Head of the Organisation of American States’ (OAS) electoral observer mission to Guyana, Bruce Golding, has testified before the OAS Permanent Council that because of the actions of a few, Guyana has failed the litmus test of democracy.
Golding, a former Prime Minister of Jamaica, made it clear that the people of Guyana are not to be blamed for the current electoral crisis in Guyana. In fact, he commended the people of Guyana for their patience over the past four months.
However, Golding noted that the litmus test of any democracy is the peaceful transition of government.
According to him, a handful of people are refusing to respect the will of the people, which shows that the People’s Progressive Party Civic has won the March 2 polls.
When one considers the many obstacles thrown up by conspirators which include officials at the Guyana Election Commission (GECOM) and persons in the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC), Golding made it clear that Guyana gets an ‘F grade’ as a democracy.
During his presentation, Golding chronicled all the events from the March 2 polls to the present situation in Guyana – where the APNU/AFC will be appealing a clear decision of the Chief Justice (ag), Roxane George, that the certified recount results must be used for the declaration of the winner of the elections.
According to Golding, once the people wishes are clearly stated, they must be upheld.
