THE Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) commended the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for what it called a smooth and transparent “elections day” voting process.
In a press release, on Friday, the GPSU said it viewed the March 2 elections as, free, fair and free from fear.
“We also commend the electors for their patience and the orderly manner in which they went about casting their ballots and, the Guyana Police Force for the professional manner in which they discharged their duties,” the release said.
The Union, which is a local GECOM accredited observer and a major stakeholder representing Public Sector workers’ interest, has observed polling at hundreds of polling stations across five administrative regions and recognizes that, it has an obligation to bring to the attention of GECOM Officials, and the electorate at large, matters, which, in the Union’s opinion, are likely to jeopardise the credibility of the election’s process.
In accordance with the Representation of the People’s Act Cap 1:03; Part 9; section 85 (1)
“The election agent of each group of candidates may appoint one of the candidates, hereinafter in this part referred to as the ‘duly appointed candidate’ to attend at the counting of the votes in a district.”
The GPSU said that the presence of a large number of persons within the counting area of the Returning Officer’s Office in District 4, contravenes the aforementioned act. “This should have been censured by several senior political operatives, including the PPP/C Presidential Candidate Mr. Ifraan Ali, all of whom seemed not to have discouraged their supporters who were engaged in the lawless abuse of GECOM employees and members of the Guyana Police Force in Uniform. These attacks resulted in damage to property and coercion of GECOM Staff and law enforcement officers in uniform. All in full view and in the company of both local and International Observers,” the release said.
The Union said it would not ignore that these groups may have concerns; however, the fact remains that disorderly, lawlessness and irresponsible behaviour, ought not to be tolerated.
The Union said it has taken note of numerous statements from these observer missions via both print and electronic media “but sadly, the aforementioned behaviour was completely ignored.”
“The Union strongly condemns this kind of behaviour in no uncertain terms and calls on all to observe the law, allow GECOM to do its work efficiently, professionally and in an atmosphere free from fear,” the GPSU said in its release.
Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_e-paper_3-7-2020