Recount process is like a strainer, filled with holes

Dear Editor,
Elections are pivotal to the quality of a country’s governance, and can either greatly advance or retard a country’s long-term democratic development; as well as development of a country’s — like our dear Guyana’s — regional, and global foreign policy priorities.
The most fundamental principle defining credible elections is that they must reflect the free expression of the will of the people. To achieve this, elections should be transparent, inclusive, and accountable, and there must be equitable opportunities to compete in the elections.
These broad principles are buttressed by several electoral process-related obligations as well as by a number of key rights and freedoms, each of which is derive from public international law. The electoral cycle approach depicts elections as a continuous, integrated process
The caretaker Government must uphold democratic principles and standards for our elections. GECOM, over the past two months, has not shown the level of commitment and capacities in order to promote electoral integrity in these areas: election administration; political party support; parliamentary strengthening; civil society engagement, including citizen election observation; encouraging and supporting international observation throughout Guyana’s 2020 electoral system.
GECOM is constitutionally obliged to act with impartiality and fairness in the execution of its duties, but we have seen efforts being made by GECOM to undermine electoral democracy with the attempted fraudulent use of the SOPs. There is a lack of local and international confidence in the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to run off this recount. GECOM, already lacking credibility from the controversies that surrounded the tabulation of District 4 votes, had raised concerns that the Secretariat has been infiltrated by the APNU-AFC.
GECOM has failed to adhere to statutory procedures; it had received criticisms from every agency, including the courts and the people of Guyana, who must not have to endure the dangers caused by GECOM Commissioners and the Chief Elections Officer when they don’t follow the Constitution and the law of Guyana. The GECOM Chairman was greatly appreciative of the Carter Center and the International Republic Institute, and indicated in April that they were both welcome back in Guyana for the recount in the interest of reinforcing a transparent and credible conclusion to Guyana’s 2020 Elections.
These international observers are an integral part of our democratic process, and also reinforce the credibility of the electoral process and the recount in general. The Carter Center is a longstanding partner and a friend of the Guyanese people. It has been important for bolstering the process for a credible recount.
Why does the caretaker Government not want the observers here? Do they have something to hide and fear the Carter Center team will unearth it? there is a coordinated attempt by the PNCR to derail this recount. loopholes will be created by GECOM, since the SORs (statements of recount) will not be sent to the Tabulation Center until the district is completely counted. We must keep a watchful eye on it.
As we were originally led to believe, and made to understand: that once one district is completed, the recount will be taken to the Tabulation Center to be able to provide immediate data, this process is not transparent, it’s like a strainer filled with holes.
The ballots boxes are not being counted in sequential order, causing some political parties to believe that there is an attempt to derail the recount process, especially for District Four.

Sincerely,
David Adams