Opposition Leader, Miners’ Union lambaste Granger’s decision to block Carter Center

Caretaker President David Granger’s decision to refuse The Carter Center permission to enter Guyana for the national election recount continues to face major backlash, with Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on Saturday reminding him that The Carter Center and International Republican Institute (IRI) are still accredited observers and should be allowed into Guyana.

Jagdeo made this pronouncement during a video broadcast press conference where he recalled that when The Carter Center asked to return, it was with the backing of the diplomatic community and powerful legislators in the United States.
“Now you know that The Carter Center and many other observers were accredited for the elections. Their accreditation did not expire. There’s a law governing the accreditation. The elections have not been completed as yet. So, they are fully, by law, entitled to be here and observe the elections,” he said.

He noted that the request from the Congressmen was bolstered by another bipartisan group of Senators, who also urged Granger to allow the return of The Carter Center or international observers. “So, this letter on behalf of Granger from Cummings, rejecting the request from the Executive Branch through the Ambassadors and also the Senators and the Congressmen,” Jagdeo said on Saturday.

Granger’s rejection

According to Jagdeo, if the President was really interested in enhancing the transparency of the process he would want as many observers as possible involved. Jagdeo called the President’s rejection of the observers unbelievable and also likened him to Roman Governor Pontius Pilate.
He noted that the President has similarly washed his hands of any role in the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), yet, denying The Carter Center permission to come is still affecting their work.
“He is like Pontius Pilate. All the wrongdoings, it’s not his doing. He has been respectful of the law and process and GECOM is independent. That has been his argument all along. In that letter, he departed from that position!” he said.
With just three Caribbean Community (Caricom) observers present, who have to canvas 10 and possibly more workstations during the recount, Jagdeo said that they need all the help they can get.
“Now we’re happy they’re here, we want to thank Caricom for sending them. But they’re not adequate. And Granger says he prefers them, so he doesn’t want others to come. That’s his first explanation. Well, this country doesn’t run on the basis of Granger’s preferences. It runs on the Constitution and laws of Guyana. These people were duly accredited, they have a right to be here. Not based on Granger’s preferences.”
He added that despite Granger saying he will not get involved in the election process, he has gotten directly involved now. “The second excuse is that they must respect his Government’s decision on the COVID pandemic. Now, how come Granger has been approving hundreds of people for the oil companies and he’s not concerned about them coming to Guyana, but he’s concerned about four observers from an observer group.”

Diplomats
A letter addressing the issue first surfaced last Monday, written on Granger’s behalf by caretaker Foreign Affairs Minister Karen Cummings. In the letter to United States (US) Ambassador Sarah Ann Lynch, The Carter Center was not only denied permission but the US was told to respect the closure of Guyana’s airspace due to COVID. After a week of criticisms and interventions from US Senators and Congressmen, Granger again shut the door on The Carter Center on Friday.
Meanwhile, British High Commissioner to Guyana, Gregory Quinn tweeted, “Five years ago today. When Carter Center, Commonwealth and the international community stood together to uphold the principles of democracy, good governance and the rule of law in Guyana. Exactly as we have been doing in 2020. And exactly as we always will do.”
Quinn’s statement came shortly after Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Lilian Chaterjee, questioned why the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration has barred The Carter Center from returning to Guyana to observe the ongoing recount exercise.
In a tweet on Friday night, the Canadian diplomat said “Guyana refused Carter Center, with ties to Guyana since 1990s, to return although they will comply with the same COVID-19 requirements as Caricom… GECOM invited (Carter Center Election Observer Mission) to return. Why doesn’t Govt want them back?” she added.

Union
Meanwhile, Granger’s rejection of The Carter Center has also drawn the ire of a Union, with National Mining Workers Union (NMWU) President Sherwyn Downer weighing in on the controversy on Saturday.
According to him, the President’s letter leaves more questions than answers; answers that the Government owes the people of Guyana. He pointed to the fact that The Carter Center has already indicated its willingness to abide by the COVID measures Caricom is complying with.
“The complete rejection of The Carter Center and IRI technical advisor for a third time to observe the ongoing national recount of votes cast on March 2 by President David Granger and his APNU/AFC alliance caretaker Government leaves more questions than answers and warrants a detailed explanation to the electorate and Guyanese people.”
“NMWU calls on the President to explain to the Guyanese people his true motive for rejecting the CC and IRI even after both observer missions have agreed to adhere to all requirements by the National COVID-19 Task Force.”
He was also of the view that while Caricom’s presence is appreciated, they could do with the assistance of more international observers. He noted that when all is said and done, ensuring that the recount is credible is what matters.