Cynicism in relation to elections in Guyana did not begin with the debate as to whether the majority of 65 is 33 or 34 in relation to the no confidence motion passed against the APNU+AFC Government by the National Assembly on December 21, 2018. It began since mid-2017 when President Granger rejected three lists of names submitted by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo for President Granger to choose one as Chair of GECOM, in accordance with the Constitution. The President’s unilateral appointment of 84-year old retired Justice James Patterson as Chair, created the impression among many that efforts would be made to manipulate the electoral process.
Continue reading “THE CLOUDS ON THE HORIZON”‘HE WHO ASSERTS MUST PROVE’
While the political atmosphere is still heavily laden with gloom, it was somewhat lifted by President Granger statement that the Government will accept ‘any declaration’ made by GECOM pursuant to the recount. This was followed by a statement by the Chair of GECOM that ‘he who asserts must prove.’ President Granger’s statement contrast sharply with those by Government/APNU+AFC officials doubting GECOM legal capacity to issue a declaration on the recount. A suggestion by a member that GECOM that must investigate the allegations that dead and migrated persons have voted in the elections cannot be taken seriously. But the statements have only partially mitigated the concerns.
Continue reading “‘HE WHO ASSERTS MUST PROVE’”SINGING FROM THE SAME HYMN BOOK – TO WHAT END?
As the week ended, a clear strategy by APNU+AFC appears to be emerging. Trash the elections! From Joe Harmon’s extensive statement early in the week, to interviews by Lennox Craig and David Patterson at midweek, then a press conference by Amna Ally, Cathy Hughes and Aubrey Norton, all singing from the same hymn book – the elections were rigged by the PPP. The question is: To what end?
Continue reading “SINGING FROM THE SAME HYMN BOOK – TO WHAT END?”GECOM HIJACKED THE RECOUNT AND CONVERTED IT INTO AN AUDIT
The President and Leader of the Opposition agreed on a recount. In their Aide Memoire, the word “recount” appears four times while the word “audit” does not appear. “Recount” was never defined, but the Aide Memoire stated that it would take place in accordance with “the applicable law,” as well as the Constitution and court decisions. It could only have meant the Representation of the Peoples Act (the Act) which is the only existing, applicable, law for a recount. There is nothing to suggest that when the leaders signed the Aide Memoire that they meant anything other than the recount process provided for by the Act.
Continue reading “GECOM HIJACKED THE RECOUNT AND CONVERTED IT INTO AN AUDIT”OPEN LETTER TO THE CARICOM OBSERVER TEAM
Dear Distinguished Caricom Observer Team: Messrs Cynthia Barrow-Giles, John Jarvis and Sylvester King.
Continue reading “OPEN LETTER TO THE CARICOM OBSERVER TEAM”