Dear Editor,
Please permit me space to highlight some possible fraudulent issues which may arise during the days of the highly anticipated recount/election 2020 audit.
I have little to no trust in the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) as an organisation and also, more specifically, the “trained”, handpicked staff they have selected to conduct the recount of our sacred ballots.
Having highlighted this, I would like to publically advocate for a few additional security measures. They are as follows:
1. Each day before the recount commences, I would appreciate if the Commissioners conduct a check on all counting stations, leisure rooms, restrooms, security hut and any other part of the building they see fit to examine for stashed ballots.
2. Each day before the respective party’s counting agents and GECOM’s handpicked staff enter the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC), I would like for them to be appropriately patted down by two security professionals and have all bags, pockets, satchels, device cases etc examined before they step into the compound of the ACCC. Every time an individual leaves the compound (this should be highly limited to a specific amount of time) and reenters, this security process must be conducted on them.
In addition to these security measures which might not have been considered, I will reiterate my position on having the entire process of the recount live-streamed with additional cameras at each station. I ask for additional cameras since I anticipate some sort of confusion with intentions to distract other counting agents so that their sticky fingers can work.
To the counting agents of the new parties and opposing party, they will try to intimidate you but do not fall for it. Walk away from any sort of confrontation since they can use that confrontation to restart or not carry on a recount. Also, you will not be replaced if they put you out of the compound, therefore, that team you were on will have an extra load which decreases their ability to focus on fraudulent acts. GECOM had boasted about their code of conduct but they fail to enforce it when it was most needed. I plead with GECOM to have those codes of conduct and penalties printed and taped on the desk of each counting stations.
I may sound somewhat paranoid but I’d prefer to be called paranoid than feel insecure and cheated upon. As Martin Carter puts it, “This is the dark times my love…”, therefore let us be vigilant as counting agents and let us hold our head high as Guyanese.
For Guyana with love,
Dr Josh Kanhai
