this process was completed. Lowenfield said then that approximately 93 per cent of the SOPs for Region Three were received.

There are 879 polling stations and 285,618 electors in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica). While it was planned that the process would commence around 22:00hrs on Monday, “administrative issues” saw this commencement at 02:00hrs on Tuesday. There were about 400 SOPs outstanding in the Region at the time, primarily from all of the East Bank of Demerara (ECD) and part of the East Coast of Demerara.

The process was completed in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) where there are 158 polling stations and 44,663 electors. In Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), where there are 378 polling stations and 99,131 electors, the verification process was completed as of Tuesday morning. However, it was difficult for the Region’s RO to receive SOPs from Cashew Island, Canje Creek and some parts of the Corentyne River. “The night [Monday night] was pretty slothful as far as receipts,” he said.

Lowenfield reported, as of noon on March 3, that the process in Region 7 (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) — only home to 82 polling stations and 14,887 electors — was started but not completed.
“I have received for Bartica Propper and for the riverine areas surrounding Bartica,” he said. “For the other part of Region 7, we have dispatched this morning a helicopter and in sub-region two, we have an aircraft that would have been moving from community to community to ensure the statements from the communities they’re transported to the office of the Returning Officer.”

The commission could, therefore, provide no preliminary results on the same at the mid-day press briefing. The CEO had also reported “treacherous” weather in Region 8 (Potaro-Siparuni) where there are 55 polling stations and 7,431 electors. However, a total of 34 SOPs were received from the town of Mahdia and its immediate environs.

“Today, we’re in the process – and as I indicated, the inclement weather there — so that we can tackle the North Pakaraimas to ensure that all the statements from that Region is collected,” he said. “We are hopeful that at the end of the day that we conclude the receipts of our statements from the North Pakaraimas.”

Over in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), there are 73 polling stations and 17,771 electors. An aircraft there has been under the command of the RO for the Region and it remains there to transport the SOPs. “Today, we are receiving in Region Nine. We have already departed to Gunns to ensure the statements from that village is collected. We’re in the move to ensure that the aircraft movement facilitates speed in the delivery of Statements of Polls. At the time of the press conference, the verification process was complete in Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

THE EFFORT TAKES TIME
“We’re in the process of bringing closure to the receipts of all these statements from all across Guyana, particularly in the far-flung areas. Once those statements are received, the ROs will ensure the verification process continues to ensure publicly the results of all of those stations are known to all and sundry and, at its conclusion, those declarations will be made and, no doubt, as the aircraft returns to the city, the statements for yours truly would have been delivered,” the CEO said.

He assured the public that GECOM is working to ensure that all administrative processes are conducted and that all agents from respective parties, observer groups and the media are involved in the verification of the district declarations.

Lowenfield had expected that all the declarations from ROs in the different Regions would be done by the end of Tuesday. Once the declarations are made, the law provides for up to noon on the following day for a period of recounts and once these are completed, if there are any material errors, the ROs are required to adjust and a second declaration made to the CEO. It is a combination of these declared results that form the official results of the 2020 General and Regional Elections.

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_e_paper_03_04_2020

THE APNU+AFC Coalition has strongly condemned what it described as the reckless and irresponsible statement issued by the opposition People’s Progressive Party on Monday evening, claiming that moves are afoot to destroy State records.

“The statement is based on absolute falsehoods and manufactured information, and is clearly designed to excite and incite the public. It is evident that this statement is a manifestation of the throes of desperation that the PPP has found itself in, as the results of Monday’s General and Regional Elections are becoming clearer to those at Freedom House,” the ‘Coalition’ said.

In a release issued on Tuesday afternoon, the PPP called on the Commissioner of Police to take all necessary steps to protect all public buildings which house government offices, including, but not limited to, all Ministries of the Government. “We have received credible information that attempts are being made to remove and destroy important records of the Government of Guyana, and other public documents and moveable assets of the State,” the PPP said in its release, adding: “We expect the Guyana Police Force to discharge its statutory duty in protecting and preserving

official records of the Government of Guyana, and all Government and State properties.”

However, the APNU+AFC Coalition is calling on the public to continue to exercise patience “as we await the official announcement of the results by the Guyana Elections Commission. We also repeat our call for citizens to remain calm, and go about their business in an atmosphere of peace and optimism. The APNU+AFC Coalition is confident that it will be returned to government for a second term to continue the work of building and developing Guyana,” the statement added. According to the ‘Coalition’, the Elections Commission is doing a methodical job, and has started to release the figures of the polls.

“We have every confidence in GECOM in the administration of this election, and our internal figures, which we are comparing with the GECOM-delivered results, show an unmistakable trend towards an APNU+AFC victory,” the ‘Coalition’ said in its statement. “We are aware that some, if not most, of the international observer missions, will be leaving Guyana shortly, and we wish to take this opportunity to thank them and the local

missions for their work in Guyana over the election period. Democracy is alive and well in Guyana,” it added.
In closing, the ‘Coalition’ said, “We wish to commend the Guyana Police Force for the professional job which they have done so far and urge all citizens to be respectful in their interaction with our security forces. As we did earlier today, we commend all Guyanese for their patience, and urge that this continues as we move forward together.”

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_e_paper_03_04_2020