“Very important for Carter Center to be here” – Ali

…absence a devastating blow to democracy – mine workers

The presence of the Carter Center at the ongoing National Recount is very important, Presidential Candidate of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Dr Irfaan Ali, has said as he expressed optimism at the possibility of the observer group being able to return at some point of the recount process.

Speaking at the Arthur Chung Convention Center on Wednesday, on the sidelines of the National Recount, Ali bemoaned the absence of the observer group that had been denied entry into Guyana by the Moses Nagamootoo and Joseph Harmon-led COVID-19 Task Force.
“I think it was very important for the Carter Center to be here,” the PPP/C Presidential Candidate stressed, noting that the Party has been pushing for their return, but to no avail.

While he is pleased that other observer missions, including the Caricom team, the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the European Union (EU), have been able to participate, Ali expressed hope that at some point before what is anticipated to be a 25-day recount concludes, the Carter Center Observers will be able to return.
The absence of the notable Carter Center Elections Observer Group is as a result of denial of their request to travel to Guyana to complete the observer mission which they began in March. Since departing on March 20 due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic and harassment by APNU/AFC supporters, the democracy watchdog group have continued to express their desire to see the electoral process through to the end. However, this objective was hampered by denial of their travel request by the COVID- 19 Task Force.
On Monday, the Center had deployed a member of its team to Miami to travel to Georgetown for the purpose of observing the National Recount, but the individual was unsuccessful in joining the flight due to denial of clearance from Guyana’s officials for him to travel. The Center have noted that they continued to reach out to Guyana Government officials to understand what is required to allow their team to return to Guyana to observe the recount process. Despite these hindrances, the Center reiterated their commitment to providing an independent assessment of Guyana’s electoral process, including the recount.

Devastating blow

Their absence has not gone unnoticed, with the National Mine Workers’ Union of Guyana (NMWUG) dubbing it a “devastating blow to democracy.” President of the NMWUG, Sherwyn Downer, in a letter to the editor on Wednesday, posited that there is still time for the situation to be remedied and for the observers to return to Guyana.
“The absence of the internationally recognised and reputable elections observer mission, the Carter Center, to observe the National Recount which commenced today (Wednesday) is a devastating blow to democracy, and the darkest day for democracy in Guyana,” he stated.
The Union, he added, remains hopeful that the COVID-19 Task Force and the Foreign Affairs Ministry would reconsider their position and allow the Observer Mission to come to Guyana. Downer emphasised, “It is still not too late to ensure the necessary clearance is granted for the team to travel,” as he called on civil society, trade unions and religious organisations to voice their concerns over this developing situation “which does not augur well for the image of Guyana.”
Downer went on to say that, “As President of the above mentioned organisation, I wish to remind all stakeholders that Guyanese expect that the National Recount will be credible, and only on this basis a Government should be sworn in. My hope also is that whichever government is in power, they will govern in the best interest of everyone.” He remains hopeful and anxiously awaits the arrival of the Carter Center.