Opposition Leader suggests public recount if any disputes today

General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Bharrat Jagdeo has suggested that should there be any disputes during the verification process of the statements of polls (SoPs) from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) today, then there should be a public recounting process.

He made this comment to media operations on Wednesday evening following a meeting with a Caribbean Community (Caricom) delegation led by current Chair, Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley.
She, along with the Prime Ministers of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit; Grenada, Keith Mitchell; St Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, and Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Keith Rowley, are on a two-day visit to Guyana for engagements with various election stakeholders.
Jagdeo told reporters that during the meeting with the Caricom delegation, which also included Secretary-General of Caricom, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, he outlined his suggestion that should the need for a recount arise, then it must be an open, public process that is done before all stakeholders.
“We in the People’s Progressive Party, once the containers are secured, we prefer them brought to GECOM in a central location and secured by all the political parties, the observers, the GECOM staff and the Police, and that you should have a recount of all the boxes should there be a dispute. And… in the presence of the media, the international community, the diplomatic corps, Caricom (Caribbean Community), Guyanese – everyone, it should be televised and whatever the recount in those boxes, we will live with it,” the Opposition Leader noted.
Asked about the Caricom delegation’s response to his suggestion of them having a role in a possible recounting process, Jagdeo noted that it was taken into consideration.
According to Jagdeo, recounting is a vital remedy provided for in the laws. In fact, he noted that several of the Caricom leaders were baffled as to what is the “big deal” with doing a recount.
“I’ve heard expressions about what’s this big deal about refusing a recount when that is how you can settle this [controversy] and end it all. People, APNU supporters, as well as PPP supporters, can then see what actually took place and then our country will go forward… So, you can end it definitively by going back to the ballots and recounting it in front everyone,” Jagdeo contended.
Today, the Returning Officer for Region Four, Clairmont Mingo, is expected to complete the verification process of the district’s SoPs, following a court order handed down by acting Chief Justice Roxane George.
But Jagdeo expressed concerns over the integrity of the RO, who had previously issued a “fraudulent declaration” of the region’s results.
“Given that Mr Mingo was the one who made this declaration and I think know that happened to the chain of custody on the statements of poll, I’m very concerned, as would any Guyanese be… [We still haven’t found out] how is it that Volda Lawrence (Chairperson of the PNC – the largest party in the APNU fraction of the incumbent coalition administration) made the declaration for Region Four for GECOM,” he posited.
Nevertheless, the PPP/C General Secretary contended that he is “cautiously optimistic” that Caricom’s efforts here will work.
Attempts by media operatives to solicit a comment from members of the regional delegation after their meeting with the Opposition Leader and other PPP/C members including Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali and Prime Ministerial Candidate (retired) Brigadier Mark Phillips were largely futile.
Grenadian Prime Minister Keith Mitchell stated that “Progress is occurring… We’re getting some progress.” He added in response to Wednesday’s court ruling that “We’re happy how things are going”.
Prior to their meeting with the Opposition, the Caricom delegation met with a government delegation led by incumbent President David Granger.
A statement from the Ministry of the Presidency detailed that Prime Minister Mottley said the regional leaders have travelled to Guyana to find an amicable solution to the challenges facing the country’s leaders. She said it is undesirable to see the loss of life, injury, and damage to property.
“We are conscious that the Court has ruled and that the process [verification] has to be continued. We [Caribbean leaders] do not want to see the loss of life, damage to property or injuries,” PM Mottley was quoted saying with the full agreement of the other leaders.
Meanwhile, President Granger said he will continue to abide by the Constitution of Guyana, the ruling of the Supreme Court and the decision of the Guyana Elections Commission.
In addition, the regional leaders also met with leaders of the smaller political parties that contested the March 2 elections on Wednesday evening.
The Caricom delegation will have a press briefing this morning before ending their two-day trip.