The Giftland Group of Companies has announced its intention of closing the facility in wake of recent incidents involving the General and Regional Elections process.
This comes in light of a series of events which unfolded at the Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) operations site on Hadfield and High Streets involving the verification of Statement of Polls since Tuesday evening.
The Giftland Mall
In a statement, Giftland Mall indicated that all services will be at a standstill until the “rule of law” is followed. This includes international practices and protocols surrounding the elections results. Further, companies in Guyana were urged to follow suit.
The mall comprises of several attractions and small businesses which can be affected with the absent sales.
“The Giftland Group of Companies wish to state that unless all internationally accepted elections practices in relation to the lawful procedures of voter results are strictly followed and accepted by the International Observers following the submitted SOPs, that we will close the Giftland Mall and all services until such time as the laws of the country are abided with, we will also urge all other businesses to do the same until such time as the rule of law is followed,” Giftland indicated.
While their business operations will be halted, schools have recorded low turnouts as persons await the announcement of the results.
Just Wednesday, it was reported that the attendance at schools is at its minimum. Guyana Times visited several schools across the city and the presence of students was significantly low as parents and guardians remain in heightened fear of post-election issues.
Speaking with this publication, Principal of the St Joseph High School, Nathran Raghubensi, confirmed that the turnout was low as he stated, “Our attendance as of today (Wednesday) is very poor, and it is due to the elections result that is not yet out,” he said.
Meanwhile, students of Houston Secondary on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) were sent home early because of the tense atmosphere in the city over the verification of Statements of Polls.
When contacted, Education Ministry Public Relations Officer (PRO) Murtland Haley seemed very much surprised to have heard that students were sent home.
“I am not aware that any schools were closed or students were sent home, so I can’t comment to say why. We will be investigating that,” he said.
Meanwhile, in the commercial zone around Georgetown, employees of the few businesses that opened told this publication that they were sent home early from work as a result of the tension over the results declaration.
On Tuesday, the city of Georgetown was reduced to almost a ghost town as the country awaits the official declaration of results by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).
Though Tuesday was not a holiday, businesses remained closed as the commercial district was at a standstill.
When this publication visited several parts of the business hub, a few persons were seen walking in the desolate streets. Meanwhile, at the Private Sector Commission’s press conference, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission Gerry Gouveia advised that persons be patient and wait on the official declaration of results by GECOM.
