Dear Editor
No one can successfully deny the usefulness of the Carter Center Observer Mission to Guyana, since 1992, to reinforce the rule of law, strengthen civil society, and, of course, deepen democracy. Indeed, the model at the Guyana Election Commission (GECOM) was, in fact, influenced by that very Mission (Carter- Price Formula [prior 1992]). And I am sure that, Guyanese are very grateful for its assistance, over the years, to advance our collective effort to build a democratic and sustainable society.
That, notwithstanding, I am astonished at the extraordinary fuss being made, by some, to have the team, from the center, that observed the 2020 elections, here, in Guyana, returned to observe the recount exercise. The question that immediately comes to mind is, why not allow them to return to watch the recount? In my view, there is a more fundamental question: what can the Carter Center do that the teams that are already on the ground, in Georgetown, cannot do? Put another way, what new value can the Carter center add to the process of recounting slated for Wednesday, May 3, 2020?
There is the general argument that more organisations and groups observing the recount the better; the more the merrier. Then again, monitoring organisations do not all conform to a standardised set of rules when observing and monitoring election processes, in different countries. They are also influenced by numerous factors, including the importance of the state holding elections and the political agenda of their resident countries. Therefore, they make different judgements and arrive at different conclusions about the results of the same elections. This flexibility, to see the same set of elections from different political lens, sometimes, facilitates contradictions, which can be exploited by various groups with vested interests in the process, and even undermine the credibility of those election observer bodies; more is not necessarily merrier.
An equally important question is the one on public health. Why should Guyana allow people in in this frightening Covid- 19 environment, which has already claimed nine lives, here, and hundreds of thousands across the world?
The CARICOM team present, in Guyana, to observe the recount, had to follow the strict guidance of the National Task Force for Covid- 19. Even the Guyana Election Commission, consulted with the Task Force and agreed to work with its guidance. And local observers must abide by its rules. The intention is to keep everyone safe and alive.
In an effort to protect their citizens, almost all nations of the world, including western liberal democracies, have implemented strong measures including, closing or restricting use of their national borders. Can anyone tell those Presidents, Prime Ministers or the health authorities of those countries to compromise the public health of their citizens by opening up their air spaces to let in certain individuals or teams of individuals to observe the recounting of election materials? No! Why then should Guyanese be treated with any less respect? I hate it when certain countries are openly disregarding our status as an independent nation; they are attempting to treat us more like a colony or annex of their nation.
Finally, I am beyond troubled when I think of the fact that on the one hand, we, in Guyana, are given monetary and other assistance, by some countries, to improve our democratic credentials. On the other, it does appear that, these credentials are continuously weakened, in words and in deeds, by the very people, who are giving us help; they are giving and taking at the same time. They are undermining our fragile democracy.
There are many Guyanese overseas, who have made requests to return home but they have been denied entry because of measures put in in place to combat Covid- 19. Why then should the government relax its rules, to allow an observer team to travel to Guyana, to witness the recounting of ballots and other related materials? We, in Guyana, being part of the Caribbean Community family have high confidence and trust in the CARICOM team, here. They along with local observers are more than capable of doing a good job. So what is the fuss with the Carter Center?
Regards
Royston King
Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_e-paper_05-06-2020