Dear Editor,
The Irfaan Ali-led PPP Govt is nearing the completion of its first year in office. As an objective observer and a concerned Guyanese who is not a member of any political party in Guyana, I would say to all Guyanese, regardless of race or political affiliation that they should never allow what happened in the aftermath of the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections to occur again. The March to August 2020 period was extremely tension filled, an incendiary national situation, a powder keg waiting to explode. Thankfully, international pressure eventually forced President Granger to capitulate. The perpetual trumpeting by the incumbent President “I will accept the results as declared by the GECOM Chair sounded (superficially) wonderful but the root of such “confidence” in the Chair conveys sinister underpinnings.
Everyone should put the country first and stand up for what is right and just. Sadly, many in high society simply analysed how the wind was blowing to choose their team. The people of Guyana, especially the youths who are 65 per cent of the population, must never again experience such political trauma. What transpired at the Ashmin building and at GECOM head office in March 2020 by the Returning Election Officer of Region Four and others was reprehensible, scandalous, outrageous, and borders on treason. It was a blatant attempt to steal the elections in order to remain in power. And those who perpetrate such vicious and thuggish acts and held the nation hostage for five months must face the full force of the law and should be banished from politics and society. So far, this exercise has revealed the snail-paced process of the PPP to pursue the course of justice.
For five months, Guyanese witnessed an election filled with trauma, falsehoods and threats of violence as the Government at the time tried to discredit the elections and overturn democracy in the country. In this period, a number of frivolous cases were filed in the courts and appeals were made all the way to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) but, as expected, they were all were dismissed or thrown out; credit to the sound judicial minds in Guyana and the CCJ. Every effort was made by the ruling party at the time to deny victory to the PPP. It failed. Guyana owes thanks to the overwhelming support from the ABC and EU countries, Caricom, the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the Commonwealth of Nations whose goal was to make sure that democracy prevailed in Guyana.
International observers and diplomats were appalled at the barefaced attempt to produce fake and artificial numbers in front of the world via social media and fabricated spreadsheets displayed on bedsheets. Threats, criticisms, and disparaging remarks were made to many including some of the justices in the country as well as both the Canadian and US ambassadors. The threats and terrorism of the coalition eventually proved fictitious, baseless and can be construed as barefaced emotional outbursts.
The five months ordeal has disgraced citizens, stained the country, and damaged its reputation in the international community. The lesson learned is that overturning the election results in Guyana after the votes were cast and counted was not an easy task considering the impact of high technology and social media. It is time for everyone, including our politicians, not to dabble or be involved in such deceitful venture. Whether we believe it or not, Guyana has and continues to be a blessed land with its talented and skilled people at home and abroad and its abundance of raw materials and natural resources, especially its huge oil reserves. What happened in the five precarious months in 2020 must never be allowed to occur again in Guyana.
It would be most gratuitous if the PPP can acknowledge those persons (Freddie Kissoon comes readily to mind) who stood guard at the doors of democracy.
Sincerely,
Leyland Roopnaraine
New York
