Commonwealth, ERC laud Caricom’s intervention to recount ballots cast

General and Regional Elections

The Caribbean Community’s intervention in the recounting of ballots cast in the March 2, 2020 National and Regional Elections has been lauded by the Commonwealth.

Secretary General Patricia Scotland in a statement on Monday, made reference to the ruling of Chief Justice (ag), Roxane George which stated that the District Four verification process was not credible. As such, commendations were given to the leadership of Caricom for their intervention.
The decision to have a recount for all ten administrative regions was agreed to by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and President David Granger, which paved the way for the Caricom team to swoop in.
“The Commonwealth Observer Group to Guyana informed me it is the clear view of the Group that the subsequent tabulation in Region 4 was not conducted in accordance with the judgement of the Acting Chief Justice and is therefore not credible. In this regard, I welcome and commend the regional leadership of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), at the invitation of President David Granger, to deploy a high-level mission to Guyana, to supervise a recount of the ballots cast in all ten regions of the recently concluded elections,” Scotland highlighted.

Mention was also made to the leadership of the two mainstream parties – the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and the A Partnership For National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) for fostering this process. In light of this, the Secretary General called for stakeholders to act in accordance with the judgement of the acting Chief Justice.
“The leadership of President Granger and the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, in coming to this agreement on the way forward deserves to be lauded. I also note and welcome the public commitment from Justice Claudette Singh, Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), that she would facilitate the recounting of ballots; and her assurance that GECOM will cooperate fully with the Caricom initiative. I urge all relevant stakeholders and public officials to do the same, and in accordance with the unambiguous judgement of the Acting Chief Justice,” the official stated.
Scotland indicated that the Commonwealth is continuing its oversight into the events yet to unfold, and the expectation is that the country will adhere to its constitutional backing and other international obligations.
“The entire Commonwealth family look to the leaders and the people of Guyana to live up to the lofty aspirations set out in your Constitution, your electoral laws, and the Commonwealth Charter.”
Meanwhile, the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) also welcomes the decision to have a recount, stating that the integrity of the ballot boxes should not be compromised. It stated that this will moreover bring an end to the tense political climate and uncertainty which currently envelopes the country.
“This, the Commission believes, would bring an amicable end to the current political impasse which has resulted in a non-declaration of credible final results even as two weeks have elapsed since Guyanese went to the polls to choose a Government of their choice. The decision also demonstrates that meaningful and genuine collaboration across the political aisle is achievable and vital to help resolve inherent differences and challenges,” the Commission stated.
The ERC, which is responsible for promoting harmony among the Guyanese people, also underscored the need for tolerance and peace at this time.
“It also has tremendous potential to heal the current unwelcome and prevailing divide among our people. The Commission remains optimistic that the full details of how the recount would be undertaken will be agreeable to all and the conduit to derive desirable credible results…The Commission would like to reiterate its call for all Guyanese to act responsibly; to demonstrate tolerance, respect and restraint especially during this period and to heed the messages for togetherness, harmony and good relations,” the statement read.