PSC, FITUG call for peaceful transition of power

…tell Granger to respect Claudette Singh’s decision

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) and the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) have called on A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) for the peaceful transition of power following its defeat at the March 2, 2020 polls.

The two stakeholder bodies welcomed the decision by Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairperson, Retired Justice Claudette Singh to utilise the numbers emanating from the recently- concluded national recount.
The PSC said it was gratified that democracy has prevailed and that the people’s voice has been heard, acknowledged and protected by the Constitution which governs Guyana. It also extended congratulations to People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Presidential Candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali, who was on the path to the presidency.

“The Private Sector Commission calls upon de facto President David Granger and Leader of APNU/AFC to recognise the decision of the Chairman of GECOM as promised by him and to publicly concede to the results of the elections. The Private Sector Commission calls upon the PPP/C, the APNU/AFC and all of the contesting political parties to ensure that their respective supporters recognise and accept the results of the elections and remain calm, peaceful and, now, join hands together to collectively meet the enormous economic, political and COVID-19 challenges to move our country forward,” the PSC said.

Meanwhile, FITUG said it has long held out that the results produced by the recount were the only credible basis to decide the victor and, therefore, the GECOM decision was most appropriate. It noted that it was looking forward to the completion of the final report by Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, in keeping with the timeframe outlined by the Commission’s Chair.
That report is scheduled to be submitted no later than 13:00h today.
The Federation said it expected soon a swearing-in of the PPP/C Presidential Candidate, Dr Ali. It added that it has seen baseless contentions by APNU/AFC and urged the coalition to not to seek to obstruct the will of the Guyanese people any further and to facilitate a smooth and unfettered transition of Government.
FITUG said the prolonged election imbroglio wore very thinly on the Guyanese people’s patience, especially in the context of the public health, social and economic challenges the nation was facing presently. Though the process was long, the people’s victory to secure and protect our democracy was upheld.
FITUG also commended Justice Singh for upholding the law and ultimately protecting democracy.

The results, which constitute data generated from the 2339 Statements of Recount (SoRs) and subsequent tabulation certificate show that the PPP/C won the March 2 General Election with 233,336 votes cast in its favour. The APNU/AFC secured 217,920 votes. For the new parties, the numbers are as follows: A New and United Guyana – 2313; Change Guyana – 1953; the Liberty and Justice Party – 2657; People’s Republic Party – 889; The Citizen’s Initiative – 680; The New Movement – 244; and the United Republican Party – 360.
In the Regional Elections, the PPP/C also won with 233,661 votes, while APNU/AFC secured 217,055 votes. Change Guyana – 2607; Fed-Up Party – 153, the Liberty and Justice Party – 2935; Organisation for the Victory of the People – 448; People’s Republic Party – 927; and the United Republican Party – 1369.
Justice Singh on Tuesday voted to use the results from the recently-concluded elections recount and have the PPP/C declared the winner of the 2020 General and Regional Elections. This decision was made on Tuesday afternoon, after a day of meeting between Singh and the six GECOM Commissioners. At one point during the Commission’s deliberations, APNU/AFC-appointed Commissioners Vincent Alexander, Charles Corbin and Desmond Trotman made a last-ditch attempt to have the entire elections scrapped. This, however, was defeated.