Dear Editor,
It was predictable that the General Elections in Guyana would bring accusations of rigging and manipulation of the results given the political and electoral history of our country.
Guyana’s General Election in December 1981 was ‘’rigged massively and flagrantly’’ in favour of the ruling People’s National Congress, this was reported by a team of international observers in 1981. Reports said the election, which the PNC party won by an overwhelming majority, was an example of President Forbes Burnham’s determination ‘’to cling to power at all costs”. History has a way of repeating itself – here we are in 2020, in the same place we were in 1981 where the PNC, only now called the APNU/AFC, did the exact same thing by rigging the March 2, General and Regional Elections in front the eyes of the international observers and the Guyanese people. My fellow citizens, it is time that we remove the blindfold and allow ourselves to clearly see that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic has won the 2020 General and Regional Elections based on the Statement of Polls (SoPs) submitted on social media across the world for all to see. The flawed vote signalled, for many Guyanese, a return to the political malaise of the 1980s when the predecessor of Mr Granger’s PNC party ruled Guyana through a series of sham elections and with the support of the army. Thanks to the international observers and the Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, the APNU/AFC caretaker Administration got caught with their hands in the cookie jar.
Western embassies joined four international observer missions in accusing the GECOM electoral officials of subverting the vote count, they claim the results from Region No Four were tabulated in an opaque way and don’t match the numbers from the Polling Stations based on the SoPs.
Democratic nations around the world and the people of Guyana cannot ignore this blatant and disrespectful disregard for the rule of law in Guyana.
GECOM and the APNU/AFC caretaker Government must respect the will of the Guyanese people to choose their leader. It is clear to all that the APNU/AFC leaders are determined to cling to power at all cost and will do anything to delay and avoid a recount of the votes cast on March 02, 2020. The question is, what are their fears? If the APNU/AFC feels that they have won the elections by an overwhelming majority, then let the recount begin immediately without any delays. It is clear also that GECOM is in collusion with elements of the PNCR to rig the election results. Over the past weeks, international observers and opposition parties have expressed their concern with such elements being involved in the recount process and called for to them to be removed. Let me remind every Guyanese citizen that we need to know the truth of the 2020 General Elections, hence a recount is needed and valuable, so let us openly embrace the recount of our votes for this is the only way we can move forward as a nation. As responsible Guyanese, it is our duty to plea with GECOM to take appropriate steps to make sure that the recount is done. It’s over 53 days that the elections was done and a winner is yet to be announced. GECOM must step up to the plate and take control now and defuse the present unsure and volatile environment we are now experiencing in Guyana. GECOM being the independent constitutional body must have the recount done in a timely manner and stop using the coronavirus as another excuse to delay the recount any further.
GECOM has no duty or obligation to seek guidance or clarity or permission from the COVID-19 TASK FOrce. Guyanese, we must have a resolution to this election. While the political uncertainty combined with the coronavirus threat is creating hardship for all, the failure to settle the election issues, compounded by the global coronavirus pandemic has impacted not only our lives but the global economy. Guyanese citizens, we must support a transparent process of verification of the votes cast in all regions that will establish mature governance of our country for the present and future generations. A PPP/C victory will rebound to a good business climate in the country which will secure a better livelihood which will be good for all Guyanese and Guyana.
All we are asking for is a government to respect our constitution and the will of all Guyanese citizens to choose a President of there choice. It is the duty of every Guyanese citizen who has our country at heart to stand up and speak out. Let your voices be heard.
Sincerely,
David Adams
