Only GECOM authorised to declare elections results – PPP/C

…condemns APNU/AFC for irresponsible statements

Maintaining that only the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) can declare results from Monday’s General and Regional Elections, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has condemned the APNU/AFC for indicating to the public that the coalition will return to office.
On Tuesday morning, the incumbent coalition issued a statement imploring Guyanese, especially its supporters, to remain calm. It added that GECOM must be allowed to do its work await the official announcement. But in the same vein, the party said: “All of our internal projections are positive and indicate that we will be returned to Government for a second term to continue the work of building and developing Guyana”.
This statement, according to the PPP/C, is misleading to the people of Guyana.
“One worrying paragraph in the coalition’s statement is where it claims that projections are positive for a second term in office. We urge Guyanese not to be misled. As is characteristic of the coalition, while appealing for calm, it is attempting to mislead our people” a missive from the PPP/C stated.
The Opposition party pointed out that only the elections body can give the results of Monday’s polls.
“The People’s Progressive Party reiterates that GECOM is the only authority to declare, officially, the results of the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections and we urge patience as the Elections Commission finalises its work… The Party urges Guyanese to not be misled by the APNU/AFC coalition on the matter of official Election results,” the Party added.
The PPP/C contended that this action should be condemned, noting that only on Monday’s Election Day, Leader of the Coalition, David Granger, had indicated that GECOM is the only “authority” to officially and formally declare the results of Monday’s polls – yet today the coalition has made its own declaration.
To this end, the PPP/C said it has informed the international Election Observer Missions here in Guyana about this matter and will remain engaged with stakeholders.
In the meantime, the party is cognizant that GECOM’s verification is being done in the presence of several international and local election observer teams. To this end, it urged persons to remain calm and patient until the official declaration of results from the elections body.
“The Party also believes that Guyanese must remain calm and go about their business in a peaceful manner as GECOM finalises the official results via its verification process,” the PPP/C said.