THE imminent decision expected from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on the national recount cannot be over-emphasized. It teems with the potential to shake, nay, crumble the very foundation of values and basic principles on which our society rests, and, if it pleases you, wherever humanity exists. It has become painfully clear that the March 2nd national and regional elections were replete with fraud, if only by public perception. As a consequence, consistent with Article 177(1) of the Constitution, it is very difficult to see a declaration that remotely suggests that the witch’s numerical brew before the commission is a firm basis to form a legitimate government. There is no question that the will of the people has been dashed by powerful corrupt interests and it has come down to a battle for the soul of the nation.
Basic Values
As long as society exists, there are basic values that guide our interaction. If we attend school, we are taught that if an exam has been compromised by widespread cheating or fraudulent activities, the entire exam has to be quashed. In the realm of sport, if a game has been tainted by ball-tampering and the digging up of the pitch to gain an advantage, points from the game or competition cannot be used to advance in a tournament. In the professional sphere, if workers submit fraudulent documents for promotion and it is discovered, those workers cannot be allowed to gain promotion. Our laws are replete with safeguards against fraud, if it receives the imprimatur of an elections commission, the entire state loses the moral high ground to pontificate on key arguments of morals and ethics. From the ordinary hustler in the street to the highest office in the land, we would cede ground to a criminal value system.
THE CASE HAS BEEN MADE
Some argue that there was no fraud and the elections were credible. They posit the case of a hoax created by a political party that is desperate to cling to power at all costs. While it is true that politicians will always cry foul in any process that appears not consistent with their interests, and while it is indeed true that elections are often replete with issues, the value of both maxims is contextual. In the context of the March 2nd, 2020 elections, the case of discredited elections has been abundantly made by one political party. Ghost voting and voting by migrants completely kills any chance of the true reflection of the will of the people. Some may want to posit that the questionable votes are not enough to affect the overall results. This is the same argument used in the Zimbabwe elections petition case: Chamisa v Mnangagwa and 24 others (supra). This argument has been discredited by numerous courts, most notably the Malawi High Court which stated: ‘What if the numbers themselves are as a result of an inaccurate counting, intimidation, fraud or corruption? Surely, for an election to be truly free, fair and credible, it must be conducted in full compliance with the Constitution and applicable electoral laws’ (MSCA Constitutional Appeal No.1 of 2020).
THE DANGERS
If a government accedes to office by virtue of electoral fraud, the nation is immediately saddled with a kleptocracy from the outset that will invariably morph into a dictatorship. In this, good governance and accountability are non-starters since the halls of government will be occupied by minds that embrace the idea of corruption as a means of survival. Therein lies the dangers for any population and for this reason, it is a battle for the soul of the nation. A critical national question is before the commission: what is the Guyanese character? Are we a people who eschew fairness and justice? Are we a people who would lend support to wrongdoing? What is our value system?
With all of this in mind, there should be appreciation for the characterisation of this entire process being a battle for the soul of the nation.
Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_e-paper_6-14-2020