By Caribbean News Global contributor
GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Chairman of Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) retired Justice Claudette Singh and the six Commissioners met for over three hours Monday but were unable to declare the results of the national vote recount in favour of the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) winning by 15, 416 votes, adjourned the meeting to Tuesday at 10:00 am.
According to the legal order for the recount, GECOM has to determine whether to ask the chief elections officer to prepare a report from which it will make an official declaration. Once that report is received, the Commission has three days to declare the winner of the elections.
The CARICOM high-level team which served as the main scrutineer to independently assess and pronounce on the recount on Monday said the results of the recount were completely acceptable and that the results should be used to make a declaration.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland on Monday afternoon said that the results of the vote recount, which show the PPP as winning the elections, is “inescapable” and should be used to declare the results.
The following is a statement from the Commonwealth Secretary-General:
“I welcome the report of the CARICOM Observer Team to the Recount of the Guyana 2 March 2020 elections and commend them for their brave and selfless service.
“The CARICOM Observer report is clear that the recount results are completely acceptable and that nothing that the CARICOM Observers witnessed warrants a challenge to the inescapable conclusion that the recount results are acceptable and should constitute the basis of the declaration of the results of the 2 March elections.
“President Granger and the Leader of the Opposition demonstrated commendable leadership when they agreed to the recount and committed to respect and adhere to the recount results. This continued leadership and commitment is needed now more than ever. The people of Guyana have been patient and deserve finality as determined by the recount results.
“I also wish to thank Senior Commonwealth Adviser, Dr Afari-Gyan, who remains faithful, steadfast and resilient in his professional and experienced support to the Guyana Elections Commission.
“The Commonwealth continues to stand with Guyana and urge the leaders and the people of Guyana to live up to the lofty aspirations set out in your constitution, your electoral laws, and the Commonwealth Charter.”
