Dear Editor,
The public has witnessed and shown extreme concerns over the unbelievable, duplicitous and irrational actions of the APNU/AFC since the Granger-led cabal was woefully exposed and held unaccountable by a keen and potent PPP/C Opposition. It seems as though Mr Granger was schooled in ‘Timbuktu’, or he could not otherwise seriously contemplate the acceptance of his party’s perpetuated fallacies at home or abroad. Ever since Mr Granger’s team argued 65/2 = 34, the nation should have been aware that the foolhardy nature or intent of this person, requires judgement from George Orwell’s Animal Farm.
It was the sustained militancy of the vibrant Bharrat Jagdeo-led Opposition and other stakeholders, which exposed the overwhelming, fault lines in a fractured Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). The cracks have now widened beyond the cover-up stages and it is no longer surprising that their spin-doctors have turned to desperate, shameless and flagrant attacks on observers representing the local and international community. The international response, however, has been swift, decisive and assertive. Individually and collectively, the responses emphasise and re-affirm that the time-stretching shenanigans characterised by a lack of rationality and extreme abuse of the court system, must end.
There is no doubt that the likes of the Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfied; Region No Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo along with others they commandeered, have all proved themselves a compromised shameless bunch whose actions defeats the constitutional autonomy granted to GECOM. Those found to be involved in this wanton attack on the State should not be allowed to get away with it. They must be made to face the strongest available sanctions! Were it not for the strong fearless pillars like Madam Roxane George upholding the Judicial arm of our democracy, our dear country would have long disintegrated into absolute anarchy.
Working on the inside, these compromised/planted agents of the PNC, have biasedly, practically created and extended every advantage at these elections in promoting the undercurrents advanced by the shameless PNC/APNU/AFC cabal. They have been relentless in their pursuit of power and would stop at nothing to achieve their sinister power-grabbing ideals. Although Chairwoman Justice retired Claudette Singh inherited this can of worms, she too in my view, has not exercised the level of assertiveness required in preventing the current day escalation the nation is experiencing.
Notwithstanding, it is very welcoming that GECOM Chairwoman Justice retired Claudette Singh has finally stood her ground in facing these daylight thieves, having committed to the High Court. More than a month has passed since the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections without a formal announcement of a winner, based on the recognised fraudulent declaration by Mr Mingo to account for every citizen’s vote in Region Four. The law is not an ass and GECOM Chairwoman demonstratively recognises this position. As such, she has finally moved to protect every citizen’s constitutional rights.
The recent decision of the GECOM Commission to recount all of the votes for each region was indeed driven by the decision of Chairwoman Justice retired Claudette Singh. It comes at the ire of many on the Government side, particularly those with personal agendas. GECOM will likely be overseeing these counts given the organisation’s legal mandate to effect these procedures. Notwithstanding, the certain lack of credibility through obvious fraudulent and non-transparent practices by senior GECOM administrative staff, has significantly diminished the confidence and trust that participating political parties outside of the Government, had in the organisation.
As such, this column supports the calls for the strongest presence of local and international observers, along with the publicly recorded and televised viewing of the counting process. The winner of these elections must be recognised publicly and internationally. It is of note that by the ABCE countries, OAS, Caricom, the Commonwealth, the European Union has already threatened exclusions and/or sanctions, if the non-credible Mingo approach utilised in Region Four, is used for swearing-in any President.
There is an emerged real threat in Guyana from the global COVID 19 pandemic, which necessitates an all hands on deck approach in addressing this matter in Guyana. The numbers of reported infected are increasing daily (23 at the time of writing), and there seems to be absolutely no comprehensive programme put forward by Mr Granger to address an effective national response.
Instead, he has treated it as a Cabinet responsibility and delegated control to Moses Nagamootoo and Volda Lawrence, to whom he refers as members of his Cabinet and Ministers of the Government. Mr Granger simply does not get it and wants the nation to accept a situation that is business as usual. For the records, there is currently no Cabinet nor Ministers, while the programme articulated by this cabal has been already met with massive public outcry. The Granger Ministers being non-medical personnel are determining who should be tested instead of the doctors.
In essence, the inherently clear power-grabbing attempt through a sickening undemocratic approach, the situation has exacerbated the level of self-created volatility which when coupled with possible sanctions, will ascertain Guyana’s swifter regression individually and collectively. It must be brought to an end now. There is no need to wait for any decision from the Court of Appeal, as the law is clear that GECOM has the power of procedure in the interest of fairness and transparency.
While it has been observed that GECOM officials are not serious about recounting the votes, and are antagonising, stressing and holding Guyanese to ransom, the ABC and EU countries, the OAS and other international organisations should start putting sanctions on these officials and other parties who are frustrating the process now. This will send a stern and clear message even as there is the certainty that Mr Granger recognises that he would only be a paper President for a diminishing APNU, continuously reacting to extremely volatile reactions at home and abroad if falsely sworn in.
Madam Claudette Singh, let us get on with it and close this matter over the upcoming week, as Guyana is deserving of better.
Sincerely,
Neil Kumar
