GECOM says it’s ready to deliver fair, transparent & credible elections

…PPP has never and will not stoke instability, divisiveness – Jagdeo

With General and Regional Elections due later this year, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has reassured stakeholders that it is ready to deliver free, fair, transparent and credible elections to the Guyanese electorate.

In a statement on Thursday, the electoral body said “GECOM takes this opportunity to assure all stakeholders that it will deliver free, fair, transparent and credible elections and that they should guard against persons whose sole intention is to undermine their trust and confidence in the Commission.”
The Commission’s missive came on the heels of attempts by certain quarters to tarnish the integrity of the Commission and key management staff who have been placed there following the 2020 polls.
At the last elections held on March 2, 2020 in Guyana, there were blatant attempts by the then A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government to derail the results, causing a five-month impasse that saw election results being declared until August 2, 2020.
Since then, several GECOM officials have been charged and placed before the court for those events. Those matters are still pending in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
However, in the face of these attempts by Opposition elements, the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration has already declared its confidence in GECOM to deliver credible elections, which are likely to be held in November of this year.
At his weekly press conference on Thursday, PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo dismissed the attacks on GECOM as “nonsense”, stating that these elements were trying to undermine the credibility of GECOM.
In fact, Jagdeo recently held a meeting with key stakeholders from the Private Sector Commission (PSC), who reaffirmed their support for a free, fair, transparent, and timely electoral process which they contended are integral to Guyana’s democratic integrity and socio-economic stability.
In this vein, the PPP General Secretary made it clear that his party would not be responsible for fuelling any instability during the upcoming electoral period. He further reminded that his party has a track record of always supporting free and fair elections – something which they intend to campaign on at the upcoming polls.
“They expressed concerns about instability and how instability could affect their well-being and the people who work with them. And I pointed out that they should have no concerns about the PPP stoking any instability or any violence surrounding the elections… We don’t want anyone to do what the PPP wants, we want GECOM to act lawfully and in accordance with the Constitution of Guyana.”
“But we want elections on time. We want GECOM to act in an open, transparent, lawful manner. We want all the citizens of this country to have the right to choose their governments freely in a secure environment and we – at least in the PPP – intend to campaign on our track record and the fulfilment of our promises, not dividing people as the others want to do,” he related.
According to Jagdeo, who is also the Vice President of the country, he also assured the business community of Government’s commitment to providing adequate security during this usually tense period.
“The Government is also going to address the question of security robustly, to ensure the people of this country can exercise their constitutional right to select a government freely and fairly in a manner that will not lead them to be intimidated or causing violence to suppress their votes,” he stated.
Meanwhile, following Wednesday’s meeting with the VP, the Private Sector body – which was one of the local observers that stood up against the rigging attempts at the 2020 elections – reiterated its unwavering commitment to safeguarding Guyana’s democratic process.
“Free, fair, and transparent elections are pivotal to the nation’s stability, economic progress, and the preservation of citizens’ constitutional rights. The PSC stands ready to engage with all stakeholders to ensure the integrity and inclusivity of the electoral process,” the Commission said in a Thursday missive.
It further added, “The Commission calls on GECOM, political parties, civil society and the international community to uphold their responsibilities in fostering a secure and credible electoral environment. The PSC remains resolute in its efforts to facilitate dialogue and provide support that ensures the election accurately represents the people’s will.”
Jagdeo on Thursday, in response to concerns of polarisation, pointed out that contrary to the Opposition’s actions, his Government has been working tirelessly to bring Guyanese people together.
“We’re the only multi-ethnic party in this country… because there was a fear that the divisive rhetoric will cause polarisation as we get closer to the elections and I assured people we have no interest in that. We’re trying to bring people together… and our plans are for all of Guyana.” (G8)