Commonwealth finds transparent count of votes is persistently frustrated

…as ‘Ministerial Caucus’ convenes over Guyana’s election impasse

A Special Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group has been convened in relation to Guyana’s political impasse over the protracted delay in the declaration of the General and Regional Elections results, and the 54-nation bloc has reminded that any Government which is sworn in without a credible and fully transparent vote count and tabulation process would lack legitimacy.
The Ministers at the conclusion of the 56th Meeting of the Action Group “expressed grave concern that the credible and transparent counting and tabulation of every vote in Region Four has been persistently frustrated, with a declaration by the Returning Officer having been ruled to be unlawful by the acting Chief Justice”.
The group in a joint statement following the special meeting observed that the Constitution of Guyana clearly states that sovereignty belongs to the people of Guyana.
“In this regard, Ministers noted and welcomed the public undertaking of the Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission [GECOM], Justice Claudette Singh (Ret’d) that the votes would be recounted.”
The Commonwealth Ministers have since called upon GECOM to immediately fulfil its constitutional mandate and to ensure the sovereign right of the people of Guyana to duly elect their Government is respected through a transparent and credible counting and tabulation process.
Additionally, it was noted too that Guyana’s Judiciary continues to be seized with protracted litigation on issues of national importance.
The Ministers observed the passing of the December 21, 2018 no-confidence motion which triggered the constitutional requirement for a General Election, the conduct of the Region Four Returning Officer in the March 2 election and the issue of a recount in Region Four.
“In this regard, Ministers reaffirmed the Commonwealth principle that an independent, effective and competent legal system is integral to upholding the rule of law, engendering public confidence and dispensing justice.”
The group has since committed to keep Guyana on the formal agenda, and, where necessary, to convene an extraordinary meeting to discuss the situation and explore appropriate options.
It was recalled that in 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government recognised the valuable role of Commonwealth Elections Observation in supporting member countries to improve democratic processes and institutions.
The Group also used the occasion to commend the Good Offices efforts of the Commonwealth Secretary General in Guyana, including the deployment of two Senior Electoral Advisers to support GECOM towards the holding of credible, transparent and inclusive General and Regional Elections on March 2, 2020.
The Ministerial Action Group has also affirmed the Commonwealth’s readiness, along with its partners, to provide assistance to ensuring a credible and transparent conclusion to the electoral process in accordance with the will of the people as expressed on March 2, 2020.