Dear Editor,
It is quite an absurdity that the AFC is now concluding that, ‘votes can’t be forged on elections day’, when the Party has forged signatures on the ‘backers form’ which has allowed the AFC’s candidates acceptance to contest on elections day.
The learned Judge’s decision not to disallow the signatures on the backers forms due to ‘fraud, trickery or force’ can do nothing to eradicate the fact that 50 persons from the Whim/Bloomfield LAA signed affidavits demanding that their names be removed from the AFC’s list. However, this will not deter them from voting for the Party of their choice which is the People’s Progressive Party. Therefore, it is the PPP who have the right to pontificate that, ‘votes can’t be forged on Elections Day’, not the AFC. The affidavits did not lie-it is a sworn statement witnessed and certified by a Commissioner of Oaths to Affidavits and Justice of Peace. Has the AFC subsequently contacted these 50 persons to inquire why they have signed such affidavits?
These people wanted their names removed before the deadline on Wednesday, September 26th, 2018, but the trickery and deliberate obfuscation of the GECOM Officials ensured that these people are denied access to their legal rights. More than 150 persons in Region 6 claimed that their names should not have been on the AFC’s backer list since they are PPP supporters and have sworn to affidavits to attest to their claim. Clearly I cannot see why these people should be denied the right to back the party of their choice which is clearly not the AFC. In the investigation conducted by the Guyana Police Force, this fact was reiterated and echoed with deep conviction. Whether these people were subjected to ‘fraud, trickery or threats’ should not be the focal point of any argument. The conclusion is simple: ‘I do not support the AFC and I want my name removed from the backers’ lists’. They should not have been denied that right, the people gave evidence on their behalf and no one from the AFC was even in court to deny the fact. The Prime Ministers’ relatives could not be located!
The police investigation team revealed that at the persons from Whim/Bloomfield stated that they did not know that they were signing an AFC’s backers list and one person claimed that he did not sign at all-his signature was forged.
Why was this forgery not properly investigated and taken into consideration in the Court? At #51/Good Hope, eighteen persons claimed that they never signed the AFC’s backers list, nine persons lived abroad, one woman is dead and one could not read and write but yet purportedly signed the list. Affidavits were also signed to that effect.
An investigation is badly needed here. Even APNU and AFC members admitted to this fraudulent occurrence at No 51/Good Hope!
I have written a letter to the press months ago with regards to a group of AFC con-men going around deceiving people to sign on a list for certain favors such as repairs to streets and street lights.
This is fraudulent misrepresentation. This matter was raised at our RDC Statutory since April this year and the REO had promised to investigate the matter since it is the NDCs and the RDCs function to make budgetary proposals for these works and not some AFC members. The AFC boys have, indeed, done a lot of preparatory work to get their ‘backers’!
It leaves no doubt in my mind from the very inception that the case will be dismissed, given the recent trends in our courts and the fact that the GPF, which is under the directive of an AFC Minister was called upon to investigate. The flag raising ceremony at Corriverton in February this year is still fresh in our minds.
However, this case should never have reached the Courts in the first place, but GECOM’s farcical comedy and deliberate procrastination sanctioned this electoral fraud perpetrated on the voters who have been denied the right to back the political party of their choice. Fortunately, they will be granted reprieve on November 12th to vote for the Party of their choice.
The AFC has tried to field candidates through fraudulent means to create an impression that they are ‘alive’ or should I say ‘fit and proppa’, but this is short-lived and all the ranting and raving about emerging with a majority at the LGE is an infinitesimal existence in fool’s paradise.
Undoubtedly, the AFC will finally be placed to rest.
Yours sincerely,
Haseef Yusuf
