Caricom calls for Region 4 tabulation to resume under independent RO

…ABCE diplomats concerned over “electoral fraud”

In the most pointed comment and recommendation by an elections observer group, the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Mission proposed that “the transparent tabulation of results for [Region Four] must be resumed under the independent control of the Returning Officer”.

Head of the Caricom Elections Observer Mission (EOM), Cynthia Combie-Martyr, in a statement on Friday noted that the tabulation process “was interrupted and remain incomplete”.
It, therefore, had to be resumed under the conditions which it had started under on Wednesday, “in accord with the legislative provisions of Section 84 of the Representation of the People’s Act Cap 1:03…”
Combie-Martyr said, “…it is evident that the transparent tabulation of results for Region 4 must be resumed under the independent control of the Returning Officer, as these scores are necessary and critical in order to determine the outcome of the national poll”.

She went on to say that, “Like in other regions in Guyana, it is imperative that the Returning Officer [for Region Four] be allowed to carry out his functions independent of any influence or directive from the GECOM Secretariat. Until this occurs, the outcome of the elections of March 2, 2020, cannot be reliably proclaimed”.
On this note, the Caricom Mission Head joined in calls for the tabulation to resume with transparency. She also appealed to the political parties and the Guyanese People to cooperate with the process by honouring the subscribed codes of conduct.
This statement from the regional Observer Mission was issued after Secretary-General of Caricom, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque and representatives of the Organisation of the American States (OAS) met President David Granger on Friday morning.
A missive from the Ministry of the Presidency around noon also detailed that the Head of State also briefed the current Chair of Caricom, Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley, and the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Baroness Patricia Scotland, via telephone. It was further noted that on Thursday, he also briefed diplomats from Britain, the United States of America, Canada and the European Union.

Electoral fraud
Despite this, however, the ABCE diplomatic community in Guyana on Friday morning issued another joint statement in which they expressed “deep concern over credible allegations of electoral fraud which may influence the results of this election”.
The Heads of Mission of the Embassy of the United States of America, Sarah-Ann Lynch; the British High Commission, Greg Quinn; the Canadian High Commission, Lilian Chatterjee, and the Ambassador of the European Union, Fernando Ponz-Canto expressed deep concern over credible allegations of electoral fraud which may influence the results of this election.
“We call on all to ensure proper procedures are in place to yield a credible election result.  A fair and free process is vital for the maintenance and reinforcement of democracy in Guyana,” noted the jointed statement from US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch, British High Commissioner Greg Quinn, Canadian High Commissioner Lilian Chatterjee and Head of the European Delegation Fernando Ponz-Canto.
The diplomats went on to call on President Granger to avoid a transition of government, which they believe would be unconstitutional as it would be based on a vote tabulation process that lacked credibility and transparency.

Tabulation incomplete
Meanwhile, the various international observer missions here in Guyana to monitor the elections also issued a joint statement on Friday, insisting that tabulation of the results from Region Four was interrupted and therefore remains incomplete.
The Commonwealth, OAS, the European Union (EU), and The Carter Center contended, “The law requires that tabulation must be conducted in the presence of party agents and observers. Until this transparent process takes place, the counting of votes recorded for Region [Four] remains incomplete”.
According to the international observers, the transparent tabulation of results for Guyana’s largest voting region must be resumed in order to proceed to the establishment of national results.
They went on to urge that the Guyana Police Force provide a calm and conducive environment and further urge all political parties to adhere to the codes of conduct signed by them.
“The Guyana Elections Commission, including the Chairperson, the Commissioners, the Chief Election Officer, the Returning Officer and Deputy Returning Officers in Region [Four], must be available and committed to establish the results for Region 4 in accordance with the law. Until this occurs, the result of these elections cannot be credibly declared,” the international observers stressed.

United Nations
On the other hand, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Guyana, Mikiko Tanaka, said on Friday that they are following the latest developments here with concern.
She pointed to the statements issued by international observers and Ambassadors accredited in Georgetown raising concerns regarding lack of compliance with national legal procedures and the need to resume the tabulation of results for Region Four.
“We encourage the relevant Guyanese authorities to finalise the process in a manner which leaves no doubts as to the credibility of the results that reflect the will of the Guyanese people. The United Nations calls upon all sides to act with calm, patience and in full respect of human rights, the rule of law and Guyana’s constitutional order,” the missive from Tanaka detailed.