Consider consequences to Guyana’s reputation – Commonwealth SG

Fraudulent invalidation of votes

…Guyana’s electorate spoke clearly – Michael Kozak

The Commonwealth Secretariat on Wednesday condemned the move by Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield to invalidate over 115,000 votes and warned of the consequences that this could bring to Guyana’s reputation as a democratic nation.

In a statement, Secretary General, Baroness Patricia Scotland reminded that just last week she had welcomed the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Observer Report, which was clear that the recount results represented the will of the people of Guyana when they exercised their right to vote on March 2.
As such, Baroness Scotland posited that the move by the CEO to present results to GECOM that did not reflect those certified at the end of the recount exercise would be contrary to the fundamental principles which were treasured by the Commonwealth family and were enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter.
“We call on all responsible parties to consider the consequences to Guyana’s reputation as a democratic country if such an approach was allowed to stand,” the Commonwealth SG posited in her missive on Wednesday.

Moreover, Baroness Scotland also expressed concerns over the fact that Guyana’s General and Regional Elections were not yet concluded almost four months since polling day.
“We commend the people of Guyana for your continued patience and peace, and we encourage you to continue to do so. The Commonwealth Charter recognises the inalienable right of individuals to participate in democratic processes, in particular through free and fair elections in shaping the society in which they live and for this right to be protected and respected.
“Guyana is a valued member of our Commonwealth family and I encourage all stakeholders in Guyana to honour their constitutional duties by ensuring a fair and transparent political process,” SG Scotland asserted.
Only last week, the high-level Caricom Team of scrutineers submitted their report on the recently-concluded national recount, stating that “…nothing we witnessed warrants a challenge to the inescapable conclusion that the recount results are acceptable and should constitute the basis of the declaration of results of the March 2, 2020 elections”.
That report was welcomed by the Commonwealth SG the same day. Baroness Scotland also lauded caretaker President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo for demonstrating commendable leadership when they agreed to the recount and committed to respect and adhere to the recount results. She had noted that this continued leadership and commitment were needed now more than ever.
“The people of Guyana have been patient and deserve finality as determined by the recount results… The Commonwealth continues to stand with Guyana, and urge 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,” the Commonwealth SG said last Monday.
Wednesday’s missive from the 54-member nation group comes on the heels of mounting international pressure for the results emanating from the national recount to be used as the basis for the final declaration of the March 2020 elections results.
Also, on Wednesday, acting United States Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Michael Kozak in a tweet on Twitter supported the Commonwealth statement, adding that Guyana’s electorate has spoken clearly.
“Guyana’s electorate spoke clearly & respected international observers @OAS_official & @CARICOMorg have certified the recount results as credible. We join them in calling for a conclusion to the electoral process in #Guyana & the announcement of a winner,” Kozak said.
On Tuesday, the Organisation of American States (OAS) had sounded similar calls, stating that its observers were present for the determination and tabulation of the total valid votes in each region during the 34-day recount exercise and the totals were subsequently confirmed by the CEO in his report submitted to the Elections Commission.
The OAS said, “GECOM is, therefore, already in possession of a result based on the valid votes cast on March 2, 2020, through a recount exercise that was approved by all stakeholders. In these circumstances, the OAS General Secretariat expects that anyone who wishes to challenge the validity of any of these votes should do so through an election petition filed in the High Court, after GECOM declares the election result based on the recount data.”
CEO Lowenfield on Tuesday submitted his final elections report to the seven-member Commission in which he disenfranchised some 115,000 voters.
Lowenfield’s new figures, which he says are “valid and credible votes”, have invalidated nearly 25 per cent of the votes cast at the March polls.