Declaration delay threatens stability and democracy – South American democratic bloc

The recently established Forum for the Progress and Integration of South America (PROSUR) has called for Guyana to swiftly declare the results of the March 2 elections using the certified figures from the National Recount, warning that further delays will threaten the stability and democracy of Guyana.

The regional bloc consists of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Peru as well as Guyana. PROSUR was founded in March 2019 to replace the defunct Union of South American Nation (UNASUR). Guyana was among eight South American countries that signed the Santiago Declaration to become an original member of PROSUR.
In a recent statement, the continental governments expressed their concern about the delay in the conclusion of Guyana’s General and Regional Elections, which were held four months ago.
The PROSUR Members said such a situation, “…threatens the stability of [the] country and threatens democratic principles.”
The missive went on to highlight that one of the essential guidelines of PROSUR is the observance of the democracy, the rule of law, the respective constitutional orders and promotion, protection, respect and guarantee of fundamental freedoms.
To this end, the PROSUR members call on the Guyanese political forces to respect the popular will and declare the final results as soon as possible, based on the vote recount observed and certified by the special Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Mission, supported by the Organization of American States (OAS) and the European Union (EU).
The regional body also expressed its appreciation of the efforts by the OAS in monitoring the situation in Guyana.

Only on Tuesday, the OAS Permanent Council held a special meeting to discuss the ongoing political and electoral impasse in Guyana, during which presentations were made by several Member States unanimously calling for the protracted electoral process in Guyana to be brought to an end.
In his remarks, OAS Secretary-General Luis Almagro said there should be an acceptance of the results to facilitate a peaceful transition of Government.
He made it pellucid that democracy must be upheld in Guyana, and urged that the Judiciary stop being the refuge of those who want to do nothing more than delay the declaration of results of the General and Regional Elections.
“The current situation serves no purpose in Guyana. We call to stop using the Judiciary branch to avoid bringing a solution to the country. It’s time to make decisions and protect democracy and the will of the people expressed in the elections,” Almagro said.
The caretaker APNU/AFC, through its supporter Misegna Jones, had moved to the court to block the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) from making a declaration of the elections results using the figures emanating from the National Recount.
The 33-day recount exercise had shown that the main opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) with a landslide victory, having secured 233,336 votes, while the APNU/AFC obtained 217,920 votes – a difference of some 15,416 votes.
However, the High Court on Monday dismissed the application and ruled that GECOM must make a declaration based on the recount results – upholding a similar judgement delivered by Guyana’s apex court, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), earlier this month.
Nevertheless, the decision handed down by Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George has since been challenged by the APNU/AFC agent, and is set for hearing on Saturday in the Court of Appeal.