US, UK, EU, Canada reject Region 4 unverified count

APNU/AFC rigging gambit

…call for GECOM to re-tabulate from SOPs
…businesses up in arms

After the controversial and unverified declaration of Region Four results without verifying the Statements of Poll on Thursday, the international community has united in rejecting the illegal declaration and urging the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to return to the statutory verification process.

This was communicated in a joint statement issued by British High Commissioner Gregory Quinn, United States Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch, Canadian High Commissioner Lilian Chatterjee and European Union Ambassador Fernando Ponz-Canto.
In their statement, the group noted that “based on our observation of today’s GECOM proceedings at their Region Four office and the fact that the full count was not completed, we question the credibility of the Region four results published by GECOM today”.

“We urge the Guyana Elections Commission and all relevant actors to expeditiously complete the tabulation on the basis of the statement of polls. We call on all Guyanese to remain calm and patient and for all leaders to exercise responsibility and restraint,” the envoys, representing the most powerful countries in the world, said.

Appalled
The western democracies’ sentiments were in sync with the local business community which insisted that the electoral process that undergirds democratic governance should not be subverted. One of the largest business conglomerate, the Beepat Group, vowed to close the largest mall in Guyana until GECOM resolves the counting issue in Region 4. The owner, Roy Beepat, called upon other businesses to follow his lead.

Meanwhile, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) made it clear that they are appalled at GECOM’s attempts to trample on the statutory process. The Commission also noted that GECOM’s actions are occurring under the watch of Chairperson Retired Justice Claudette Singh.
“The PSC is appalled at the blatant and deliberate attempts by GECOM to destroy our democracy by derailing the tabulation process of the 2020 elections results and attempts to subvert the will of the people. It is clear to all that the Chairman of GECOM is allowing without objection the attempts to perpetuate election fraud under her watch.”
“The tabulation process has certainly raised doubts about the integrity of the GECOM Chair, the Chief Elections Officer and some of their staffers. The threats to withdraw accreditation from the International Observers further erodes confidence in the process.”

The Commission urged GECOM to return to the verification process. It also urged President David Granger to step up and ensure that credible elections are held, lest Guyana falls under the international sanctions that come with being a pariah state.
“The PSC is calling on GECOM to recommence the verification of the remaining Statement of Polls for District 4 that will lead to a credible declaration of the results. The PSC is clear on the implications of not having a democratically-elected government.
“We cannot allow our country at this time to be isolated and sanctioned by the international community. We call upon President Granger to ensure that the electoral process is completed in accordance with the law.”
During an interview with this publication, PSC Chairman, retired Captain Gerry Gouveia, made clear the implications for if President Granger is elected through a rigged process. According to him, the international community could come down on Guyana “like a ton of bricks”.
“We have called on (GECOM) to return to the tabulation process. They must go back in and finish the tabulation process. Without that tabulation process, these elections will be nil, the President would be illegal and the government would not be a democratically elected government.”
“The international community would come down on our country like a ton of bricks. If these elections are not endorsed by the international community, Guyana as a country will face enormous challenges internationally,” Gouveia also said.