Uncertainty, threats of sanctions worrying business community – Linden Chamber

…wants to preserve observer status for elections recount

President of the Linden Chamber of Industry Commerce and Development (LCICD), Victor Fernandes said the Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) business community is concerned over the uncertainty that hangs over Guyana, along with threats of sanctions from the international community, a result of the discredited results of Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) in the March 2, General and Regional Elections.
Fernandes on Tuesday reiterated that the Chamber maintains its observer status as part of the electoral process.
Adumbrating the Chamber’s position, Fernandes reminded that GECOM is the legally bound body to govern elections in the country, however, “we must accept that GECOM like any other Commission or agency in Guyana exhibits some deficiencies in carrying out its mandate.”
The business representative body has since called on the Commission to “focus on the urgent completion to the 2020 General and Regional Elections.”
The Commission is scheduled to meet today at 11:00h at which time Commissioners are expected to be presented with a draft plan for a national recount by the entity’s Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield.
That decision was taken on Monday last when the Commission met to discuss the modalities of the recount.
Speaking to the matter of observers for the recount, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Commissioner Sase Gunraj at the time told media operatives “I have no doubt in short order an approach will be made to the Caricom Secretary General with a view of re-engaging that team.”
Government-nominated Commissioner Vincent Alexander had reminded that the idea is to have the bloc of nations involved in the process since they can give credibility and validation to the process being set about by GECOM.