GECOM needs to ensure the return of The Carter Center

Dear Editor,
In a previous letter, I pointed out that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has a role in ensuring the return of the international Election Observer Missions (EOMs). With The Carter Center’s request to return to Guyana being rejected by the APNU/AFC coalition, it is important that this role is recognised.
Secondly, the coalition’s leader, David Granger, should not be allowed a free pass when he insists that his Government is not weaponising COVID-19 to block scrutiny of the National Recount by international EOMs. Using COVID-19 as an excuse is not acceptable to the majority of Guyanese, particularly when more than half a dozen flights, with persons from various countries, were allowed entry to Guyana in recent weeks.
While the return of the Caricom team is welcomed, the fact is that team consists of three people.
Why can’t members of The Carter Center or other international EOMs be asked to follow the guidelines that the Caricom team was asked to follow – that is ensure that they are medically cleared by undergoing WHO-approved PCR COVID-19 tests in their respective home country and once those results are negative they could be permitted entry to Guyana.
Also, it is worth repeating that the role of international EOMs in the National Recount was reflected five times in the May 4, 2020 Recount Order signed by the Chairperson of GECOM, Claudette Singh.
The Recount Order said: “…the recount process shall be conducted in the presence of representatives of political parties that contested the said elections and observed by international and local observers accredited by the Guyana Elections Commission and advisors to the Guyana Elections Commission.
“…the following persons are entitled to be present: representatives of political parties that contested the said elections, the Caricom scrutinising team, international and local observers accredited by the Guyana Elections Commission
“…the Statement of Recount shall be signed by the person conducting the recount and by the representative of each contesting party present, in the presence of the Caricom scrutinising team, representatives of political parties that contested the said elections, international and local observers accredited by the Guyana Elections Commission,
“…the tabulation of the Statements of Recount generated after the aforementioned action at paragraphs 6 and 7 will be done at a central tabulation centre in the presence of the Caricom scrutinising team, representatives of political parties that contested the said elections, international and local observers and advisors to the Guyana Elections Commission
“…the supervisor for tabulation shall ascertain and verify the entries therein and calculate totals for each column therein, in the presence of the Caricom scrutinising team, representatives of political parties that contested the said elections, international and local observers accredited by the Guyana Elections Commission.”
Finally, GECOM needs to explain why there was no follow-through on the commitment to re-engage the international Election Observer Missions, even though a role for them, as well as their importance, was reflected in the Recount Order.

Yours sincerely,
Nalinie Singh,
PPP/C national
candidate