Dear Editor,
Like most Guyanese here and in the diaspora – and, in fact, others in the interested global community — we waited with bated breath for the decision of the Chairperson of GECOM regarding the “recount” of the votes for the March 02 elections. Alas, when her decision became public, depending on which side of the democratic divide one stands, there was shock and disappointment on one side, and celebration on the other.
The first group was hoping that urgency for the finalisation of this matter would have been recognised by the chairperson, and her decision would have been based thereon. However, that was not realised, as the lady once again showed her true colours and shamelessly identified which camp she was comfortably “at home” with.
By referring to, and by implication allowing, Moses Nagamootoo to give his opinion as representing the COVID-19 Task Force, it is to me as obvious as night follows day that this is ANOTHER well-thought-out “plan” to further delay the duration of the recount.
I am willing to wager, at any odds, that Nagamootoo would respond that there should be THREE counting stations, which would bring us right back to the one hundred and fifty-six days proposed by the now discredited CEO.
This position is further confirmed by the Chairperson not saying, “Not less than ten stations”, but instead saying, “Not more than ten”, which leaves the door open to have any number from ONE to TEN.
Why couldn’t she make a compromise between the proposals of the PPP and the PNC and arrive at around FIFTEEN stations? Wouldn’t that have been a more reasonable decision, instead of agreeing almost entirely to the PNC’s proposals, quoting security concerns and saying that all counting must be done in the building?
Why couldn’t other venues be considered? Isn’t Queen’s College capable of accommodating at least another TEN counting stations? And ALL inside the building?
I can name other venues that could have been utilised, but what’s the use? The geniuses in the GECOM Secretariat, aided by four members of the Commission, know much better than anyone else. Only those blinded by greed and fear would not want to concede the inevitable: that the coalition lost the elections, and intend to bully their way to remain in Government.
Isn’t a final decision being dependent on Nagamootoo’s response a conflict of interest? Isn’t it obvious to ALL that he and his comrades want to cling on to power as long as the rope allows them?
Isn’t this coinciding with the propaganda blitz (to spread misinformation) being attempted with the hiring of a lobbying group in Washington?
Interestingly, there is now a “bizarre twist”, as reported by News Room, and now obviously confusion in the camp, as Harmon and Granger have issued contradictory positions on this controversial matter.
In the meantime, the CDC has suspended its distribution of relief to a few vulnerable persons in some communities. My information is that the PPP/C has been continuously distributing essential food items in neglected areas far more than the Government’s half-hearted efforts.
The true results of the elections must be declared immediately, so that the new Government can, in a non-discriminatory manner, address the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated suffering of the people of Guyana.
My opinion is that sanctions threatened must begin to be imposed IMMEDIATELY on individuals involved in attempting to deny the Guyanese people their right to have a government of their choice. Only then would those who continue to administer the affairs of this country recognise the seriousness of their undemocratic actions.
