ERIC Ferreira and Shania Thomas were very eager to vote early Monday morning at their respective polling stations.

Ferreira told Guyana Chronicle that he went to the Culvert City Polling Station and put his ‘X’ beside the political party of his choice, early before the place got crowded.

He said the voting process was well organised and hassle-free.
“I feel really good to finally be able to vote and now that is out of the way, I can work for the rest of the day.”

Ferreira, a father of one, said he used to work in the interior but has relocated to Lethem. Meanwhile, Thomas said voting for the very first time was a nice feeling.

“I feel relieved and pleased at the same time,” she said. She voted at the St. Ignatius Secondary School. The process took her a few minutes, and after, she rode off on her motorcycle, towards home, some distance away.

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_epaper_03_03_2020

…taxi drivers show compassion, pool resources to take elderly, disabled out to vote

By Naomi Parris

AMIDST the enthusiastic throng of youths who came out in the wee hours of the morning on Monday, ringing bells, blowing horns, and calling for residents to come out and vote were several older folks, who, having beaten them to the punch, showed up in their numbers to cast their ballots. Maureen Philadelphia made sure she was first in line at her polling station at Belfield, on the upper East Coast. Philadelphia, who is currently Chairman of the Grove/ Nabaclis Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), told the Guyana Chronicle that by all accounts, voting went very smoothly without a hitch. What came as a surprise to her, however, was the youth turnout.

Like Philadelphia, Shirley Hamilton, 58, of Victoria, she was astounded by the number of youths who’d turned out at the various polling stations to vote.

Hamilton said she and the members of her household got up very early to make their way to the polling station. “We woke up since four o’clock this morning to be on the move to come and cast our ballots, and it has been wonderful. Everything is in order, so far, so good,” Hamilton said, adding: “There is a lot of youths; more than the last time. Plenty came out, and it is so good to see that young people really taking up the initiative to do what is right.”

Loreen Mayers, another early-morning voter, told the Guyana Chronicle that voting was simple and smooth. The presiding officers, she said, were very helpful, as they explained the process to her, and she was able to cast her ballot within a short space of time. 

PLEASANTLY SURPRISED
She said that seeing the large turnout of youths made her day, since it was quite pleasing to see young people taking up the mantle from the older folks.
“I had no problem; no issue. Everything was okay,” Mayers said, adding: “While I was coming out, I see a lot of young people finish voting and coming back home. So everything is smooth so far.”

And though Shivraj Jagdeo’s right hand was in a sling, the Cove and John resident made sure that was present at his polling station to cast his ballot. As he told the Guyana Chronicle, “I was not about to let a little injury prevent me from voting.”

Colin Hope, of Victoria Village, stated that while the current voting process is relatively simple, it is high time that it is updated, given the technology that is now available. “The process is the same as always; they got to change the system, so you know when you come to the polling place, you don’t have to check your name,” Hope said. “We must be able to swipe we ID card and mark ‘X’ and gone. You don’t want this body got to call out, and this body got to mark off,” he added. And all Donald Cuffy, a 65-year-old farmer, wanted after ensuring that his vote was counted, was for Guyanese to remain calm and peaceful throughout the entire process. “I want everybody live in unity, work hard, and live long,” he said.

HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY

Meanwhile, the highlight of the day was the team of taxi drivers and vehicle owners from Victoria who came together to take several elderly and disabled persons to and from their polling stations. Said team leader, Anthony Samuels, President of the Victoria Youth Organisation (VYDO), “I am a vehicle owner, so I went around and mobilised a couple of drivers who volunteered to take the elderly to the various polling stations.”

Brian Smith, another vehicle owner from the Belfield, noted that he came out early to vote, so that he could later go around his village and other neighbouring communities to assist a few elderly persons to polling stations. “Well, I realise that it is important that we take the older folks and those who cannot afford transportation to the polling stations. So I offered my vehicle,” Smith said.

Meanwhile, ‘Eldon’, a minibus driver, opted to use his vehicle to transport as many elderly and disabled persons that he could. The young man stated that the initiative was just a little volunteer work to ensure that persons who were not able to move on their own were still given the chance to exercise their democratic right. Additionally, another volunteer who gave his name as ‘Bruce’ related that he knew of a few persons in his community who were only able independently move on their own and opted to take them to and from various polling stations free of charge.

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_epaper_03_03_2020

THE long lines at the 107 polling stations within the East Canje/New Amsterdam districts, have proven that Guyanese have the capacity to be orderly, patient and respectful.
The sounds of horns, shells, bells and alarming voices were heard from as early as 04:30hrs on Monday, alerting voters that E-day had arrived. Hundreds of persons joined the lines at the mainly school buildings as early as 05:00, although the wait was for another hour.

There were no reports of late openings at the places of poll.
Regional Chairman David Armoogan told local reporters, moments after casting his ballot at the Viola Nursery School, that the large turnout was a reflection of the major parties groundwork among the masses.

“The young, middle aged and the elderly have turned out in great numbers. It’s a good sign. People are politically conscious at this time. The major political parties had done a lot of work on the ground to ensure the voters know where to cast their ballots, unlike 2015 and the last held Local Government election when there was some chaos,” he said.

Meanwhile Regional Executive Officer Ms Kim Williams Stephen, who voted around midday at New Amsterdam Primary School, said it was important that her family cast their ballot together in an atmosphere which was peaceful, and tranquil.

Further, she complimented the local staff of the Guyana Elections Commission for their efficiency at the polling stations.

After casting his ballot at the New Amsterdam Secondary School, Deputy Mayor Wainwright Mc Intosh noted, “It’s our democratic right as Guyanese to participate in the voting process, and since local democracy would have been restored, I am overjoyed this morning to be casting my vote,” he said.

At the Tutorial Academy Secondary School, where persons were expected to cast their ballots, the process was smooth and quick.
First time voter Mia Hodge and her mother had joined the lines just after 06:00hrs, and, while the wait did not exceed thirty minutes, it was worth the wait. For Mia, her vote allows her to have a voice in the development of Guyana. Another first timer, Joel Rose, travelled from Georgetown to cast his ballot. Rose is a former resident of New Amsterdam, who is now working in the Capital City.
“I want to see further developments. I want this country to effectively manage the solid waste disposal. I need to see a clean Guyana. The process had started and, it is time for it to continue,” he emphasized.

While there were scores of youthful first timers, there were also scores of overseas-based Guyanese such as Andrew Giddings and Quincy Woolford, who insisted that their ballot would make a difference to return the government to power.
“Returning home came with a cost, but it’s my duty and civil responsibility to the country of my birth’, said Giddings.

That aside, some persons had complained of having their names listed to vote at other polling stations and within districts outside of the township, and were adamant to cast their ballots.

Ms Claudette Allen complained of not receiving the proxy letter which would have allowed her to vote on behalf of her bed-ridden mother, Inez Seepaul. According to her, after returning from overseas in October, she made a proxy vote application, but was recently told by GECOM it was not approved.

“My mother’s name is listed and although she is 85 years she is making a lot of noise. The woman wants to vote,” she said.

In the meanwhile, representatives of the various observer missions were seen entering and leaving the places of poll within the districts.

Among the observers were members of the European Union, OAS, United States Embassy,
Although the voters turned out early in large numbers, the visits to the places of poll during the day was steady.

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_epaper_03_03_2020

GUYANA’S General Elections 2020 saw, like never before, a massive turnout of youths within District 10, who were eager and thrilled to exercise their constitutional right to vote.
At the commencement of voting on Monday morning, a great number of youths were spotted waiting in line at polling stations to vote, with a large portion of them being first-time voters. Michael Brac, a first-time voter, of Christianburg, Wismar, Linden, told Guyana Chronicle that for him, the process of voting was simple and all instructions were straightforward. The 18-year-old noted that he decided to vote because he would like to play a part in the selection of the government that will bring development in Guyana. Eighteen-year-old Carlisa Pitt was also a first time voter and she stated that her experience was thrilling and exciting. Pitt who is a resident of the Wismar Hill community in Linden noted that her decision to vote came from the thought of being a part of change in Guyana. Pitt added, “whether you like it or not people are going to say, ‘whoever deh in the government, I still gotta go out and work’, but we still need the government because at the end of the day the government will have to play a part in minimum wages.” Shania Gordon and Adam Leslicroft, ages 18 and 24 respectively, would have also engaged in Guyana’s General Elections for the first time. Both Gordon and Leslicroft of Wismar Linden and West Watooka, respectively, noted that the voting process was very straightforward and transparent. In addition to the need to vote like a boss, the youths stated that they voted with the hope of Guyana becoming a better place filled with opportunities, especially for the youths. Resident of Coomacka, District 10 and ‘newbie’ to the electoral system, Alliyah Dey, described her voting experience as “very good and smooth.” The 19-year-old added, “It is my right and my choice to vote and I decided to vote because I am voting for my future.”
Meanwhile things were a bit nerve-wrecking for new voter, Rapheal Jones of the Coomacka mines. Jones stated that prior to voting he was nervous; however, that changed as soon as he stepped into the polling station where he was greeted by friendly GECOM staff. The 19-year-old added, “It was important that I come out to vote so I can support the party I like and make sure my future is in the right hands.”
“I was so excited to come out to vote to show my rights because it is my right to vote and to put persons in there who I think is best fit to govern Guyana,” were the words of 19-year-old Olesha Alexander, a hyped first-time elector.

Alexander who is of West Watooka, Wismar, Linden, said that she was very excited to vote and she described her voting experience as “exhilarating.”
She added, “it was very peaceful, I was expecting a quarrel but it was very peaceful and smooth this morning so I am positive that my party will win.”

According to 65-year-old James Rutherford, Monday would have been the first time, in all his years of voting, that he would have seen so many young people turning out to vote. He called the sight satisfying.

At Guyana’s General and Regional Elections 2020, District 10 had a total of 125 Polling stations where a total of 33,808 electors were scheduled to vote.

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_epaper_03_03_2020

…young voters, regional officials were early birds

MANY of those in the long queues at polling stations across Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice), were young people, particularly first-time voters and regional officials. Many first-time voters expressed how excited they were to cast their maiden vote. They did not hesitate to do so early, as the plan was to post photos on social media to motivate others in their demographic to also exercise their franchise. They formed part of a youth movement called, ‘linking up to ink it up’, which has been gathering momentum on social media.

Aritha Thompson, a 18-year-old first-timer, said she was very excited to cast her ballot, and is hoping that other youths do the same throughout the day. She voted at the Linden Foundation Secondary School in Amelia’s Ward. Another youth who set the example early was Phylicia McDonald, who also voted at ‘Linden Foundation’. She described the process as, “excellent, great, smooth and easy.” She believes that a vote is a voice for youths, and encouraged her fellow millennials to do the same. “I encourage them to come out and vote, and let your voice be heard. I believe that this is one way that it can be heard,” McDonald said.

Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Valerie Yearwood also casther ballot very early at the Linden Foundation Secondary School. She and her husband, Godfrey Yearwood, were two of the first five persons to cast their ballots. Yearwood said it was part of a well-thought-out plan. “I planned to be here early,” she said, “and this is a really exciting feeling, when I look at the line and the number of persons waiting… Because, as soon as the gates, or stations were opened, people were literally running to meet to the ten polling stations here and all were filled. This feels really good; this is the scene I wanted to see, and I am satisfied this will be the highest voter turnout in history, relating to Regional and General Elections; it gives me a good feeling,” she added. Joining her at the polling station were several regional and municipal councillors such as Councillor Lawrence Simon.

Over at the Wisburg Secondary School, which is one of the main polling stations in the Block 22/Wisroc constituency, hundreds of persons congregated in long queues, waiting to cast their ballots. Former Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira, who casted his ballot early, stuck around to observe, and assisted other voters. He said he was satisfyingly pleased with the resounding voter turnout not only at Wisburg Secondary, but all polling stations across Region Ten.

AMAZING RESPONSE
“The response out here this morning is amazing; we have never had a response like this in no election since I became politically conscious,” Figueira said, adding: “Since 4am persons were on the road; every single polling station in this community is jam-packed. We are expecting an over 80 to 90% voter turnout in Region Ten.”

Many of the persons he spoke about were youths who were very much hyped about the voting process. Another first-time voter, Tiffany Fraser, said she was a bit nervous, but her parents encouraged her, and she got the job done. “As a first-time voter, I think that other young teenagers out there should come and vote, because it is something very important. You have to exercise your democratic right by choosing the party you wish for, as it determines your future.” If the party of her choice is elected to government, Fraser said, she wants to see more education and job opportunities for young people be made available in Region Ten. Expressing her satisfaction and excitement over the large voter-turnout, was Mayor of Linden, Waneka Arrindell who cast her ballot at the Middle Street Nursery School. She said it feels great not only being at the polling station, but being there early to be the change she wants to see. Arrindell said she is optimistic that if the APNU-AFC Government returns to power, development will continue to be given priority in her township. “APNU-AFC will ensure that development continues, and this is my hope and prayer,” Mayor Arrindell said. “And that is why my car is available, driving through the township, making sure persons get to the polls and get back home,” she added.

Former Member of Parliament Vanessa Kissoon commented on the voter-turnout in Central Mackenzie, saying it is overwhelming to see such a large gathering of both youth and the elderly at the polling stations. She voted at the Regma Primary School, and was on observer mission at the Mackenzie High School, the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground, and the Linden Technical Institute. “I like that the early-bird caught the worm. By God’s Grace, the results will be declared, and the country will continue to move forward,” Kissoon said. “We will accept the victory, and we will move Guyana forward,”she added. Other officials that voted in Linden include Regional Chairman Renis Morian, and former Member of Parliament Audwin Rutherford.

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_epaper_03_03_2020

— many first-time voters happy to cast their ballots

By Gabriella Chapman
THE township of Bartica and its neighbouring communities saw a very quiet and peaceful Election Day.

The residents came out in their numbers and placed their mark for the party of their choice. Guyana Chronicle visited several polling stations accessible by road, and there were no complaints from any of the voters.

In fact, everyone engaged said the voting was a simple and smooth process.

The two major parties had their representatives touting at each polling

station, engaging residents as they come. Transportation and meals were even provided for those persons who had to travel far distances to meet their polling stations.

The regional authorities said they flexed every muscle to ensure that every resident eligible to vote, got the opportunity to do so, regardless of who they supported.

Many of the residents echoed sentiments that, regardless of their political alignment, the people of the township lived as one and they anticipated that peace would prevail among them.

Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall, said the same thing.

“We believe all of Bartica will accept the results of the elections and together we will move forward to develop this beautiful country of ours. The residents of Bartica would have set the tone for the rest of the country in what elections ought to be like and also serves as a representation of how peaceful we are as a people and what we need to be as a country at large,” Marshall said.

VERY ENTHUSIASTIC
He said too that the people were very enthusiastic about voting but there were a few who were disappointed.

“Today is a good day for our democracy and we are very pleased with the enthusiasm from the residents to go to the polls and elect a government of their choice. Unfortunately, there are some persons who were unable to cast their vote for a number of reasons. A lot of them are still in the interior and were unable to travel because the water is extremely low.

We’re going through an extreme dry season and persons are, basically stranded or stuck in some parts of the interior. And also some of our agents had some difficulties getting to some of those polling stations to cast their votes in the Middle and Upper Mazaruni. But with that aside, we have had a peaceful day and we also anticipate early results, let’s say at least within 48 hours after polls,” Marshall said.

At Byderabo, a small community bordering Bartica, the residents said that regardless of who wins, Bartica will remain a beautiful town.

Ramdial who came out with his entire family said that “We vote all time, and each time it has always been a peaceful one for us and our community. I think the entire country should take a page out of Bartica’s book, because regardless of who wins, we all live as one people here.”

Meanwhile, among the many voters in Bartica were many first-time voters and they were happy to cast their ballots.

Reseda Hack, 18, who is currently a sixth form student at Queen’s College, said she travelled home to vote.

FEELS IMPORTANT
She said that she feels important now that she has an actual, tangible say in who runs the country.

When asked about her expectations of the government that follows this election, Hack vehemently, said “Firstly, I expect free tertiary education to be provided to citizens who attain the required qualifications to pursue such. I expect initiatives which seek to promote a green clean Guyana to be continued and new ones to be implemented.

Additionally, I do hope to see the issue of unemployment being tackled in a strategic, all-inclusive manner, meaning that all unemployed citizens regardless of their educational status would be given the opportunity to earn an honest living. Lastly, being of mixed ethnicity, I do hope that the next government promotes the idea of social cohesion, strengthening the bonds between all Guyanese and promoting the concept that is stated in our motto ‘One People, One Nation, One destiny’.”

She Reminded all Guyanese that, despite colour of their skin, their religious persuasion or their political belief, all must work towards one goal — the development of themselves and the country as a whole.

Twin brothers, Kevin and Kevon Stephen, who are 21, said they moved from Bartica when they were in secondary school for access to better schooling. Now that they have completed high school, they returned to their hometown.

However, it is their hope that the government can enhance the schooling in Bartica, so persons would not have to migrate from Bartica to attend a higher school.

The Drepaul siblings, Damien, Simeon and Merisha, from the Potaro Road, who are all now eligible to vote for the first time, said they were not quite enthusiastic about voting. However, with the encouragement of their mother, they decided to come out and play a part in the decision-making of the country.

While many may think first-time voters will only include those who now reached the age eligible to vote, that was not so in the township of Bartica.

There were many aged voters who never voted before in their life.

Celeste Gomes, 48, said that she spent all her adult life in the interior, working to provide for herself and family. During elections she was never able to travel out to vote. With her voting on Monday, she said she feels overjoyed, not only because she has a job in Bartica and does not have to work away from her family, but because she can now have a say in who leads the nation.

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_epaper_03_03_2020

…Corentyne youths

By Nafeeza Yahya

IN what was described as a smooth and quiet day in East Berbice-Corentyne, many young voters turned up in their numbers to help elect their next government with the hope that the many promises made during the campaign will be fulfilled.

The youths were seen queuing from as early as 06:00hrs at the polling stations, while many others, even after they finished voting were seen trying to mobilise their peers to get to the polling stations early. 

At the Kildonan Primary School, the first person to vote at 06:00hrs was 23-year-old Colin Moore. The young man, no stranger to politics having held the position of Chairman for the #28/Bush Lot Adventure NDC District, explained that he wanted to get his vote in early so that he could demonstrate to his peers the importance of voting.

He continued that the entire process was smooth, simple and empowering; as such, he can now go out and explain to his peers what to expect when they go out to vote. “I felt empowered to be a part of history and want my fellow youth to have this same feeling. I now can safely say the whole process took less than two minutes and is very simple. I am going to help ensure all the youths who are registered in my community to come out and do the same as early as possible.”

There were 482 electors on the list at the Kildonan Primary School and by the end of the day over 90 per cent had exercised their franchise. Two first-time voters, Alex Persaud and Omar Tulsie, both 18 and 19 of Moleson Creek were very excited to be part of the process and are hoping that whoever wins, they will be able to deliver to the people on their promises.

“I am very excited as a first-time voter; I am happy my vote can help the party of my choice and I do hope if they win that all the things they promise to do that we can get them.” Usha Cyril ,18, of Ankerville, Port Mourant, was all smiles as she walked out of the polling station at the Berbice Islamic School. She explained that her parents have for the past few months been talking non-stop about the elections and now that she was able to vote for the first time, she finally understands the overwhelming feeling they described.

“I now understand what my parents were talking about; I was so nervous and excited I felt like I was going to make a mistake and spoil my ballot, but I held my nerves and I voted like a boss. I am so happy I can’t stop smiling, I feel like I won something, I can’t really describe how I feel but I know I can’t stop smiling and looking at my finger.”

The young lady like the other younger voters is optimistic that her party of choice will win and all Guyanese will be able to benefit from their policies. The elderly were not to be left behind nor outdone by the youths as they too came out in their numbers to vote. Many came with their spouses and other family members as they took to the polls early. Merle and Patrick Robeiro of Adventure village, 63 and 70 years respectively, came out at the crack of dawn and were done by 06:30hrs. The couple said they have been voting together for the past 42 years and said they will continue to do so as long as life permits.

“We have been doing this together for over 40 years now and we know that whoever we voted for is the best candidate for us. We hope that they win and we as Guyanese will enjoy the benefits of the oil and other resources. We are urging all families to come out and vote together and help elect their leaders.”

Over at Number 48 village, Roshinie Ramjattan, 79, the mother of Minister of Public Security and prime ministerial candidate for the APNU+AFC, Khemraj Ramjattan, said she went early in the morning to cast her ballot along with other family members and came back home to relax. When the Guyana Chronicle visited in the afternoon she was busy interacting with her son who had stopped briefly.

She expressed optimism that the coalition will be returned to power. Meanwhile, the minister expressed satisfaction at the electoral process that he witnessed in Region Six and is confident that the coalition will emerge victorious at the end of the polls.

“I know the support here in Region Six has traditionally been with the PPP, but I can say from what I have seen that the verve with which they had is not seen anymore. I am still confident that we can win by a four-seat majority. The process was smooth, calm and orderly and I am anxiously awaiting the results later in the evening.”

Meanwhile, throughout the day, a number of observers were seen at various polling stations across the region; those who spoke with the Guyana Chronicle commended the voting process in the region.

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_epaper_03_03_2020

TWELVE men were arrested on Monday night by the police after they colluded with an election agent to remove statements of polls from a polling station in Alberttown, Georgetown.

Police Commander Edgar Thomas confirmed the arrest but did not get into details of the allegation of removing statements of polls from the polling station. The men were also found to be in possession of arms and ammunition, while multiple sources have indicated those arrested were licensed to carry firearms, it is unclear if their actions were sanctioned by the Guyana Elections Commission.

Within minutes of the allegation against the men, several residents of Alberttown and other wards converged on the scene and voiced their disapproval. Meanwhile, officials of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), when questioned at a news conference, said they had no knowledge of the incident.

One senior police source indicated that the men have been working closely with the Opposition’s People’s Progressive Party/Civic. In fact, they were seen at several polling stations earlier in the day accompanying a number of senior PPP officials into polling venues. On Monday night, the men were also reportedly moving around the city in vehicles which carried fake number plates, one police source indicated.

They are currently being held at the Criminal Investigation Department where the Police Major Crimes Unit has taken over the investigation.

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_epaper_03_03_2020

– to determine how Guyana must move forward in its elections declaration

Dear Editor,

GUYANA is not an isolated State, but one operating within the confines of a regional and geopolitical frame, with established diplomatic relationships and seeking to demonstrate an abidance for international laws and conventions. As a result, the support and assistance rendered by the international community must be consistent with the Constitution and relevant Laws of Guyana, including the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)’s. This is important in order to arrive at a credible recount, as determined within our legal framework.

The Law is the only mechanism in ensuring mutual respect and peaceful co-existence, local and international; it is not to be violated by Guyanese, nor by those who believe “international dictatorship” is the new format for bilateral encounters. It is evident that some within the diplomatic community lack diplomatic finesse, and are no longer about nations exercising choice, but rather about nations kneeling before their dictates, and delivering without question in accordance with their wishes.

Guyana might as well be a colony of those who embrace this new trend of “international dictatorship”. It is in this rather disturbing context that Ambassador for the European Union Fernando Ponz Canto is condemned for his recent pronouncements in sections of the media that Guyana’s elections “was impossible to cheat”. As far as he is concerned, every other observer was of the same opinion, therefore that was sufficient proof of the credibility of the process. What his intellect fails to recognise is that many Guyanese are smart enough to recognise that what appears to be many sources speaking in unity is in fact emanating from one source.

He ignores the observation reports emanating from the recount process that shows anomalies after anomalies, not only pertaining to alleged votes by dead persons and persons not in the jurisdiction, but also more votes cast at certain locations than voters on the Official List of Electors; missing documents to determine the validity of the vote cast against an official identified voter; votes cast without proper identification or an affidavit of identity; absence of polling books to validate the many questionable occurrences that transpired within the particular polling station; boxes without seals; and boxes at various polling stations with documents from another polling station.

The stated anomalies seemed to escape the Ambassador, or are not according to his intellectual understanding of cheating. Yet the same Ambassador is quick to pontificate on the process he and other observers witnessed in the Region Four count which he considers wrong; a process of tabulation that was no different than that which occurred in several other regions as reported in a court of law, but which was only found to be wrong for, and challenged in the Region Four process.

From where does Ambassador Canto get the authority to determine how Guyana must move forward in its elections declaration? This is yet another show of lack of integrity and total disregard for the Order governing the recount, which expressly sets out, among other considerations, the following: “AND WHEREAS the Guyana Elections Commission, in exercise of the authority vested in it under Article 162 of the Constitution, and pursuant to Section 22 of the Elections Laws (Amendment) Act, No. 15 of 2000, seeks to remove difficulties connected with the application of the Representation of the People Act, Chapter 1:03, in implementing its decisions relating to the conduct of the aforementioned recount of all ballots cast at the said elections, including the reconciliation of the ballots issued with the ballots cast, destroyed, spoiled, stamped, and as deemed necessary, their counterfoils/stubs; authenticity of the ballots and the number of voters listed and crossed out as having voted; the number of votes cast without ID cards; the number of proxies issued and the number utilised; statistical anomalies; occurrences recorded in the Poll Book.”

As per said Order, this consideration, along with others, will collectively serve to determine any declaration to be made. The foregoing clearly establishes that the recount is not about simple numbers, but a more complex and complete evaluation to determine factors impacting the count. The Opposition and the international community, speaking the same language, are now limiting the credibility of the elections to a numerical count in direct rejection of the gazetted Order. This is lawlessness, and we should be disturbed by it. Unfortunately, Guyanese have become so polarsied, that it is being ignored how important law and order are for our mutual well-being, here and abroad.

Some in the diplomatic community have shifted the goalpost from screaming transparency on March 5, but when transparency was met in accordance with the court’s ruling, they screamed credibility. Now that GECOM has sought to establish credibility, for them it is only about a numerical count, equivalent to doing a math problem and arriving at a correct answer, using a very flawed process. Some are making the same mistake they made in interpreting the Consequential Order of the Caribbean Court of Justice on the no-confidence vote. This is not accident; it is designed to influence thinking and action not premised on law and order that will not augur well for us in the long-run.

Regards,
Lincoln Lewis

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_e-paper_6-3-2020

…says stands by the list provided to GECOM

AN attempt to cast a shadow of doubt on the credibility of a list provided to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) by the Guyana Police Force Immigration Department was met with major objection, with the Commissioner of Police, Leslie James, rubbishing the claims levied against him.

“…The Guyana Police Force stands by the information provided to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) recently,” the force said on Tuesday, in a direct response to an article published in the Kaieteur Newspaper, in which it was alleged that the Commissioner of Police provided the Elections Commission with fictitious information on persons who were out of the jurisdiction at the time of elections.

James, in a letter to the Elections Commission on May 27, confirmed that 172 persons from a list of 207 were not in Guyana when the General and Regional Elections were held on March 2. The names were verified in light of claims made by the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), that persons voted in the place of Guyanese who were out of the jurisdiction at the time of elections.

But in the Tuesday, June 2, 2020 Edition of the Kaieteur News, the Police Commissioner was accused of providing “false” information to GECOM. The article’s headline read: ‘Top Cop gives false information to Claudette Singh,’ but hours later, the Police Force refuted the article.

“The Administration of the Force iterates that migration data produced by the Immigration Department of the Guyana Police Force is generated through its record system which includes an Electronic Border Management System. This system however, does not record persons who travelled illegally,” the force said in a terse statement.

While the Police Commissioner has confirmed that more than 83 per cent of the persons listed were out of the jurisdiction, GECOM’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Yolanda Ward, was unable to confirm whether those persons’ names were marked off as having voted on Elections Day as alleged by the APNU+AFC.  However, she was keen on noting that the issue was actively engaging the attention of the Elections Commission.

“The commission has not made a decision on the way forward on this matter,” Ward told reporters on Monday on the outskirts of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) – the venue of the national recount of the March 2 votes.

While GECOM’s PRO has indicated that a single list of 207 names were provided by the APNU+AFC on May 20, the coalition’s Executive Member, Aubrey Norton, had told reports last week that 600 names were provided to  GECOM to support it claims that persons voted in the place of migrants. But those 600 names, according to the APNU+AFC, were part of a list of 1,200 plus names of persons, who were alleged to have voted on E-Day but were out of the jurisdiction.

In addition to the 1,200 immigration-related cases, the APNU+AFC has cited over 800 additional cases in which it alleged that there were irregularities and discrepancies; these include cases in which persons allegedly voted on behalf of the dead. These irregularities, the coalition has argued, have affected more than 90,000 votes and ought to be thoroughly investigated by the Elections Commission before the results of the March 2 Elections are declared.

Political Scientist, Dr. David Hinds, in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, said that GECOM, under the Constitution and Elections Law (Amendment) Act, has the authority to investigate the anomalies ahead of the declaration of the results, and ought to do so.

“If it could, as the court has said, look into the complaints about the tabulation of Region Four votes, then it can investigate and pronounce on other forms of inconsistencies,” Dr. Hinds submitted, while underscoring the need for GECOM to facilitate a thorough investigation.

He said the discrepancies discovered thus far have already called into question the credibility of the March 2 Elections. “I think the irregularities uncovered thus far are enough to call into question the credibility of the elections. You simply cannot have a credible outcome if the process is as compromised as we are finding out. The numbers cannot be right if the process is wrong. It is as plain and clear as that,” the political scientist reasoned.

While dismissing claims that the recount is merely numerical, the political scientist said the primary purpose of the national recount is to determine the credibility of the elections, and as such, anomalies and discrepancies ought to be investigated.

“Was the electoral process a credible one? You can best determine that by a comprehensive look at how the electoral architecture was or was not manipulated by persons and forces entrusted with ensuring fairness,” he said, while noting that the recount itself is a very expansive investigation.

“So, you do not go through a recount and then at the end of the process say it’s not my duty to pronounce on what I find—leave it to a petition. GECOM cannot do investigation for the court—its investigation is to satisfy its own needs,” Dr. Hinds further stated. He submitted that it is hypocritical to talk about democratic outcomes when the process is undemocratic.

Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_e-paper_6-3-2020