Int’l observers lament continued lack of transparency

The international electoral observer missions in Guyana have reiterated concerns over the continued lack of transparency in the tabulation process of the Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) elections result.
In a joint statement on Friday, the Commonwealth, European Union (EU) and The Carter Center said that they are all deeply concerned about the continued lack of transparency in the ascertainment of results for Region Four.
According to the observer missions, not only was the March 11, 2020 order of the acting Chief Justice, Roxane George, not followed but the tabulation process also did not resume at 11:00h on March 12 as was mandated by the court.
They went on to say that when the tabulation process resumed on March 13, it was not in line with the judgement, which required public tabulation as a safeguard and a measure for promoting transparency and accountability. In fact, the overseas missions pointed out that the Chief Justice even had to reassert on Friday that the actual Statements of Poll (SoPs) have to be displayed in this process.
“The orders issued with the judgement should be complied with, and the tabulation process conducted and concluded accordingly. Unless and until this is done in Region Four, the election results cannot be considered credible,” the observer missions noted.
Further, the international election observation missions encouraged all stakeholders to use all available means to conclude the ongoing electoral process in a transparent manner.
They, once again, urged all political parties to adhere to the codes of conduct they signed and to do their utmost to ensure that a peaceful environment is maintained.
Guyana’s ongoing electoral process, which has been embroiled in controversy regarding the tabulation of the Region Four results, has already seen the Organisation of American States (OAS) Electoral Observation Mission (EOM) withdrawing from observing the local electoral process since the ascertainment methodology being used does not meet the required standard of fairness and transparency.
Only last Friday, the four international observer missions had called on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) – including the Chairperson, (ret’d) Justice Claudette Singh; the Commissioners; the Chief Election Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield; the Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, and Deputy Returning Officers – to commit to establishing the results for Region Four in accordance with the law.
“The tabulation of results for the election in Region Four was interrupted and remains incomplete. The law requires that tabulation must be conducted in the presence of party agents and observers… Until this occurs, the result of these elections cannot be credibly declared,” the four overseas missions had stated last week.