Home Letters Do be fair and just; please count the ballots in the fullness...
Dear Mr Granger,
At this challenging moment in Guyana’s history, with election results still to be transparently declared a month after the event, and with the situation being exacerbated by the global threating pandemic of this time (COVID-19), I urge you to be fair and just in treating with the election results, 2020.
Since March 2nd, there have been moments in time when this would have been possible and much anticipated, but alas, the good name of Guyana has been besmirched nationally, regionally and internationally, as this has not been done.
As I compellingly write today, April 2nd 2020, this may be another opportunity to demonstrate the character of your leadership. In the four elapsed weeks since the elections, the people of Guyana have been subjugated to constitutional legality from our leaders in office, from many eminent lawyers, and from the courts. Some can be applauded for this.
But where is the morality of leadership that will not allow for the simplest of things, viz: Recount of the ballots cast in the full light of day; if not for all ten Regions (as nine Regions do not appear in dispute) but for Region Four only – Demerara-Mahaica?
This wish has been expressed by our CARICOM leaders, eminently led by PM Mia Mottley of Barbados; echoed by friendly countries globally; and most importantly, agreed to by yourself, Mr President, and Chair of GECOM.
The High Court of Guyana has now cleared the legality for this. Now please show moral leadership and courage and do the right and just thing today. We must all be reminded of Benjamin Franklin’s wise words, “It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it”.
Leadership is often a testing time for all of us, but our morality of integrity, accountability, humility and fairness among other values must be our compass, steering our decision-making. The country and the world look to your fair and transparent leadership in this matter today.
Mr. President, we share a common bond, educated in great schools of leadership – the venerable Queen’s College of Georgetown and the esteemed regional University of the West Indies. We were schooled in problem-solving and critical-thinking, all driven by the search for truth. Very simply therefore, count the ballots in the open and then let the truth and only the truth be known. This will solve the impasse that we face.
With humility, I wish you can both be reminded by Psalm 26:4-5: “I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites. I hate the assembly of evil doers and I will not sit with the wicked.” Show your leadership, discard the evil doers, as they know who they are.
Mr. President, national elections are crucial for a nation’s future governance and direction. But like any contest, you lose some and win some. Guyana has witnessed this before, and will witness this again. But take heart from current US Presidential Candidate Senator Bernie Sanders, who said, “Election days come and go, but the struggle of the people to create a government which represents all of us and not just the 1% – a government based upon the principles of economic, social, racial and environmental justice, that struggle continues.” Be assured we are in this together.
Mr. President, Madam Chairperson, please do the fair and just thing. Please count the ballots in the fullness of light, as this must be your legacy. “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.” (Proverbs 11:3)
Professor Clement K Sankat
President, University of Belize;
Former Principal and Pro- Vice
Chancellor, UWI St Augustine,
Trinidad and Tobago