The political climate in Guyana has no doubt affected businesses across the country with major financial loses recorded.
PSC Chairman, Captain Gerry Gouveia
On Saturday a few business owners in Georgetown expressed their dissatisfaction with the credibility of the 2020 Elections which has caused an unwarranted political atmosphere that affects their daily revenues.
One stall owner explained that she cannot wait for this season to pass over since she has her family to feed.
“To tell you the truth, I just want this thing to be over with. Let GECOM do the verification and if the people win give it to them. The election was free and fair and we all saw it. This whole pull and thug affecting people’s bread. I have my children to send to school and this thing not putting money in our pockets, we are suffering loss.”
Scotiabank Guyana barricaded with plyboards around the building
A statement released by Imam Bacchus and Sons Ltd stated: “We believe that the only valid and legal election results are those tabulated from verified statements of polls. Therefore, we view with gravest concern attempt by GECOM to declare results for district 4 without following procedures. Our freedom must never be compromised. We urge the leadership of GECOM to listen to the laws and the will of the people – and return to the process of determining the results in the fairest and most transparent way. The right way”.
Just a day before Guyanese headed to the polls, the capital city and most commercial zones across the country were on lockdown.
These businesses would have secured their properties using plyboards and iron bars, to gear up for any eventuality during the elections process.
In an interview with Guyana Times, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) Gerry Gouveia stated that the Private Sector is waiting on the court ruling since it believes that the Region Four count has not been completed.
Republic Bank Guyana barricaded with plyboards around the building
“We are expecting the court and hoping that the court will rule in compliance with basically states that Region Four tabulation system need to be done in a transparent and creditable manner. We are expecting that to happen and our observing status is very concerning to us,” Gouveia stated.
In fact, he further noted that it is “very worrying” given the fact that many businesses are closing their doors which will ultimately result in loss of revenues.
“It is actually concerning to the Private Sector Commission, the current state of what is happening and, in fact, that businesses leaders and business people and their employees are choosing to close their business.”
He further pointed out that “it is a very worrying thing because we have seen across the country and especially the urban areas that kind of action being taken and it going take a toll on the economy and it is going take a toll on the workers. So, it is very concerning to us.”
With the unrest unfolding throughout the country, Republic Bank Guyana along with Scotiabank Guyana and other businesses took precautionary measures by installing plyboards around their building to protect their establishment in case of any drama unfolding within the city.
Four days after the election, large groups gathered throughout the country to protest a decision taken by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to declare unverified results for the largest electoral district, Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).
The international community including members of the diplomatic corps and foreign observers have labelled the process as lacking transparency and credibility.
Meanwhile, on Saturday there was the hearing of the injunction preventing the Region Four Returning Officer from making a unilateral declaration on the results of the tabulation of the SOPs.
On Sunday Chief Justice Roxane George ruled that the court has the jurisdiction to hear the matter and as such, scheduled Tuesday, March 10 for the commencement of the hearing.
