Business, religious, human rights reps condemn GECOM over unverified results

…say no to swearing-in anyone until count is lawfully completed

Several business support organisations, non-governmental bodies, religious and other organisations on Friday joined in the growing voices of condemnation against the actions of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), namely the declaration of unverified results for Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).
The declaration has since left the country on edge and the Guyana Manufacturers and Services Association (GMSA) noted that, as an important affiliate of the Private Sector, “feels compelled to lend its voice directly to the major political stakeholders, in seeking a sensible and reasonable resolution to the current unsatisfactory situation”.
GMSA also urged that action be taken to ensure the achievement of credible results to the recently held elections.
“Conscious of the specific roles ascribed to political parties, civil society and GECOM, as outlined in our Constitution, in consort with the neutral presence of the international community, our Association strongly believes that only one practical course of action is available”.
It was noted that GECOM, as the principal administrator in the conduct of our elections, should immediately conclude on the process for Region Four using a similar procedural and process approach as was adopted in earlier results of the previous nine regions, and arrive at an accurate and consensual result which has the support of the international observers.

Fair and transparent process
Another business support organisation, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), in lending its voice to the impasse, said in a public missive that it strongly condemns the actions of GECOM “to corrode the integrity of the electoral process by circumventing established procedures prescribed in the laws of Guyana during the tabulation process for Region Four”.
GCCI, which served as a domestic observer in the recently concluded General and Regional Elections, disclosed that its representatives were present at the office of the Returning Officer (RO) for Region Four when the tabulation process was halted “without sound justification in several instances”.
According to GCCI, it views the actions of GECOM as a direct assault to the democratic processes of this country, as the refusal to conduct the tabulation process in accordance with the law has disenfranchised all Guyanese who would have cast their votes in Region Four.
The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), a recently formed business support organisation, in weighing in on the country’s political stalemate, also called on GECOM to restart the verification process for Region Four.
According to AmCham, the people of Guyana deserve to have a Government that is lawfully elected through a fair and transparent process.
“Based on our observation of the process, the Chamber is of the opinion that the purported declaration being circulated of the results for Region Four is not credible due to the incomplete verification process.”
The Region Five Chamber of Commerce and Industry in its appeal said democracy is at stake and that Guyana can plunder into economic crisis as a result of the current political impasse that has embroiled the country.
Registering discontent and concerns at the current developments in relation to the March 2, 2020 General Elections, the Region Five Chamber called on GECOM to execute their functions in accordance with the established laws governing electoral process.
“The current situation, if allowed to continue, can cause Guyana to face international sanctions and negative consequences which will impact all Guyana and Guyanese people— economically and socially, not forgetting the stake of losing our reputation.”
Adding its voice to the condemnation, the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) said that GECOM must obey the rule of law.
“We urge all the parties not to accept these results or governance, even if it is in their favour, using unverified and illegal declarations. It will not augur well for Guyana. We remind the leaders of all political parties, and more so President Granger, of their combined commitment to a credible, free, fair, and transparent elections and reiterate the need to maintain our fragile democracy,” GDDMA said.
It added that all party supporters should not be misled by non-credible declarations and wait on the transparent and credible announcement by GECOM that reflects the will of the Guyanese people. “We beg leaders and citizens to be responsible and calm.”

Doubts over credibility
Meanwhile, the constitutionally established Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) also weighed in saying, firstly, that the holding of free, fair and transparent elections is a vital tenet of democracy and for the promotion of unity, harmony and good relations and that “the credibility of the elections is therefore paramount”.
According to the ERC, “the declaration of results for Region Four, after an incomplete verification process, has now cast doubts over the credibility of the March 2 General and Regional Elections”.
It said, “…having delivered a credible voting process, GECOM is urged, in the best interest of peace and harmony, to safeguard the integrity of the elections by ensuring that the verification and tabulation process, as reflected in The Representation of the People Act, is followed”.
ERC used the opportunity to also caution that “the historical lessons and the inevitable consequences over elections must guide during this sensitive period”.
The Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG), in lending its voice to the chorus against GECOM, called on all party leaders to consider the long-term consequences of their actions, adding that the “winner” of a compromised election will always be tainted and viewed as unworthy.
The organisation said too that “beyond that, you would be wounding the democratic process, thereby inflicting severe harm on the country and the people that you profess to love”.
The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, another of the religious organisations to speak on the issue, said it is deeply concerned about the occurrences at GECOM “over the past few days which culminated in the purported declaration of the results for Region Four without the required verification process being completed as required by law.
Our democracy is precious and must be maintained and defended…Elections offer Guyanese an opportunity to vote for a government of their choice and GECOM is responsible for conducting free and fair elections with honesty, integrity and transparency in strict accordance with our laws”.
Meanwhile, the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA), in lending its voice to the debate, said that in light of obligations to voters, and the interests of legality and transparency, it calls upon GECOM to complete the count in Region Four based on the SOPs as mandated.
According to GHRA, “the results should then be announced according to established procedures and accepted by all political parties and all citizens, regardless of who may be winners or losers and further, there should be no swearing-in of anyone until the Region Four count is completed”.