By Navendra Seoraj
PRESIDENT David Granger has again committed to respecting and complying with any declaration made by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).
It has been almost 20 weeks since Guyanese went to the polls, but a result of the General and Regional Elections is yet to be declared by the Elections Commission. And, it was argued on many occasions that the delay was due mainly to a ‘legal’ tug of war on whether the elections commission should rely on the March declarations or the data generated by the national recount, to declare the results of the elections.
But, whenever a declaration is made, the President said he will accept the outcome, as he is “obliged” to observe the declaration made by the Chairman of GECOM, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh.
“Over the last 20 months, I have insisted that once the Chairman makes a declaration, I would comply with that declaration,” President Granger told reporters on the sidelines of the commissioning ceremony for Guyana’s Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, on Thursday.
The President reiterated his position while responding to a question on whether he intends to call a state of emergency should the Court of Appeal judgment, in Misenga Jones vs GECOM et al, show that his party will not be declared the winner of the elections.
The Court of Appeal has since unanimously dismissed the appeal challenging the legality of the Recount Order which preceded the recount of the votes cast at the March 2 General and Regional elections.
The court also ruled that any challenge to the recount or the setting aside of the declarations of the administrative regions must come by way of an elections petition.
Prior to the court’s decision, the president said: “I have been saying over and over again, I will abide by the declaration by the GECOM and the ruling of the court.”
In simultaneously responding to the question of a state of emergency, President Granger said he has not contemplated the necessity for a state of emergency, and does not see how a state of emergency or necessity for a state of emergency arises.
“I have insisted on credibility from the start and that is nothing new, but I do not see what that has to do with a state of emergency,” he said.
When asked about his views on calls for a declaration to be made based on “valid votes,” the president again said he has insisted on credibility.
“What I have insisted on is credibility. Other people have been making calls, I know what I have said…I have said I am interested in having as early as possible, a declaration by the Chairman of the Commission,” said President Granger.
In further answering a question on what would be his position if a declaration is made and it includes votes that are deemed invalid, he said: “With respect, my statement on compliance with the declaration was not conditional. I did not say if the rain is falling or the sun is shining, if it comes by day or night. I am obliged to observe the declaration of the chairman of the Elections Commission.”
Despite the President’s commitment and the absence of declared results, there have been calls for President Granger to concede. And, in response to this, the President said he cannot concede because no declaration has been made.
“I pay attention to what the popular media say but as far as the groundswell is concerned everybody knows that over the past 20 months I have been saying over and over again that I will abide by the declaration by the GECOM and ruling of the court,” said the Head of State.
He, however, said: “People can rightfully challenge a ruling once they disagree with it, but once the court has finally ruled then we will obey the rule of the court….the groundswell is not a legitimate statement of what the law or the constitution calls for…I follow the constitution and what the courts have said and I await a decision of the commission.”
The President also reminded persons that he does not “run” the elections, and it is the Chairman and the six commissioners of GECOM who will determine the outcome of the process.
In a past report, President Granger had said the Executive branch of Government does not have a role in managing elections.
“That role is given unto the Constitution, exclusively, explicitly to the Elections Commission. I cannot claim victory, which I have not done, and I cannot concede defeat, which I have not done, unless I’m notified, formally, by the Chairman of the Elections Commission,” he said.
He said: “I don’t know what the Elections Commission will declare. Like all Guyanese, we’ve been subject to various reports but the only authentic report will come from the Chairman of the Elections Commission to me and that has not happened. In that regard, I encourage all the spokespersons and commentators to wait, patiently, on the Chairman of the Elections Commission who, when she is ready, will make a declaration and, as I’ve said before, I’ll abide by that declaration.”
Recently, in a show of good faith, the incumbent A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition had extended an “olive branch” to all parties, which contested the elections.
The coalition said it is open to dialogue on a possible solution that would bring an end to the protracted electoral process.
APNU+AFC Chief Spokesperson, Joseph Harmon, in a public address, said: “The APNU+AFC Coalition, in the national interest, and with a view to maintaining stability and peace, remains open to dialogue with other political parties and stakeholders on the way forward for our country. The APNU+AFC Coalition is prepared to act responsibly to bring a resolution to the ongoing political situation.”
All eyes will again be on GECOM, as Guyanese await the conclusion of the protracted electoral process.
Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_epaper_31_07_2020