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1st July – 31st July Foreign Statements

1st July – 31st July Foreign Statements

1st July – 31st July Foreign Statements

Op-Ed: A President Biden will undoubtedly support legitimate election results in Guyana

Jul 29, 2020

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See below an Op-Ed written by Jonathan Slade – a Democratic partner in the Cormac Group, a bipartisan government relations firm in Washington, DC:

As a Democrat who supports Joe Biden’s candidacy, and who has been active on foreign policy issues for decades, I feel obliged to inform the people of Guyana that the Democratic Party has always strongly championed democracy and human rights.

I do this because apparently some unauthorized individuals in Georgetown or Washington are pretending to speak for Vice President Biden, with no regard to his long history of support for free elections and the alternation of power.

From Jimmy Carter to Bill Clinton to Barack Obama, Democratic Presidents have always supported free elections and a peaceful transition when an opposition party receives the majority of the votes cast. If Joe Biden wins the US election in November, he will undoubtedly carry on this tradition.

Vice President Biden stated last July in a speech that if he’s elected, he will “revitalize our national commitment to advancing human rights and democracy around the world.” And in an article published a few months ago, he said that in his first year, he will host a Global Summit for Democracy to “strengthen democratic institutions.”

The refusal of the Granger Government to concede the loss, and peacefully hand over power, is disturbing to Americans, whether Democrats or Republicans. In reaction to a similar situation next door to Guyana, in Venezuela, Democrats in the US Congress have joined with their Republican colleagues in rejecting the Maduro regime’s fraudulent elections and recognizing Juan Guaidó as the legitimate President of Venezuela.

Most Senate and House Democrats have supported the successive Bush, Obama, and Trump Administration injunctions on Venezuela, including the revocation of visas and oil sanctions.

The Granger Government’s attempted power grab in Guyana is not that different from how the Maduro regime acted in Venezuela. The Granger Government’s legitimacy has been questioned since it did not call for speedy elections after it lost a vote of confidence back in late 2018. Disregarding the Guyanese Constitution, Granger’s political party scheduled the election for more than a year.

After massive pressure, Granger’s party was forced to retract its self-declared victory, since most observers declared it had lost. Yielding to domestic and foreign pressure, the ruling party agreed to a recount.

International observers were appalled it took over two months to work out the details of the recount. Even more concerning, international observers were deeply disappointed that the Granger Government allowed only Caricom back into the country to observe the recount and refused others, like the well-respected Carter Center.

When the long overdue recount finally occurred, most Washington policymakers and International observers were shocked that once again Granger and his party refused to accept defeat. Along with well-respected regional and international organizations such as CARICOM and OAS, key Democratic policymakers called for the Granger Government to abide by the findings of the recount and concede power.

Granger-appointed Keith Lowenfield’s attempt to disqualify 115,000 votes from the legitimate recount, without any explanation, is one of the most outrageous attempts to undermine elections ever seen in the non-communist world.

The Democrats who joined their Republican colleagues in calling on Granger and his party to respect the outcome of the elections were some of the most influential Members of Congress on foreign policy issues.

Members who wrote letters in support of recognizing the results of the recount include Senator Bob Menendez, the Ranking Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee; Senator Tim Kaine, who was the Democratic Vice Presidential nominee in 2016; Congressman Gregory Meeks who is the likely the next Democratic Chair of the House Foreign Affairs committee; and Congressman Albio Sires, who is the Chair of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee.

To quote these two latter Democratic leaders, “We condemn all efforts to undermine the credibility of the March 2nd election, including recent actions taken by the Chief Elections Officer to effectively disenfranchise thousands of voters and manipulate the vote count.”

In addition, over ten members of the Congressional Black Caucus wrote letters or sponsored resolutions calling on both major Guyanese political parties to respect the outcome of the March election. So far only one of those two parties has respected the outcome.

If Biden wins the November election and the Granger Government is still grasping to power, there will be no basis for the new US administration to reverse the sanctions on Guyana put in place by the Trump Administration. There is no doubt in my mind that a new President Biden will follow in the footsteps of his Democratic predecessors and support the outcome of the election in Guyana of March 2020, as ratified by the recount of June.

The people of Guyana should not be fooled by a political cabal illegally clinging to power. Whether Trump or Biden wins in November, the US sanctions in Guyana will stay in place unless the legitimate winner of the March elections is acknowledged and allowed to form a new Government.

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India urges early conclusion to elections impasse, hopes outcome is respected by all parties

Jul 25, 2020

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See below a full statement issued by India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava:

Official Spokesperson’s response to media queries regarding election impasse in Guyana

July 25, 2020

India has been closely following developments of the General and Regional elections held on March 2, 2020.

It has been more than four months since the elections in Guyana and the results are still awaited. As a time-tested friend of Guyana, India looks forward to the early conclusion of the electoral process in the interest of democracy in Guyana.

India further hopes that the outcome of the election is respected by all parties.

New Delhi

July 25, 2020

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European Union urges GECOM to ‘rapidly’ declare recount results

Jul 22, 2020

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The spokesperson for the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Chief on Wednesday urged that the Guyana Elections Commission “rapidly” issues a declaration “based on the credible results of the recount certified by the Caribbean Community, ensuring respect for the will of the people of Guyana, in line with the ruling by the Caribbean Court of Justice.”

Four and a half months after the general and regional elections, President David Granger has refused to concede defeat though his Coalition lost the elections by over 24,000 votes.

In a statement, Nabila Massrali, spokesperson for Josef Borrell, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, which carries out the Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, said the recent “clear ruling by the Caribbean Court of Justice now provides a solid foundation for a peaceful and democratic solution to Guyana’s post-electoral crisis.”

The spokesperson added: “We expect all Guyanese leaders and stakeholders to support such a declaration to conclude this long overdue democratic process. Only then can a legitimate Government be sworn in, which is urgent and essential for the country.”

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Colombia says Guyanese have a ‘basic right’ to have a declaration of election results

Jul 22, 2020

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Colombia has urged that there be a declaration of the results of the March 02 elections, saying that further delay could damage the country’s democratic systems and put it at odds with the Inter-American Charter, which if violated, puts Guyana in the line for sanctions.

“The citizens have a basic right when they take part in elections, which is to know the results in a transparent manner without delays…,” said Alejandro Ordóñez Maldonado, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Colombia to the Organisation of American States (OAS).

The Ambassador was speaking at a special meeting of the OAS Permanent Council to discuss the political crisis in Guyana. Given what is taking place in Guyana, the meeting needed to be called.

He said the western hemisphere faces enormous challenges, such as COVID-19, but these challenges could be faced better “if our democratic institutions are solid and well protected.”

However, Moldonado said if these institutions are weak, then it would be difficult to find solutions to the problems.

“Which is why we cannot be indifferent to the facts of what is happening in Guyana after the elections,” he stated.

He noted the statement of the OAS on June 23. In that statement, the OAS said the elections have been reviewed repeatedly and extensively by both national and regional courts and while the OAS General Secretariat advocates for the right of all citizens to access electoral justice, there is a fine line between the right to redress and the use of the courts to stall the electoral process.

“It is undeniable that this election has gone on long enough. The process in Guyana must be brought to an end, based on the results of the national recount, and with respect for the will of the majority of the electorate,” the OAS had stated.

Ambassador Moldonado said noted Colombia’s historic position that democracy, security, and human rights are a means to bolster development and that is why it will urge member states to stick to their responsibility to uphold the Inter-American Democratic Charter.

The Charter states that “the peoples of the Americas have a right to democracy and their governments have an obligation to promote and defend it” and that “democracy is essential for the social, political, and economic development of the peoples of the Americas.”

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Brazil says cannot just stand by as Guyana breaks from democratic principles

Jul 22, 2020

Fernando Simas Magalhães, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Brazil to the Organisation of American States (OAS).

Brazil, Guyana’s powerful neighbour to the south, has said there must be a swift announcement of the results from the national vote recount so that Guyana can re-join democratic countries that are committed to “the most lofty principles of democracy.”

“…we cannot stand by while there is a break from democratic principles that we all committed to,” said Fernando Simas Magalhães, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Brazil to the Organisation of American States (OAS).

Ambassador Magalhães noted that this year is the eve of the 20th year of the adoption of the Inter-American Charter, which Guyana subscribes to.

According to the Inter-American Charter of the OAS, an unconstitutional interruption of the democratic order in a member state, constitutes, while it persists, an insurmountable obstacle to its government’s participation in sessions of the General Assembly, the Meeting of Consultation, the Councils of the Organization, the specialized conferences, the commissions, working groups, and other bodies of the Organization. Suspension from the OAS could eventually follow.

Ambassador Magalhães was speaking Tuesday at a special meeting of the Permanent Council of the OAS to address what he called “the very worrisome electoral situation in Guyana.”

He said there is no impediment for the results of the election not to be released.

“…at such a delicate time, it is important for the legitimate will of the popular vote be upheld, in line with rulings of the CCJ, to ensure the swift announcement of the new authorities in the country,” he stated.

“This needs to happen as soon as possible for Guyana to re-join democratic countries that are committed to the most lofty principles of democracy,” Ambassador Magalhães stated.

After the very serious observations made by the OAS Electoral Observation Mission on May 13 that there was an attempt to use fictitious numbers to declare APNU+AFC the winner of the elections when they in fact lost by over 24,000 votes, the Brazil Ambassador said it was “very important” and “appropriate” that the meeting of the OAS Permanent Council was called.

He said that Brazil believes that a further delay in declaring the results of the recount “would jeopardise the stability of Guyana.”

The Brazilian Government endorsed the appeal made by the OAS and CARICOM that the electoral process not be delayed further.

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Canada says will work with partners to demand swift end to elections

Jul 22, 2020

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Canada’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Organisation of American States (OAS) on Tuesday said Canada will work with its partners and use all tools available to demand a swift end to the elections in Guyana.

A recount of all votes cast in the March 02 elections show that President David Granger’s Coalition APNU+AFC lost the elections by over 24,000 votes but he refuses to concede defeat and step aside to allow the swearing in of the PPP’s Dr Irfaan Ali.

“Canada is committed to working with partners at the OAS and will consider using all tools at our disposal to demand a swift and transparent conclusion to the election process and who accountable those who prevent it,” Ambassador Hugh Adsett said in an address to the OAS Permanent Council.

He said Canada strongly regrets the extended delay in declaring the results of the elections which were held on March 02.

The Ambassador noted that Canada has issued several statements, including joint statements with other members of the international community to advocate for the transparent and credible conclusion of the electoral process.

“In the interest of the democratic rights of the people of Guyana, and in light of the obligation of governments to promote and defend democracy as set out in the Inter-American Democratic Charter, Canada firmly maintains that the rule of law and democratic process must be respected and a declaration be announced without further delay,” Ambassador Adsett stated.

He said Canada supports calls by the OAS, CARICOM, the Commonwealth and civil society organisations to announce the results based on the national recount, as validated by the AOS and CARICOM observer missions and upheld by the Caribbean Court of Justice and again Monday by the Chief Justice in dismissing the latest challenge of the recount results.

Misenga Jones, an agent for Granger’s Coalition has moved to appeal a clear High Court decision which upheld the recount as valid and said the Chief Elections Officer must abide by the direction he is given to prepare a report in keeping with the results from the recount so a declaration of the winner of the elections can be made.

Figures from the recount, which were live-streamed, show that the PPP won the elections with 233,336 votes. APNU+AFC secured 217,920 votes. Together the other parties secured 9,096 votes.

It means therefore that APNU+AFC lost the elections by a combined total of 24, 512 votes.

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CARICOM again denies Guyana’s claim of interference in elections

Jul 22, 2020

Representative of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Lou-Anne Gaylene Gilchrist

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has again refuted claims by the de facto Government of President David Granger that CARICOM and other international Governments and organisations are interfering in Guyana’s internal affairs.

During a special meeting of the Permanent Council of the Organisation of American States (OAS) on Tuesday, St Vincent’s Ambassador Lou-Anne Gaylene Gilchrist, who spoke on behalf of other CARICOM states, said that all CARICOM is doing is fulfilling the requirements of the agreement that all members states, including Guyana, signed.

CARICOM and rest of the international community have been calling for the results of the national vote recount be declared.

The recount shows that Granger’s APNU+AFC lost the seat of Government.  But the President has refused to step aside. In repeated moves to the court, agents of his Coalition APNU+AFC are seeking to bury the recount and have a fraudulent tabulation used so Granger and his Government can stay in power.

Ambassador Gilchrist said CARICOM has been monitoring with concern the political tension in Guyana and noted that both the former chair and the current chair of CARICOM have called for a declaration based on the national recount.

The Ambassador’s statement followed that of Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Karen Cummings who said the international community should “not seek to influence unduly the constitutional and legal processes which are currently ongoing in Guyana.”

Ambassador Gilchrist noted that CARICOM was invited to play a role in the elections when a dispute arose over the tabulation process. That dispute arose when District Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo used an unlawful process to tabulate the figures on the Statements of Poll from each of the polling stations in his District.

It was clear that he had inflated figures for the APNU+AFC to guarantee it victory after it became obvious that it would be impossible for them to win the elections when declarations were made in the nine other electoral districts.

Ambassador Gilchrist noted that the CARICOM team scrutinised the recount of all votes and it was on that basis that former Chair Mia Mottley and current Chair Dr Ralph Gonsalves have called for a declaration based on the recount.

Guyana’s Foreign Minister, speaking at the very OAS meeting, called the work of the CARICOM team a “fallacy” saying that they had only observed 18% of the recount. The CARICOM team had concluded that the recount results are completely acceptable and should constitute the basis of the declaration of the results of the March 2 elections.

In playing a role in Guyana’s elections, Ambassador Gilchrist said CARICOM is doing no more than carrying out the requirements of the Charter of Civil Society which was agreed to by all member states on February 19, 1997.

That Charter, at Article VI under the heading Political Rights, states: “The States shall ensure the existence of a fair and open democratic system through the holding of free elections at reasonable intervals, by secret ballot, underpinned by an electoral system in which all can have confidence and which will ensure the free expression of the will of the people in the choice of their representatives.”

Ambassador Gilchrist noted therefore that CARICOM’s role is not interference in the domestic affairs of a foreign country, it is participation in community affairs, which is the essence of the revised CARICOM treaty and the Charter of Civil Society.

“We in CARICOM underscore that in our concerted efforts to assist Guyana, our willingness to help resides in our desire to reach a peaceful solution and not to widen the current division.

“We urge the relevant authorities in Guyana and all stakeholders to respect the rule of law…,” Ambassador Gilchrist stated.

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In bizarre twist, Foreign Minister calls CARICOM recount report a ‘fallacy’

Jul 22, 2020

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Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Karen Cummings in a bizarre defence of the Government’s campaign to bury the national vote recount to the Organisation of American States (OAS) on Tuesday described the report produced by a high-level team from CARICOM as a “fallacy; even more bizarre, she said the team did not stay to the conclusion.

Further, she told the members of the OAS, which includes the United States, Canada and Brazil, to “keep Guyana in your prayers.”

The Minister was invited to speak at a special meeting convened by the Permanent Council of the OAS.

The OAS has said the only solution to the electoral crisis is for the results of the recount, supervised by the CARICOM high-level team, to be respected. That would put David Granger, Cummings and the rest of the APNU+AFC out of office.

The world’s leading organisations including the OAS, the Commonwealth, and CARICOM, and the country’s leading development partners – the United Kingdom and the European Union – have urged that the CARICOM supervised recount be used to declare the winner of the elections.

But the Coalition, backed by Granger, doesn’t want the recount results to be used; they want the report prepared by the Chief Elections Officer, which included votes fraudulently tabulated to be used. That would give them victory instead of the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

After multiple speeches by representatives of various Governments, including St Vincent’s Permanent Ambassador to the OAS, who represented CARICOM, Dr Cummings persisted in discrediting the CARICOM supervised recount and the report of the High-Level team.

“…in our estimation it was not a representative sample and the end of it all they said it is reasonably credible.

“I don’t know…it’s either something is credible or not credible,” she stated in an incoherent statement.

“…they didn’t stay to the conclusion so it’s really unfair to make such a general – it’s a fallacy – a generalisation of a process which they haven’t concluded,” the Foreign Affairs Minister continued.

Just before that, she wanted former Attorney General Anil Nandlall to withdraw statements in which he said President Granger was behind the actions to dismantle the recount which he agreed to.

The Chair of the meeting did not prompt Nandlall to apologise and he offered none.

“There is no breakdown in law and order in Guyana,” Dr Cummings told the meeting. But then she took a swipe at the international community.

“Guyana continues to remain a peaceful, law-abiding State and through this lengthy process, which has been guided by several constitutional provisions, the people of Guyana have remained patient calm and peaceful.

“The international community should therefore also be patient and not seek to influence unduly the constitutional and legal processes which are currently ongoing in Guyana,” she declared.

An agent for Granger’s Coalition has moved to appeal a clear High Court decision which upheld the recount as valid and said the Chief Elections Officer must abide by the direction he is given to prepare a report in keeping with the results from the recount so a declaration of the winner of the elections can be made.

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U.S. warns against Granger usurping power; Guyana would be an int’l outcast

Jul 21, 2020

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President David Granger, who was toppled in a No Confidence motion, took over a year to allow elections and now refuses to concede defeat, risks making Guyana an internal pariah, or outcast, the United States warned on Tuesday.

“In democracies, leaders step aside when they are voted out of office.

“That speaks to the importance and strength of institutions not individuals and to the power of the people not those who will usurp their power,” said Bradley A. Freden, Deputy Permanent Representative of the United States to the OAS.

His comments were later shared on Twitter by Michael Kozak, the United States Acting Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs who has repeatedly warned of the consequences if the results of the recount are not accepted.

The OAS Permanent Council Tuesday held a special meeting to discuss the electoral crisis in Guyana and Trujillo said the fact of the meeting underscores the severity of the problem in Guyana.

Freden acknowledged that both the OAS and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have determined that based on the national vote recount, the opposition PPP won the elections. But Granger and his APNU+AFC refuse to accept the results, launching several legal battles to stay in power, hoping for some form of technicality to get it sworn into office.

But the international community, including the United States which has already imposed visa restrictions, are not prepared to tolerate the defiance of the results.

Freden said the United States fully agrees with the conclusion of the OAS that the only democratic solution for Guyana at this time is to respect the results of the national recount. Trujillo said this is fully in keeping with Guyana’s commitment under the democratic charter of the OAS.

ANPU and its leaders face stark choices, Freden declared.

“Does Guyana want to be a leader in the hemisphere and an example of democracy or does it want to be an international pariah?

“Does Guyana want to have a functioning executive and legislature, so that it can pass the laws it needs to encourage the development of its people, or does it want to remain a country whose leaders cannot travel and are subject to sanctions?”

Freden said the United States has long had high hopes for Guyana.

“We believe it can and will leave behind its history of political strife and come together for the benefit of its people.

“It was, and hopefully still is, poised to become a regional democratic leader, and use its newfound resources to improve the welfare of its citizens,” he stated.

He described the 18 months since the passage of the No-Confidence motion against the Granger government as “chaos,” saying it “ushered in a period of political paralysis at a time when Guyanese leaders of all backgrounds could have come together to lay the foundation for a brighter more prosperous future.”

Freden noted that periods of political uncertainty are not uncommon in Parliamentary democracies and last year and this year, the United States was optimistic that Guyana would resolve its political stalemate promptly and democratically.

But then came the March 02 elections, he said, when international observers noted flagrant tabulation irregularities and unanimously agreed that there was no credible result.

He said it became clear to the international community that there are forces who first tried to prevent the recount and then repeatedly refused to accept the will of the people at the ballot box.

Freden reminded of the consequences if Granger and his government continue to act in defiance of the recount, noting the determination of the international communities to impose sanctions on Guyana.

“It is not too late for Guyana.

“We call on its leadership to honour the results of the democratic elections…,” Freden stated.

He said once this is done it would be time for the country’s leaders to develop inclusive systems of governance for the country.

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Democracy being denied in Guyana – Sir Ronald Sanders tell OAS

Jul 21, 2020

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Sir Ronald Sanders, Antigua and Barbuda’s Permanent Representative to the Organisation of American States (OAS), Tuesday said democracy must be defended in Guyana and called on the Permanent Council to review the “troubling situation in Guyana” and the matter should be returned for “action” if it becomes necessary. He was addressing a special meeting of the Permanent Council to discuss the electoral crisis in Guyana.

See full statement below made by Antigua and Barbuda’s Permanent Representative to the OAS Sir Ronald Sanders. 

Mr. Chairman,

My delegation recalls that, consistent with the Inter-American Democratic Charter to which all our countries are signatories, “the peoples of the Americas have a right to democracy and their governments have an obligation to promote and defend it.”

Yet today is 141 days since general and regional elections were held in Guyana on March 2nd . Four and a half long months have passed and still there is no election result. In the meantime, four other Caribbean countries have held elections and elected governments have assumed office peacefully.

Mr. Chairman, being entered into the Guinness Book of Records is usually for a remarkably deserving event. However, Guyana has now been inscribed in its pages for the unworthy event of having achieved the longest delay, in the world’s history, between an election and the declaration of a result.

Democracy is not being served. Nor is the people of Guyana’s right to democracy being served. And Democracy delayed is democracy denied.

Since March 2nd, the Guyanese nation has been subject to one deliberate delay after another that has dragged out this process, testing the patience of a tolerant international community and tempting protests and civil unrest within Guyana.

It will be recalled that CARICOM was invited by the parties in Guyana to play a role in the elections shortly after disputes arose over the tabulation of the March 2nd ballots. The invitation was extended jointly by the President of Guyana and the Leader of the Opposition with the agreement of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). There was good reason for this invitation to be issued and accepted.

Repeatedly, CARICOM governments, including Guyana’s, have expressed, through various public instruments, “their commitment to democracy and popular participation”, and they have “pledged to work together to maintain and strengthen the institutions and processes essential to democratic government”, including “respect for the will of the people, as expressed through free and fair elections on a regular basis”.

In playing a role in Guyana’s elections, CARICOM did no more than carry out the requirements of the CARICOM Treaty, by which, in its preamble, every CARICOM government accepted all the various agreements, including a Charter of Civil Society which the Conference of Heads of Government adopted on 19th February 1997.

At Article VI, of that Charter, under the heading, “Political Rights”, it is declared that: “The States shall ensure the existence of a fair and open democratic system through the holding of free elections at reasonable intervals, by secret ballot, underpinned by an electoral system in which all can have confidence and which will ensure the free expression of the will of the people in the choice of their representatives”.

In this regard, CARICOM sent a team to Guyana, with the agreement of the parties and the Elections Commission, to scrutinize a national recount of the ballots of March 2nd. This process was also observed by representatives of the OAS.

The national recount that was certified by each of the supervisors of each of the regions in Guyana, showed that the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic had won the election.

But despite, the best efforts of CARICOM, utilizing all its institutions, including the final Appellate Court, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), one party has persistently delayed acceptance of the result and frustrated a democratic and peaceful end to this matter.

And it is not as if an aggrieved party does not have recourse if it can establish that allegations of elections regularities are valid. There is an elections Court to which such allegations can be taken for judgement after the elections result.

The former Chair of CARICOM, Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados, after months of CARICOM trying its best to bring about a democratic solution to the elections impasse, stated: “Regrettably we have seen a level of gamesmanship that has left much to be desired and has definitely not portrayed our Caribbean region in the best light. This is definitely NOT our finest hour and we MUST NOT shy away from that reality”.

Yesterday, in a third round of Court hearings on this matter, the Chief Justice of Guyana, Justice Roxane George, dismissed yet another case brought by representatives of the APNUAFC political party. In particular, she ruled that the case, seeking to block GECOM from declaring the winner of the elections using the recount results, was “hopelessly flawed”.

It should be noted that the issues, raised in the case, had already been the subject of extensive hearings and judgement by the final Appeal Court, the Caribbean Court of Justice. The current Chair of CARICOM, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, the Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, has described the judgment of the Court “as lucid in every material particular”, making the point that “as Guyana’s highest, and final, appellate court, it is authoritative”.

In her ruling yesterday, the Chief Justice stated quite firmly that: “There must be finality to judicial decisions. Myriad persons cannot be permitted to engage the court with multiple applications regarding the same issue which has been decided, and shield behind the claim that they were not a party to the previous proceedings. To so permit would be to waste precious judicial time and resources. In short order – this cannot be allowed”.

She noted that the issues raised in the application were “res judicata” in that they were already heard and determined in previous judgments of higher courts.

Yet, the representatives of APNU-AFC have filed, today, another appeal against the judgement of the Chief Justice. This new appeal and its consequences could take until September 1st before the full cycle of hearings and judgements end.

By that time elections will have been held and a government elected in a fifth Caribbean country, Trinidad, and Tobago, on August 10th.

Democracy is being delayed; Democracy is being denied.

It should be noted that GECOM has not been able to declare a result of the elections precisely because supporters of APNU-AFC are encouraged to take the matter to the courts again and again and again. Were this not so, GECOM could have made the declaration long ago.

Mr Chairman, the role played by the OAS in this matter has been exemplary. Secretary-General Luis Almagro responded to the Guyana invitation to observe the Guyana elections, and kept the Mission there long after every other Observer Mission had left.

Further, the Secretary-General maintained an Observation mission in Guyana throughout the national recount of the votes scrutinized by CARCOM – a total of 34 days. Displaying tolerance, restraint and care, the Secretary-General allowed CARICOM to take the lead, providing support where necessary. But, eventually, as every genuine effort has been made and ignored, and against the reality of growing impatience by the international community and within Guyana itself, Mr. Almagro declared that: “The peoples of the Americas have a right to democracy and their governments have an obligation to promote and defend it. It is past time that the current leaders of Guyana comply with their democratic responsibilities and allow the newly elected government to take its place.”

And, that, Mr Chairman, is where this matter has now reached. Every member state of the OAS cares about Guyana, and its people. None of us takes a political side in this elections impasse.

Our only interest is in the preservation of democracy and the rule of law in Guyana. It is democracy that is now threatened with implications for the Caribbean region and our hemisphere.

It is democracy that we must defend and ensure is delivered. The troubling situation in Guyana should be kept under review and returned to this Council for action, should the Secretary-General.

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Basil Williams accused of misrepresentations, lies and fabrications at OAS meeting

Jul 21, 2020

basil

Guyana’s Attorney General on Tuesday resurrected his arguments which the High Court already called “hopelessly flawed” as he once again claimed that the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) had thrown out the legal order which provided for the national vote recount. This attracted a strong rebuke from former Attorney General Ani Nandlall who said Williams was continuing the government’s “misrepresentations, lies and fabrications” as President David Granger hides in the background while using his minions to “dismantle” the recount and its results.

Williams was speaking at a meeting of the Permanent Council of the Organisation of American States (OAS), which was called to discuss the electoral crisis in Guyana.

Williams claimed that the CCJ held that the legal order which allowed for the national vote recount was subsidiary legislation, “the lowest level of legislation in Guyana.” He then falsely claimed that the CCJ said the order was “in tension with the constitution and therefore it must go and it was invalid.”

He repeatedly pushed that argument, saying once that the CCJ “nullified” the recount order. Later, he said the CCJ “vitiated” the order.

Williams also wrong claimed that the CCJ said the recount order “cannot work and you must go back to original electoral machinery.” He said that is why the Chief Elections Officer,
Keith Lowenfield, ignored the results of the recount and used figures which were condemned as fraudulent.

“Again, he continues to spin a narrative that defies reality,” said Nandlall, adding that it is part of the ploy by President Granger’s APNU+AFC Coalition to rig the elections to remain in office.

“The narrative that he (Williams) is reciting is a narrative that is inconsistent with everything that every other person and every other organisation has observed and spoke about and wrote about” in relation to the elections, Nandlall stated.

The CCJ’s decision of July 09 on the recount is completely at odds with what Williams told the OAS. The CCJ did not throw out the recount but in fact validated it.

In the case brought by APNU+AFC supporter Eslyn David, the CCJ had pronounced that “unless and until an election court decides otherwise, the votes already counted by the recount process as valid votes are incapable of being declared invalid by any person or authority.”

Last Friday, in arguments before the High Court, the Attorney General argued that the recount order created a new regime which is in tension with Article 177(2)(b) and Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act which provides for the Chief Elections Officer to ascertain the elections result by calculating the total number of valid votes cast from the declarations of the returning officers.

He came to that conclusion based on his interpretation of the July 9 ruling of the CCJ. But it was only one day ago that Chief Justice Roxane George ruled that the Court of Appeal had already “definitively” concluded that the recount order was valid.

She further said that the interpretation of the CCJ decision by the Attorney General was “hopelessly flawed.”

“The CCJ judgment lends to the ineluctable conclusion that the recount votes are ex facie valid,” the Chief Justice ruled.

On June 16, The Chief Elections Officer was told to prepare a report based on the results of the national vote recount and to determine the number of Parliamentary seats for each party.
But he failed to do that when he presented a report on June 23 that was based on his own figures.

The CCJ discarded that report and said the lawful route for him was to comply with what he was told.

“It is for GECOM to ensure the CEO submits a report in accordance with its direction of June 16 in order to proceed along the path directed by the laws of Guyana,” President of the CCJ Justice Adrian Saunders stated in delivering the judgement of the Court on July 9.
So the CCJ was clear that to follow the law, Lowenfield must comply with the direction he was given.

The Court had urged that this be done without delay.

“It is for GECOM to ensure that the election results are swiftly declared in accordance with the Laws of Guyana,” Justice Saunders stated.

Williams maintained that the APNU+AFC has won the elections though the recount showed otherwise.

Nandlall said that immediately after agreeing to the recount, knowing his Coalition had lost the elections, the President went into hiding but began to use his minions to dismantle the agreement he committed to with the Opposition Leader and CARICOM.

He recounted that Granger’s three commissioners at GECOM did not give their consent to the recount decision and later the Coalition conspired with their candidate to stop the recount. But that did not work and the recount went ahead.

Nandlall noted that while President Granger continued to commit to the recount with platitudinous and sanctimonious expressions to be bound by it, his agents set out to derail the recount process by making unsubstantiated allegations of the names of dead persons and those not in the country voting. Some of these were raised by the APNU+AFC’s campaign manager Joseph Harmon in letters to GECOM.

The Chief Justice noted that the CCJ clearly considered the allegations made by Harmon as regards irregularities, voter impersonation and fraud and decided that these are questions meant for an elections petition after the results of the elections are declared.
And so the Chief Justice concluded that “far from nullifying (Order) 60 and the recount process…the CCJ explicitly endorsed it.”

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U.S. seeking arrest of Venezuela chief justice, offers reward for info

Jul 21, 2020

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions on Venezuelan Chief Justice Maikel Moreno and announced a $5 million reward for information leading to his arrest or conviction for allegedly participating in transnational organized crime.

In a statement, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the reward for information leading to the arrest or conviction of the chief justice of Venezuela’s supreme court was being offered through the State Department’s Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program.

The sanctions imposed on Moreno, an ally of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, bar him and his wife from traveling to the United States over accusations of his involvement in significant corruption.

In a statement, Moreno said Venezuela’s judiciary would not accept “tutelage” from a foreign government.

“This is not the first time that the mouthpieces of the North American empire seek to attack me with their clumsy attacks, full of manipulations and lies,” Moreno said.

The United States and dozens of other countries have recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela’s legitimate president, regarding Maduro’s 2018 re-election as a sham. But Maduro has remained in power, backed by the country’s military and by Russia, China and Cuba.

The United States charged Moreno in March with money laundering under a round of indictments against Maduro and more than a dozen other top Venezuelan officials on charges of “narco-terrorism” in an escalation of the Trump administration’s campaign aimed at ousting the socialist leader.

Pompeo on Tuesday said that in his position, Moreno “has personally received money or property bribes to influence the outcome of civil and criminal cases in Venezuela.”

The United States previously blacklisted Moreno and seven other members of Venezuela’s Supreme Court in 2017 as punishment for annulling the opposition-led Congress earlier that year, freezing his U.S. assets and generally prohibiting Americans from doing business with him.

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OAS says Guyana being held hostage, urges end to court trials seeking to block results

Jul 21, 2020

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Guyana is being held hostage by those who want to change the results of the March 02 elections, Luis Almagro, the Secretary-General of the powerful Organisation of American States (OAS) said on Tuesday, as the world again called on President David Granger to leave office and allow the swearing-in of Dr Irfaan Ali and the lawfully elected President.

“This needs to end. It is not serving the institutions, it is not serving the democracy, it is not serving President (David) Granger,” Almagro said as the Permanent Council of the OAS met to discuss the electoral crisis in Guyana; action against Guyana could be taken if the situation does not change.

Mr Almagro said the solution to the crisis lies in the acceptance of the results of the recount and the orderly, peaceful transition to the new government in accordance with the will of the people.

“This is a historic turning point for Guyana. Without a doubt this will define its future,” he declared.

Mr Almagro said it is a moment to find great leaders – those who can leave aside their specific interests and inter-party disputes in order to safeguard the system as a whole.

The meeting came as one of President Granger’s agent Misenga Jones filed an appeal to Monday’s High Court ruling that clearly validated the national vote recount and the results from it as the only basis upon which a declaration can be made. The case could go all the way to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Guyana’s final court of appeal, further prolonging the declaration.

President Granger’s party agents and supporters have repeatedly used the Court’s to block the declaration of the results of the recount which showed a win for Dr Ali’s PPP.

“I would request that the court not be resorted to anymore,” Mr Almagro stated, saying now is the time for the political leaders to save Guyana’s democracy.

Mr Almagro said the electoral crisis has persisted much too long and noted that the delay has been because there is an attempt to impede the majority decision of Guyanese who voted on March 2.

He said the voting was well organised and peaceful, but it was when Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo deviated from the lawful tabulation of the District Four votes that there was the “beginning of a chain of actions aimed at altering the results and confusing the citizenry.”

As a result of the manipulation of the process, the full OAS Observer team withdrew from the process. Mr Almagro said has happened only “once or twice” in the history of the OAS observing elections.

He said that when it because clear who the winner of the elections was, there was an attack on the credibility of the recount exercise with unfounded allegations.  Those unfounded allegations were made by agents of President Granger’s Coalition APNU+AFC.

But despite all that has happened, Almagro was clear that the world knows who won the March 02 elections.

“Today we know the results of the vote of March 2,” Almagro stated.

Almagro repeated an earlier statement by the OAS that those involved in undermining the democratic process be removed from the process.

There have been multiple calls for Chief Elections Officer to be fired after he repeatedly refused to comply with directions given to him by Justice Claudette Singh, to produce a report based on the recount so that there could be a declaration of the results.

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Political crisis, COVID-19 must pave way for new social contract on inclusion

Jul 19, 2020

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United Nations Resident Coordinator Mikiko Tanaka on Sunday said the ongoing political crisis in Guyana coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic must pave way for a new social contract premised on inclusion and cooperation.

“Here in Guyana, the dual C-19 and political crises must open way for a new social contract based on inclusion and cooperation,” Tanaka said in a tweet early Sunday.

Tanaka has made several statements on the elections impasse in Guyana calling for credible elections results which reflect the will of the people.

The UN Resident representative was on Sunday endorsing a speech from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres which he made at the annual lecture for the Nelson Mandela Foundation on Saturday. He pushed for “a New Social Contract & New Global Deal” based on equality and sustainability to respond to the COVID-19 crisis.

Guterres in his speech to honour Mandela explained that the New Social Contract, between Governments, people, civil society, business and others, must integrate employment, sustainable development and social protection, based on equal rights and opportunities for all.

“A New Social Contract within societies will enable young people to live in dignity; will ensure women have the same prospects and opportunities as men; and will protect the sick, the vulnerable, and minorities of all kinds,” he said.

The Secretary-General said, “Political leaders must raise their ambition, businesses must raise their sights, and people everywhere must raise their voices.”

“People want social and economic systems that work for everyone. They want their human rights and fundamental freedoms to be respected. They want a say in decisions that affect their lives,” the UN Leader added.

Guyanese went to the polls on March and the country’s first known case of COVID-19 was imported from New York and confirmed on March 11.

To date, there are 327 known cases but the electoral process is not yet completed making it difficult for a Government to put systems in place to help the most vulnerable.

Faced with several court cases, a national vote recount and protests, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is still to declare a winner of the elections.

Recount results have shown the Opposition People’s Progressive Party won the elections by 15,416 votes.

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Opinion: U.S. sanctions are real

Jul 19, 2020

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By José Cárdenas

That the United States government announced this week that it has begun imposing sanctions on Guyanese citizens engaging in anti-democratic behaviour should not have come as a surprise to anyone.

Indeed, top U.S. officials signalled as early as last March that such behaviour would have international consequences.

What is regrettable is the failure to heed those warnings, especially by a U.S.-based commentator who repeatedly but wrongly assured Guyanese audiences that the U.S. government had neither the authority nor the will to hold Guyanese officials accountable for their efforts to impede a final reckoning of the March 2 national election.

One wonders what comfort those erroneous assurances gave to those actors who are out to thwart the will of the Guyanese people.

Now that the U.S. has demonstrated the will and capacity to act to defend Guyanese democracy, those very same individuals would do well to understand that this week’s action is merely the tip of the iceberg as far as the authorities the U.S. government possesses to respond when democracy is threatened.

It is important to understand that the sanctions announced this week — the revocation of U.S. visas; that is, the ability to travel to the U.S. — were actions taken by the State Department under its own authorities.

Under section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, the Department can bar any foreign citizen (and their immediate family members) at any time for any reason from entering the U.S. They do not have to explain the reasons to anyone.

Because of privacy laws, however, the U.S. cannot disclose the names of individuals sanctioned, but the newly sanctioned will certainly know if they try to travel to the U.S. for business or pleasure. They will be unceremoniously turned away.

Other U.S. legislation gives other Departments and agencies of the U.S. government broader sanction authorities.

For example, the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act gives the U.S. Treasury Department broad powers to impose financial sanctions on persons determined, among other things, to be responsible for or complicit in, or to have directly or indirectly engaged in, certain human rights abuses or corrupt acts anywhere in the world.

Those are open to wide interpretation — on purpose.

For example, in 2018, the U.S. sanctioned (“designated”) the President of Nicaragua’s Supreme Electoral Council, Roberto Rivas Reyes, and his wife, for involvement in significant corruption and for perpetuating electoral fraud that undermined Nicaragua’s electoral institutions.

Such a “designation” by the U.S. Treasury means any and all economic assets the individual possesses in the U.S. are frozen — i.e., made inaccessible to the owner — and that individual is prohibited from any transaction that involves any contact with the U.S. banking system.

Essentially, it means the individual becomes an economic “non-person,” since even domestic banks and other institutions will shun the individual for fear of running afoul of U.S. sanctions, because of their connectivity to the U.S.

And these are just individual sanctions.

As has been demonstrated next door in Venezuela, the U.S. has wide-ranging authorities to respond to anti-democratic behavior by targeting whole sectors of any economy — for example, Venezuela’s oil sector.

One hopes Guyana never reaches that stage.

Now, given the electoral calendar in the U.S., some might want to believe that time is running out for the Trump administration, and that should Joe Biden win the election, sanctions will fade away with the passage of administrations.

But that would be foolhardy.

It is obvious to anyone paying attention is that there is no partisan divide in Washington on the need for a transparent, democratic resolution in Guyana. The many statements from the U.S. Congress backing CARICOM, the Organization of American States, and other international stakeholders have been clear.

In the U.S. Senate, we have seen the highest-ranking Democrat and Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, as well as the leading Democrat and Republican on the Western Hemisphere subcommittee, weigh in.

In the House of Representatives, the Democratic Chairman and Vice Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, as well as several members of the Congressional Black Caucus, all Democrats, have joined their Republican colleagues in supporting the calls for a declaration of results that favors the winner of the largest number of votes.

At a time of heightened partisanship in domestic U.S. politics, readers should note that there is no division regarding Guyana’s current impasse. To believe a change in presidential administrations will somehow entail a reversal of U.S. concern for democracy in Guyana is destructive wishful thinking.

There is still time to conclude Guyana’s recent electoral cycle without more collateral damage to the country. International friends of Guyanese democracy want to see the impasse resolved expeditiously and peacefully. However, those who have differing agendas must realize there are ever-more-serious consequences for their actions.

*José Cárdenas is a former U.S. official who had senior positions in both the U.S. Congress and Executive Branch, focusing on Latin America and the Caribbean. He is a government relations consultant in Washington.

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Coalition’s foreign lobbyist says sanctions will hurt ordinary Guyanese, keep investors out

Jul 18, 2020

Bart S. Fisher, one of the lawyers hired by the APNU AFC had worked with the Sudanese Government back in 2011 when that nation was sanctioned by the U.S.

The hope for a better life, which followed the discovery of oil in Guyana, could be shattered by the crippling nature of international sanctions if the APNU+AFC refuses to accept its March 2 electoral defeat.

This is according to U.S-based consultant Bart Fisher. His Washington-based lobbying firm JJ&B was hired by the Coalition to trump up its interest with U.S. officials and the media.

“The problem with the visa restrictions that were announced is at the end of the day it ends up hurting the man and the woman in the street; the [Guyanese] people.

“Why is that? Well, sanctions create a bad investment climate and that would deter investors from coming into Guyana.

“So I can’t imagine why the US would want to do that,” said Fisher, who was hired by the APNU+AFC in April on a monthly retainer of US$40,000.

The consultant shared this view on Wednesday during an interview with APNU+AFC activist Mark Benschop on Benschop Radio 107.1.

As an APNU+AFC agent moved to the High Court earlier this week to block a declaration based on certified results from the national recount, and instead have the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) issue that declaration based on fraudulent numbers, the U.S made good on its promise to impose sanctions.

In a statement, the government said it “regrets the decision taken by the United States Department of State.”

In March, Guyana’s international partners – including the U.S – had said that any individual or party which seeks to benefit from electoral fraud would be met with sanctions.

But even as the recount has shown that the APNU+AFC lost the elections by more than 15,000 votes to the PPP, the Coalition has consistently tried to have a declaration made showing that it has won those elections.

In response to these attempts at electoral fraud, the U.S initiated the first stage of its sanctions – visa restrictions – which target top ranking officials in government, the coalition, the judiciary, and party financiers.

But even though these sanctions are being imposed because of the actions of the APNU+AFC, and are initially targeting individuals associated with the party, ordinary citizens will also be negatively impacted, says the U.S-based consultant.

Agreeing with Fisher that sanctions, caused by the APNU+AFC, will indeed hurt ordinary Guyanese, was one of the party’s national candidate, Attorney-at-Law Amanza Walton-Desir.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) noted earlier this year that the poverty rate in Guyana stood at 41.2% in 2017 based on a poverty line of US$5.50 a day.

The IDB concluded that Guyana’s poverty rate exceed that of Latin America, which is one of the poorest regions in the world.

Both Canada and the United Kingdom (UK) have said that they too will apply similar sanctions if there is a continued attempt to thwart the will of the electorate.

Political scientists and experts have predicted that those sanctions could evolve into trade restrictions and assets being frozen in those countries.

As at June 11, 2020, a total of US$94, 921,803 was deposited into the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in a Natural Resource Fund account held by the Bank of Guyana. It represents the payment for the first two loads of oil Guyana was entitled to and royalties paid by ExxonMobil.

There is a great deal of uncertainty about whether Guyana would be able to access these funds should APNU+AFC’s David Granger be sworn in based on those figures that the international community has described as “fraudulent.”

A British court earlier this month had denied Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela access to US$1.8B being held in the Bank of England vault, since he is not recognized by the UK as the legitimate President of that country.

The 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the 35-member Organisation of American States (OAS), the 27-member European Union (EU), the 54-member Commonwealth, the ABC countries, Brazil, Norway, Nelson Mandela’s Elders Group, and local groups have issued individual calls for the declaration to be made in keeping with the certified results of the recount.

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Request for U.S. to use Guyana’s airwaves to transmit to Venezuela denied

Jul 18, 2020

Guyana: President David Granger “Guyana has long implemented legislative measures to ensure equitable access of women to the highest offices and to ensure that, at the level of the working class, women can enjoy equal wages for equal work. We seek to build a country in which women and girls can expect to live in safety, to be protected from abuse, such as trafficking in persons, domestic violence and workplace hazards. Guyana continues to make great strides towards achievement of the internationally agreed development goals and objectives relative to gender equality and empowerment of women, particularly in the areas of mainstreaming a gender perspective in policy development and programmes enhancing education and training opportunities for women and girls, [as well as] increasing the participation of women in leadership positions and decision-making circles. We wish to assert our full support for Goal number 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals.” World leaders convene at the United Nations on 27 September 2015 for the “Global Leaders’ Meeting on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment: A Commitment to Action” to personally commit to ending discrimination against women by 2030 and announce concrete and measurable actions to kick-start rapid change in their countries.  Read More: http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2015/9/press-release-global-leaders-meeting Read every country's committment from the event: http://beijing20.unwomen.org/en/step-it-up/commitments Photo: UN Women/Sarah Stacke

It has been revealed that the Government of Guyana in April turned down a request from the US Government to relay the Voice of America (VOA) radio broadcasts to Venezuela.

President David Granger in a comment to the media through his press unit said the request was refused so as not to further destabilise relations between the two neighbours.

He noted that “given the length of an unpoliced western border, the influx of refugees, the unsettled territorial question and the public health risks, it would not be in our national interest to do anything to contribute to destabilising relations at this time.”

The US Broadcasting Board of Governors requested the use of one of the four Medium Wave (MW) towers Guyana has registered – 560kHz.

They also asked whether Guyana would be open to issuing a license to VOA to put a new signal on MW, either on an existing allocated frequency or a new one and if so, whether the power can be increased to 50kW either on an existing frequency or a new one.

The US has in the past imposed severe sanctions on Venezuela’s President Nicholas Maduro and several Government officials for human rights abuses and other issues.

The US also recognises interim President Juan Guaido and considers the Venezuelan National Assembly, which he currently leads, to be the only legitimate federal institution, according to the Venezuelan Constitution.

According to local media reports, the US Government said was interested in broadcasting VOA in Venezuela so citizens can have access to uncensored news.

AT&T -the largest player in Venezuela’s pay TV market which was one of the last major American companies still operating in the crisis-wracked country, closed its operations there in May 2020.

The company said U.S. sanctions prohibit its DIRECTV platform from broadcasting channels that it is required to carry by the Maduro administration.

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OAS Permanent Council to meet on Guyana’s elections impasse on Tuesday

Jul 17, 2020

Chairman of the OAS, Luis Fernando Cordero Montoya

Ambassador Luis Fernando Cordero Montoya, Chair of the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) will on Tuesday, July 21 convene a special meeting on Guyana’s four-month-long electoral process.

In response to a request from Secretary-General of the OAS, Luis Almagro on July 13 to consider the state of the electoral process in Guyana, Montoya said the virtual meeting will be held at 14:30h.

The March 2 General and Regional Elections is the only item on the agenda for discussion.

Links will be provided to all delegations to participate in the meeting.

The OAS is made up of 35 member states. Guyana remains in limbo over four months after citizens voted at the polls and no winner has been declared.

A national vote recount supervised by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) revealed the Opposition People’s Progressive Party as the winner of the polls by over 15,000 votes but the incumbent APNU+AFC, led by Brigadier (rt’d) David Granger has refused to concede defeat.

The recount result is now being challenged in the High Court by a supporter of the incumbent APNU+AFC.

Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield was three times asked to submit a report based on the national vote recount but each time, he has doctored his report to show a win for the Coalition APNU+AFC.

The last of those reports include fraudulent numbers declared by the Returning Officer for District Four Clairmont Mingo.

As a result of Lowenfield’s brazen rebellion, political parties have mounted pressure on the chairman Justice Retired Claudette Singh to dismiss him with immediate effect.

The Organisation of American States (OAS) in one of its strongest statements yet on June 11, said there can be no justification for Lowenfield’s actions.

According to the OAS, this confirms that the Chief Elections Officer is acting in bad faith and contrary to the interest of democracy in Guyana.

The OAS made it clear that the only democratic solution for Guyana at this time is respect for the results of the national recount.

“No other figures – neither those prepared prior to the recount, nor those recently invalidated by the Caribbean Court of Justice, nor any others that may be unilaterally devised by the Chief Elections Officer – can have any place in the final determination of results,” the OAS said.

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U.S. visa sanctions ‘an arrow’ against those occupying the political crease –CARICOM Chair

Jul 17, 2020

CARICOM Chair, Ralph Gonsalves

The restrictions on visas by the United States (U.S) against those involved in undermining Guyana’s democracy is but the initial stage in a heavier assault which could follow.

“There is no room really for shenanigans. Everybody in the world is seeing that some clique is seeking to hijack the elections and hijack the country,” Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Chair of CARICOM, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves said on Thursday.

On Wednesday, U.S Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo announced that the State Department has imposed visa restrictions on top officials – which includes government Ministers and the hierarchy of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

According to Gonsalves, the visa restrictions could be just the beginning of what could follow.

“This (visa sanctions) might be just an arrow across the bow of those who are still in occupation at the political crease,” Dr. Gonsalves said during an interview on Jamaica’s The Edge 105FM with host Richie B.

The visa restrictions follows the APNU+AFC’s refusal to accept its defeat at the polls, as reflected in the national recount of votes. Those results show that the PPP has beaten the Coalition by more than 15,000 votes.

“It is for GECOM to declare the results. But every time there is a forward movement, there is always something trying to put a fly in the ointment,” the Vincentian PM said, in obvious reference to the Coalition’s multiple attempt, either by its Commissioners at GECOM or through court action, in preventing a declaration in keeping with the certified results of the recount.

It was just last week that the country’s final court, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), ruled that a declaration of the winner of the polls should be made from the figures produced by the recount.

But even this ruling the APNU+AFC sought to distort, by suggesting that the Court ruled that the recount could not have been legally executed since the Order under which it was operationalized was in conflict with the Country’s constitution.

But this was not the case, and Dr. Gonsalves recognized that.

“…the CCJ pronounced with clarity. I read the judgement over and over and the CCJ addressed, to my mind, all the issues.

“Unless you are the type of person (who would) look in the fields of St. Catherine and you see a brown cow grazing in the fields and you insist that it is not a cow, it’s a calf, and that it is not a brown cow, it’s a white cow with black spots.

“What do we do with some persons who do that?”

The PM, who played a crucial part in brokering a deal for a CARICOM team to scrutinize the recount, informed listeners that “all observers” are satisfied that what needs to be done is that the results needs to be declared in accordance with the recount.

He has more than once called on President David Granger to take his licks like a man.

“I am PM now since 2001.

“…if you come here (the official residence of the Prime Minister) any time before the polls open on Election Day, I will not have a toothbrush belonging to me in the official residence.

“Everything belonging to me I move out. On the night the results are declared, and declared that I am winning again, I move in back with my toothbrush and a suit to be sworn in.

“I can’t assume that I am going to be returned. The people might decide to kick my butt,” Gonsalves quipped.

There have been five attempts by senior officials of GECOM to hand the APNU+AFC a victory based on fraudulent numbers.

In March, Returning Officer (RO) for Region four, Clairmont Mingo, inflated numbers during the tabulation exercise to give the Coalition a victory on two occasions, but these were exposed.

This triggered a national recount of votes which, upon completion, showed that the PPP had 15,416 more votes than the Coalition.

However, the country’s Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield attempted to first invalidate over 275,000 votes, and in a second attempt, 115,000 votes – most of which belonged to the PPP – to give the Coalition victory.

After being given clear instructions to compile a final report based on the verified numbers from the national recount, Lowenfield then presented numbers which mirrored those of Mingo, again seeking to hand the coalition a victory.

But those numbers were immediately rejected and set aside by the Chair of GECOM, (rtd) Justice Claudette Singh, who, for a fourth time, instructed the CEO to compile his report in keeping with her earlier request and in compliance with an order from the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

Before this could be done, a supporter of the APNU+AFC moved to the High Court asking it to compel GECOM to make its declaration based on the fraudulent numbers and not on those certified during the recount.

The APNU+AFC had also mounted unsubstantiated allegations of electoral fraud, going as far as to call for the elections to be nullified – an act which only the High Court is legally empowered to do.

Gonsalves said those aggrieved must file an elections petition after the results are declared.

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State of Roraima in Brazil calls for swearing-in of Irfaan Ali

Jul 17, 2020

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The State Government of Roraima, the Brazilian state that borders Guyana, has called for the swift declaration of Irfaan Ali as President.

Roraima is the state where most Guyanese live and work and where most trade with Guyana and Brazilian businesses takes place. Its capital is Boa Vista, which houses a Guyanese consulate.

The State Government in a statement said it has been attentively following the elections and is especially concerned about “the lengthy period in which the democratically elected candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali, remains undeclared.”

“The instability caused by the actions that delay the announcement of the new President harms democracy itself and disrespects the will of the people,” the State Government said in a statement.

The State of Roraima said it sides with the Caribbean Court of Justice, the Organisation of American States, the European Union, the United States of America, the United Kingdom and Canada in asking that the final result of the election in promptly announced and the will of the Guyanese people is respected.

A national vote recount shows the PPP beat APNU+AFC by 15, 416 votes to win the March 02 elections.

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UK Gov’t says ‘consequences’ to flow if recount results not used

Jul 17, 2020

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Statement from UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab statement on the elections in Guyana which took place on March 2:

“It has been over 4 months since elections in Guyana – no electorate should have to wait that long for a result. The UK is disappointed by the ongoing attempts to frustrate the will of the people. The Caribbean Community scrutinised recount cleared the way to declare a legitimate result. That should now happen.

“Any government sworn in on the basis of non-credible results will face strong international condemnation and consequences – we have started the process of putting those consequences in place. The UK pays tribute to the patience displayed by the people of Guyana during this challenging time.”

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UK Gov’t official calls for elections results to be declared using recount figures

Jul 16, 2020

United Kingdom Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab

The United Kingdom (UK) has thrown its support behind its Western allies calling for the March 2 General and Regional Elections results to be declared based on the validated results procured from the national recount.

“It has been over 4 months since the people of #Guyana went to the polls – a result is still pending. The Elections Commission should declare on the basis of the @CARICOMorg scrutinized recount. Guyana deserves an election result that reflects the will of its people,” U.K Foreign Secretary and First Secretary of State, Dominic Raab tweeted on Thursday.

This call follows an announcement that the UK has activated the processes to impose sanctions on top Government and elections officials for undermining Guyana’s democracy, as pressure builds on President David Granger to concede defeat and allow the swearing-in of the PPP’s Dr Irfaan Ali.

On Wednesday the United States (U.S) announced that it would be revoking visas for those individuals in keeping with its promise to impose sanctions on anyone undermining this country’s democracy.

On the same day, Canada also issued a stern warning that it would use “all tools at our disposal” to hold accountable those who prevent a declaration of the recount results.

Those results, which have been validated, show that the PPP won the elections by more than 15,000 votes.

In late March, after two fraudulent attempts by top GECOM officials to hand the APNU+AFC a victory, Raab had said that any government sworn in on those fraudulent numbers would face “strong international condemnation”.

“If the situation continues to deteriorate, this international response will include a range of serious consequences for those concerned,” he added.

The UK Foreign Secretary highlighted too that the “UK remains ready, along with its partners, to assist in ensuring a credible process that provides the democratic outcome that the Guyanese people deserve.”

During that time, Clairmont Mingo, Returning Officer (RO) of District number 4 – the country’s largest electoral district – had illegally and fraudulently inflated numbers for the APNU+AFC and deflated the PPP’s to hand the former a victory.

These attempts at electoral fraud were exposed during the tabulation, using the Statements of Polls in the possession of contesting parties, and again confirmed during the national recount exercise.

Those fraudulent numbers have since been set aside by Chair of GECOM, (rtd) Justice Claudette Singh, who has since made four requests to the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, to submit his final report reflecting the results of the recount.

The APNU+AFC has since taken this to the High Court, asking the Chief Justice to allow for a declaration to be made based on those fraudulent numbers to give them a victory.

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U.S. will not name those ‘targeted’ with visa sanctions

Jul 16, 2020

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo

Individuals whose visas have been revoked by the United States Government will be informed by the consular section of the U.S. Embassy, while those without a visa will find out when they apply and go in for an interview at the Embassy.

The visa sanctions were announced on Wednesday by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as the United States and the international community grow impatient with key officials of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and the Coalition APNU+AFC who are bent on using fraudulent votes to declare the results of an election and keep David Granger and his government in office.

U.S Ambassador Sarah Ann-Lynch Thursday, speaking during a virtual press conference, said the sanctions were targeted at particular individuals.

She noted that there have been seven different elections report so far with two of them prepared with substantial alterations. She could only have been referring to the March 13 and July 11 reports of the Chief Elections Officer in which he used figures from District Four which were denounced by local and international observers as being fraudulent.

“The Guyanese people have exercised their civic right and they deserve to be heard. But due to continuing electoral improprieties, the people have not been heard after nineteen long weeks,” the Ambassador said in a statement.

It was on this basis that the visa sanctions were announced. It affects those responsible for or complicit in undermining democracy in Guyana and may affect the immediate family members of those persons.

She said U.S. law prohibits the naming of the persons who have been affected.

The sanctions were announced under the U.S. government’s Immigration and Nationality Act on the grounds that the entry of the persons identified into the United States would have “serious adverse foreign policy consequences.”

Ambassador Lynch stated that over 130 countries are represented through various organisations such as the OAS, the Commonwealth and CARICOM, in the call for the elections results to be declared based on the recount.

She said the events after March 02 have shown that there are “forces” that have repeatedly refused to accept the will of the people at the ballot box.

“Guyana’s non-democratic trajectory is dangerous for its citizens and for the hemisphere as a whole,” she stated, adding that she hopes Guyana’s leaders understand what is at stake if Guyana continues along this path.

She again warned of serious consequences for breaching the democratic principles Guyana is associated with key organisations such as the OAS.

The U.S. Ambassador expressed confidence in the chair of GECOM, retired Justice Claudette Singh, saying she was shocked and appalled at the dangerous statements and the actions that have seen directed at Justice Singh.

“Chairwoman Singh is a person of the utmost integrity and a distinguished jurist who has given decades of her life in service to her country.

“I hope that all Guyanese will speak out on her behalf and allow her to continue her work and bring this electoral process to closure.”

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CARICOM to hold special meeting on Guyana next week

Jul 16, 2020

ralph

The 15-nation Caribbean Community (CARICOM) will next week hold a special meeting on Guyana in the face of President David Granger’s refusal to concede defeat though a national vote recount, broadcast on national television, showed he lost the March 02 elections.

This is according to Prime Minister of St Vincent and CARICOM Chair Dr Ralph Gonsalves.

Guyana enjoys the benefits of free trade and visa-free travel with CARICOM countries. Additionally, thousands of Guyanese continue to benefit from the CARICOM skills certificate which allows them and their families to live and work in the region.

“Yes, CARICOM has different actions it can take. I wouldn’t want to say what the options available to CARICOM because we haven’t met as leaders… I wouldn’t be able, without a meeting of the heads to speak on that, and it would be premature for me to speak on that,” Dr Gonsalves said Thursday morning.

The Prime Minister made his comments during a radio interview with Richie B on Jamaica’s edge105.3 FM.

He said the electoral crisis in Guyana is a “blot” on Guyana and a “blot” on CARICOM, arguing that there is a “sacred assumption” that when you enter an election the people can “kick your butt.”

In his case, Dr Gonsalves, says he clears out the official residence, taking everything – down to his toothbrush – even before voting begins. And then if re-elected, he moves back in with his toothbrush and a suit to be sworn in.

Dr Gonsalve’s comments come a day after the United States (US) initiated stage one of a series of sanctions against individuals seeking to benefit from electoral fraud, restricting visas of those it deems involved or complicit in electoral fraud.

“I was in discussions with the Secretary-General yesterday [Wednesday] and we agreed that we would await a decision by the courts and then we will have a meeting earlier in the week, maybe Monday,” the Chairman said, adding that CARICOM has several actions it can take against electoral defiance.

The Chief Justice will Friday hear a case brought by a party agent of APNU, which Granger leads, seeking to block the declaration of the elections results from the figures generated from the recount.

After several failed attempts to thwart the will of the electorate, the APNU+AFC coalition mounted several legal battles to block the declaration of the results of the March 2 General and Regional elections which show a victory for the Irfaan Ali-led PPP.

A high-level CARICOM team had scrutinized a national recount of the votes and concluded definitively that it was credible enough for a declaration to be made based on those results. The results show the PPP beating APNU+AFC by more than 15,000 votes.

Dr Gonsalves has several times, over the last few months, called for the losing party – in this case, the APNU+AFC – to accept its defeat. Should this fail to happen, he noted that CARICOM has several actions it can take against Guyana.

Earlier this month Political Scientist and acting Chair of the Department of Political Science at the University of Alberta, Professor Andy Knight suggested that Guyana runs the risk of losing its membership from CARICOM.

Dr Gonsalves said, too, that the entire world is aware of what the results of the elections are, and that CARICOM has accepted that outcome since it participated in the recount. He added that the regional bloc has spoken with one voice and will continue to defend democracy in the region.

“CARICOM has spoken – and spoken with one voice. We have to defend democracy and we are on the side of the angels. It is a blot on Guyana and CARICOM. We can’t be indifferent to what is happening. We are not interfering, we are affected,” he said, adding that the headquarters of the organization is based in Guyana and that the country is a signatory to several regional treaties.

He also reminded listeners that it is not just CARICOM but other local, regional, and international observers that have called for the results to be declared based on the recount.

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Bouterse hands over power in peaceful transition in Suriname

Jul 16, 2020

Former Suriname President Desi Bouterse (right) peacefully handed over power to President Chan Santokhi less than two months after elections, despite the lure of oil money, a murder conviction and a 20-year jail sentence hanging over his head

StarNieuws, Suriname: Outgoing president Desi Bouterse placed the presidential sash for his successor Chan Santokhi.

The transfer of power in the country took place at an extraordinary public meeting in Independence Square. In a totally open atmosphere, outdoors, in the bright morning sun in the presence of the outgoing government, diplomatic representatives, other officials and the public, Santokhi has been inaugurated as the tenth president of Suriname.

President Santokhi has sworn his government team in the specially decorated tent on Independence Square.

The oath was read by the Director of the Interior, after which the ministers were sworn in one by one. Most were assisted by spiritual pastors. Of the 17 ministers, six are women (3 from the VHP), 2 from ABOP and one from the NPS.

Head of State Santokhi promised that despite all obstacles, the country will be fine. “The government will deliver on the promise made to the people.”

In his speech after the appointed and sworn ministers, Santokhi said that this is the second phase since the inauguration of the president and vice president. Now a cabinet has been presented to the people of Suriname.

All ministers have made their oath or promise. At the start of the mission they allow themselves to be protected by the Creator. Ministers, Vice President and President will do their work as God expects them to.

A lot has happened prior to this appointment. There was an election on May 25, 2020. A tough campaign was launched. The people have spoken. The result of the people’s statement.

“Are you that product today. Do not forget that the people have placed you. You are going to work for that people. You have promised to the people that you will take him out of the crisis. That will happen with the people. We are a people’s government. We will continue to communicate with the people, “said President Santokhi.

The President stressed that the country is in serious crisis. The people will be taken out of the crisis. Trust will not be betrayed. This applies to every minister and member of this cabinet.

In everything that is done, the question must be asked whether it is good for the country and the people. Whether the country will move forward with that. That must be asked every day by the ministers.

Sanokhi noted that the country will be governed by unity. Although ministers have been nominated by the political parties, this will not apply to the way in which government will be held. A government policy will be implemented. There will be ruled together, without wasting time.

The electorate has received a large mandate. From this moment on, work will start. Friday is the first government meeting where the agenda will be discussed and how it will be dealt with. Over the weekend, the government retreats to bring togetherness, team building, and knowledge of various issues that ministers will face.

The government will be accountable to The National Assembly. There will be good cooperation between the government and parliament, which supervises and ensures the legislation. There will also be good cooperation with the judiciary, with a good balance between the three powers. Content will be given to strengthening the rule of law.

There will also be close cooperation with various other organizations such as the trade union movement, the business community and civil society. Ministers will have to double their duties and cut their rights in half.

“With good policy and good governance, I am convinced that we will have the most crucial problems in the country under control in the very short term. Government Santokhi / Brunswijk God bless you. Together we will do it.”

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Brazil joins calls for swift declaration of recount results

Jul 15, 2020

brazil-prez

Below is a statement issued by the Brazilian government on Guyana’s electoral process: 

The Brazilian government has been following closely the developments in the general and regional elections held in the Cooperative Republic of Guyana on March 2 of this year.

Four months after the election, the Brazilian government considers that delaying the conclusion of the electoral process poses a serious threat to stability in Guyana and a departure from the democratic commitments that the country must observe in the regional and hemispheric context.

The Brazilian government calls on Guyanese political forces to respect the popular will emanating from the elections, in line with the recent sentence of the Caribbean Court of Justice, in order to guarantee the prompt official announcement of the country’s new representatives.

The Brazilian government endorses the conclusions of the CARICOM electoral observation mission regarding the smoothness of the recount procedure and endorses the calls made by the Community and the Organization of American States for the conclusion of the electoral process. Likewise, Brazil adds to the statements of CARICOM, the OAS, the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, pointing out the absence of impediments to the declaration of final results based on the votes cast in the recount process.

The Brazilian government calls on Guyana, an Associated State of MERCOSUR, to remain among the South American nations committed to the highest democratic principles.

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U.S. Congressmen say world ‘completely unified’ in call for recount results to be declared

Jul 15, 2020

New Jersey’s 8th Congressional District representative, Albio Sires

Today, Congressman Albio Sires (D-NJ) and Congressman Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Chairman and Vice Chair respectively of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Civilian Security, and Trade, issued the following statement in support of democracy in Guyana:

“As friends of Guyana who recently traveled to the country in January, we urge the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to promptly issue a Declaration of Results based on the results of the national recount. CARICOM, the Organization of American States, diplomatic missions, and domestic civil society organizations all confirmed that the recount was completed in a professional and transparent manner, providing the basis for a Declaration of Results.

We strongly support the multilateral efforts made to support the people of Guyana throughout this process, which have been led by CARICOM and supported by the U.S. Embassy, the European Union, the Canadian and British High Commissions, and the Organization of American States. While we do not endorse President Trump’s and Secretary Pompeo’s unilateral approach to conducting foreign policy around the world, we stand with our career diplomats and with the international community, which is completely unified in calling for the immediate Declaration of Results based on the recount.

We condemn all efforts to undermine the credibility of the March 2nd election, including recent actions taken by the Chief Elections Officer to effectively disenfranchise thousands of voters and manipulate the vote count.

We fully support GECOM Chairwoman Claudette Singh’s decision to dismiss all of the Chief Elections Officer’s fraudulent reports and are confident that she will declare a winner based on the actual vote count, as certified through the recount process. Guyana’s leaders must prioritize national unity and the long-term health of Guyana’s democratic institutions and abide by the will of the Guyanese people, as reflected in the recount results.

We commend the people of Guyana for their remarkable patience over the last four months, but they have waited far too long. GECOM must promptly issue a Declaration of Results and begin the democratic transition process.”

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CARICOM Chair: The evil of the anti-democratic brigands in Guyana must not be allowed any space to triumph

Jul 15, 2020

ralph

The statement below was read by Dr Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St Vincent and chair of CARICOM at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 2020, on Radio 705, National Broadcasting Corporation.)

On July 8, 2020, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) delivered its judgement on the long-running saga touching and concerning the election of the President and members of the National Assembly of Guyana — the General and Regional Elections — held as long ago on March 2, 2020.

The CCJ’s judgement was lucid in every material particular.  And as Guyana’s highest, and final, appellate court, it is authoritative.  Thus, any attempt, however ingeniously clothed, to litigate all over again this or that matter upon which there has been a final determination or upon which the CCJ has pronounced authoritatively, is tantamount to an abuse of the process of the court or is frivolous and vexatious.

Since the delivery of the judgment of the CCJ, the Chair of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Retired Justice Claudette Singh, has been seeking to bring finality to the elections through relevant decisions, declarations, and directives in accordance with the Laws of Guyana and the judgement of the CCJ.  Her central focus has been to get the valid votes, as identified or defined by the CCJ, counted.  At every turn, GECOM has been frustrated by a recalcitrant Chief Elections Officer.

In a normal democracy what should a straightforward matter of counting votes, has become the equivalent of a long-running soap opera, pregnant with real danger for the people of Guyana and the Caribbean Community.  This charade ought to be brought to an end immediately and a just declaration made by GECOM in keeping with the clear mandate delivered by the voters of Guyana and in accord with the Laws of Guyana and the CCJ’s judgement.

The entire world realizes that a small group of persons, in and out of Guyana, are seeking to hijack, in plain sight, the elections, and thus the country.  Competitive elections deliver, necessarily, winners and losers.

When you lose, you take your loss like a grown man or woman, and you move on peaceably to the role which the voters, in their collective wisdom, have assigned you.  CARICOM, the Organisation of American States, the European Union the Carter Centre and other independent observers including those from CARICOM, the governments of Canada, the United Kingdom, and the USA have pronounced on this matter, essentially with one voice.

Yet, the dangerous games continue to be placed by a minority of persons associated with the political entity which has plainly lost the election.  They are literally playing with fire, commotion, disorder, and civil war.

The leaders of CARICOM, including St. Vincent and the Grenadines, cannot and must not appear to be indifferent to, and detached from, what is happening in Guyana. That magnificent country, Guyana, and its industrious people of the highest quality, are dear to us in CARICOM.

We are in solidarity with the people of Guyana; we defend on an ongoing basis the territorial integrity of Guyana.  Today, CARICOM defends democracy in Guyana; we defend the voters of Guyana; we are on the side of the angels in the stand-off between those who reject the people’s verdict and those who insist, properly, on its observance, recognition, formal declaration, and implementation.

Guyana, as the host to the headquarters of CARICOM, as a signatory to the Charter of Civil Society, the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, and other fundamental documents of relevance, has certain fundamental obligations to CARICOM.

A rogue clique within Guyana cannot be allowed to disrespect or disregard, with impunity, the clear, unambiguous ruling of the CCJ.  The time for decisive action is shortly upon us.

I am deeply disturbed at the credible reports that persons, purportedly allied to certain political forces in Guyana, have been threatening, defaming, and verbally abusing leading personalities in the CARICOM Secretariat, including the Secretary General, His Excellency Irwin La Rocque.  This is wholly unacceptable!

Accordingly, I publicly call upon His Excellency President David Granger, an honourable man, to denounce those who have been engaged in such threats, defamation, and verbal abuse.  The voices of all decent men and women of democratic temper must join in the denunciation and condemnation of those whose nefarious agenda is antithetical to everything that is good and honourable in our Caribbean civilization.

These self-same vile and vulgar persons, having failed in their attempts to curse and bully Prime Minister Mia Mottley and former Prime Minister of Barbados Owen Arthur, and me, have now turned their demonic attention to senior staff members of CARICOM and other reputable persons in Guyana and the Caribbean Community.  We must continue, fearlessly, to do the right thing.  The evil of the anti-democratic brigands must not be allowed any space to triumph.

I await, soonest, the declaration by the Chair of GECOM of the results of the elections.  It is long over-due!

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US Foreign Relations Committee endorses sanctions 

Jul 15, 2020

mike

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has endorsed the actions taken by the US Department of State on Wednesday against senior officials of the David Granger-led administration.

United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday announced that the United States will be revoking visas from individuals “responsible for or complicit in undermining democracy in Guyana.”

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Jim Risch (R-Idaho) in a tweet shortly after the announcement said “I applaud @StateDept’s actions today to hold accountable Guyanese officials who have undermined democracy & delayed results from #Guyana’s March elections.”

He added that “it’s long past time Guyanese authorities begin a democratic transition of power that reflects the confirmed results.”

Risch had previously joined other US Senators calling on President David Granger to honour the will of the Guyanese people and concede defeat at the March 02 polls.

They had also dispatched a letter to the President on May 12th encouraging a free, fair, and transparent recount of the presidential election.

On July 26, they say a declaration of the winner of the elections must be based on the national vote recount scrutinized by CARICOM. The Senators noted that reports suggest questionable maneuvers by interested parties designed to continue forestalling a final declaration of results.

The US State Department on its website said the events following the March 2 elections indicate that there are forces that have repeatedly refused to accept the will of the people at the ballot box.

“Guyana’s non-democratic trajectory is dangerous for its citizens and for the hemisphere as a whole.  I hope that Guyana’s leaders understand what is at stake if they continue down this path,” the State Department said.

It added that the US action is not about interference but to send a clear message of the consequences of subverting democracy and the rule of law, which poses a danger to the US and its hemispheric partners.

“We have long said that we have no preference for a winning party, as long as it is selected through a free and fair electoral process that is credible,” the statement pointed out.

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Canada says will use ‘all tools at our disposal’ to hold accountable those who prevent declaration of recount results

Jul 15, 2020

Canada’s representative to the OAS, Hugh Adsett

See below full statement issued by the Government of Canada:

July 15, 2020 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

“Canada strongly regrets the extended delay in declaring election results in Guyana, a delay that has now lasted more than four months since elections were held on March 2.

“We support calls by the Organization of American States, the Caribbean Community [CARICOM], the Commonwealth, the Caribbean Court of Justice and civil society organizations to announce the results based on the national recount, as validated by the CARICOM observer mission.

“In the interest of the democratic rights of the people of Guyana, Canada firmly maintains that the rule of law and democratic processes must be respected and a declaration be announced without further delay.

“Canada will continue to work with its partners in the international community, using all tools at our disposal, to demand a swift and transparent conclusion to the election process and hold accountable those who prevent it.”

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U.S. says Guyana’s non-democratic trajectory is dangerous for Guyanese, western hemisphere

Jul 15, 2020

mike-pompeo

See below full statement issued by Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State:

On March 2 the Co-Operative Republic of Guyana held national elections, but it has still not declared a winner.  All international observers of the vote count agreed that the manner in which votes were tabulated departed from established procedures.  They unanimously agreed that a result based on these procedures would not be credible.

The Organization of American States and Caribbean Community concluded that the recount of votes, which concluded on June 7 and showed a victory for the opposition, reflected the will of the Guyanese people.  Unfortunately, Guyana’s leaders have refused to accept this result.

Today, I am announcing visa restrictions on individuals who have been responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Guyana.  Immediate family members of such persons may also be subject to these restrictions.

In my public statements since the election I have been very clear that the United States stands with the Guyanese people and that there would be consequences for individuals who seek to undermine democracy.

The events following the March 2 elections indicate that there are forces that have repeatedly refused to accept the will of the people at the ballot box.  Guyana’s non-democratic trajectory is dangerous for its citizens and for the hemisphere as a whole.  I hope that Guyana’s leaders understand what is at stake if they continue down this path.

This action is not about interference.  It is to send a clear message of the consequences of subverting democracy and the rule of law, which poses a danger to us and our hemispheric partners.

We have long said that we have no preference for a winning party, as long as it is selected through a free and fair electoral process that is credible.

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UK begins process to impose sanctions against Gov’t, elections officials

Jul 15, 2020

united-kingdom-uk-foreign-secretary-dominic-raab

The United Kingdom (UK) has begun processes to impose sanctions on top Government and elections officials for undermining Guyana’s democracy as pressure builds on President David Granger to concede defeat and allow the swearing-in of the PPP’s Dr Irfaan Ali.

The United Kingdom is one of Guyana’s main development partners; funding for key infrastructure projects remains on hold since September last year when the United Kingdom and others deemed the Government unconstitutional for missing an elections deadline after the passage of the Parliamentary No Confidence vote.

The UK funds on pause include those for the construction of the road between Linden and Mabura and the bridge at Kurupukari as part of efforts to build the long-awaited road from Linden to Lethem. A Kingston-Ogle seawall development project is also on hold.

The News Room was reliably informed that the sanctions by the United Kingdom will be similar to those imposed by the United States. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced visa sanctions on Wednesday.

The measures will take immediate effect once they are announced.

The UK has joined with other countries over the past four months in calling for the declaration of an elections results based on the national vote recount.

Following the recount which showed the Opposition People’s Progressive Party beating Granger’s APNU+AFC by 15,416 votes, the UK and other international governments have repeatedly called for the results of the election to be declared using the tabulations from the national vote recount.

The UK had also warned that consequences will be imposed if this is not done.

On Friday last, High Commissioner to Guyana Greg Quinn who is one of the longest-serving diplomats in Guyana, said everyone is waiting on GECOM to act.

“This has gone on an awfully, awfully long time and it really does need a resolution and it needs a resolution sooner rather than later,” he had stated.

The recount results have since been challenged in the High Court with the hearing before the Chief Justice Roxane George set for Friday at 14:00h.

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U.S revokes visas of some Gov’t ministers, elections officials

Jul 15, 2020

mike-pompeo

Some Government ministers of the David Granger-led APNU+AFC along with senior officials of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and their immediate family members have had their United States visas revoked over growing international intolerance that the Coalition refuses to concede and allow Dr Irfaan Ali to be sworn in as President.

This is the first time in recent decades that the U.S. has moved to impose sanctions for electoral fraud.

The News Room understands that the list of those visas who have been revoked include key government ministers, officials of the elections commission, an attorney, and financiers of the Coalition.

United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday announced that the United States will be revoking visas from individuals “responsible for or complicit in undermining democracy in Guyana.”

Pompeo announced the sanctions during a live press conference streamed on the U.S Department of State Facebook page and was clear that “immediate family members and such persons may also be subject to restrictions.”

Pompeo also called on incumbent President David Granger to respect the results of the elections.

“The Granger Government must respect the result of democratic elections and step aside,” Pompeo warned.

Just recently, Pompeo warned of sanctions against those who seek to undermine democracy in Guyana.

“It’s now been four months since Guyana’s election is long past due for a peaceful transition. CARICOM and the OAS [Organisation of American States] has certified the recount results and [they] should get on with it,” Pompeo had said on July 1 and noted that he instructed his Department to ensure those who undermine Guyana’s democracy are held accountable.

CARICOM and the OAS which sent observers to oversee the national recount of all votes cast on March 2, have called for the elections results to be declared using the recount results. Several other countries have also called for an end of the over 100-day process.

The national vote recount shows that the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) beat APNU+AFC by 15,416 votes.

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield in a report to the Chairperson of GECOM following the recount showed the opposition PPP won the elections with 233, 336 votes while the APNU+AFC received 217, 920 votes.

But he presented another report on June 23 in which he gave the APNU+AFC 171, 825 votes and the PPP/C 166, 343 votes, invalidating 115,844 votes.

His second report was endorsed by Granger who has refused to concede defeat at the polls.

The Chairman of GECOM has since discarded Lowenfield’s report and has asked him three times to prepare his report reflecting the recount results and he has failed to comply.

But despite multiple court rulings, including by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), that matters regarding elections can only be attempted through an elections petition and that the business of GECOM cannot be inquired into by a court, a supporter of the Coalition has moved to the High Court seeking to block a declaration of the results of the national vote recount.

That case will be heard before the Chief Justice on Friday at 14:00h and a decision could be made by Sunday.

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U.S. says Granger must step aside; announces visa sanctions on those undermining democracy

Jul 15, 2020

mike

United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday announced that the United States will be revoking visas from individuals “responsible for or complicit in undermining democracy in Guyana.”

Pompeo announced the sanctions during a live press conference streaming on the U.S Department of State Facebook page and was clear that “immediate family members and such persons may also be subject to restrictions.”

Pompeo also called on incumbent President David Granger to respect the results of the elections.

“The Granger Government must respect the result of democratic elections and step aside,” Pompeo warned.

“Today I am announcing visa restrictions on individuals responsible for or complicit in undermining democracy in Guyana. Immediate family members of such persons may also be subject to such restrictions,” he said.

Just recently, Pompeo warned of sanctions against those who seek to undermine democracy in Guyana.

“It’s now been four months since Guyana’s election is long past due for a peaceful transition. CARICOM and the OAS [Organisation of American States] has certified the recount results and [they] should get on with it,” Pompeo had said on July 1 and noted that he instructed his Department to ensure those who undermine Guyana’s democracy are held accountable.

CARICOM and the OAS which sent observers to oversee the national recount of all votes cast on March 2, have called for the elections results to be declared using the recount results. Several other countries have also called for an end of the over 100-day process.

The national vote recount shows that the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) won the elections by 15,416 votes.

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield in a report to the Chairperson of GECOM following the recount showed the opposition PPP won the elections with 233, 336 votes while the APNU+AFC received 217, 920 votes.

But he presented another report on June 23 in which he gave the APNU+AFC 171, 825 votes and the PPP/C 166, 343 votes, invalidating 115,844 votes.

His second report was endorsed by incumbent President David Granger who has refused to concede defeat at the polls.

The Chairman of GECOM has since discarded Lowenfield’s report and has asked him three times to prepare his report reflecting the recount results and he has failed to comply.

But despite multiple court rulings, including by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), that matters regarding elections can only be attempted through an elections petition and that the business of GECOM cannot be inquired into by a court, a supporter of the Coalition has moved to the High Court seeking to block a declaration of the results of the national vote recount.

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Dominica PM calls for an end to political situation in Guyana

Jul 14, 2020

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Dominica (CMC) — The Dominica Government Tuesday described as “untenable” the ongoing political situation in Guyana where the country is still awaiting the results of the disputed March 2 regional and general elections.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, who was among five Caribbean Community (Caricom) leaders who had visited Guyana in a bid to resolve the dispute, said that it was important for the people of the country to know which government had been elected to chart the way forward.

“Guyana’s elections were held in March of this year and up to this day they have not yet been able to declare officially a winner of the elections,” said Skerrit.

He said the Caricom delegation that was headed by Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, who was then Caricom chairman, thought the matter had been solved after its visit and talks with the various stakeholders.

“But certainly it has not been solved there. They have gone to court many times, the CCJ (Caribbean Court of Justice) has ruled on this matter and my understanding is that there are members of the Electoral Commission who are refusing to attend meetings and the chief elections officer is refusing to follow the law and the court order.

“Our hope and prayer is that everyone in Guyana will do what is correct, what is right and to bring to an end, the announcement of the long awaited results,” said Skerrit.

He added: “The situation is untenable. I do not want to get involved in any country’s domestic issues but just to say that it is important that this election comes to an end and the Guyanese people can go about their business knowing who their legitimate government is and that the efforts to contain COVID and to grow the economy can continue with the government of the people’s choosing”.

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is due to meet later today to receive the official results of the elections from Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield.

In his last report, which was rejected by the GECOM chairman, retired justice Claudette Singh, Lowenfield said that the ruling coalition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) had defeated the main opposition People’s Progressive Party /Civic.

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Convicted murderer’s presidency ends in Suriname

Jul 14, 2020

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[BBC] – The National Assembly of Suriname has elected Chan Santokhi as the South American country’s new president.

The move comes after Mr Santokhi’s party won the largest share of votes in legislative elections in May.

Mr Santokhi, a former police chief, will replace outgoing president Dési Bouterse, who was found guilty of murder in 2019.

The two men are bitter rivals as it was Mr Santokhi’s investigation which led to Bouterse’s conviction.

Bouterse is currently appealing against the verdict.

Who is Chan Santokhi?

Chandrikapersad “Chan” Santokhi, who is 61, leads the Progressive Reform Party.

Born in Suriname, which is a former Dutch colony, he studied at the police academy in the Netherlands. After his return to Suriname, he became a police inspector and in 1991 was named chief of police.

From 2005 to 2010 he served as minister of justice. He ran for the presidency in 2010 but lost to Bouterse.

Bouterse was re-elected to a second term in 2015 and was confident of winning a third consecutive term in elections in May but it was Mr Santokhi’s party which emerged victorious.

The Progressive Reform Party won 20 of the 51 seats in the National Assembly, enough to form a coalition government with the General Liberation and Development Party. The latter is led by Ronnie Brunswijk, who will serve as vice-president.

The end of Desi Bouterse’s career?

Bouterse, 74, has long influenced politics in Suriname.

He first came to political prominence when he led 15 follow non-commissioned officers in overthrowing the government of Henck Arron, the first to lead Suriname following its independence from the Netherlands.

In his role as National Military Council chairman, he was Suriname’s de facto leader for much of the 1980s.

It was during this time, in December 1982, that soldiers rounded up, tortured and executed 15 of Bouterse’s opponents.

Bouterse claims the victims, who included trade union leaders and journalists, were shot as they were trying to escape from the colonial-era fortress in which they were being held.

In 2007, he admitted “political responsibility” for what has become known as the “December murders” but he has always denied personal responsibility.

A trial started that same year and three judges concluded 12 years later, in November 2019, that Bouterse was guilty of murder and should serve 20 years in jail. However, no arrest warrant was issued.

The guilty verdict over the “December murders” is not his only conviction. In 1999, a court in the Netherlands found Bouterse guilty of smuggling more than a thousand pounds of cocaine and sentenced him in absentia to 11 years in prison.

Bouterse has always denied the drug-smuggling allegations.

What next?

Chan Santokhi will be sworn in as president on Thursday. Speaking after the National Assembly elected him, he said that he was inheriting a country “on the brink of financial collapse”.

“We are balancing on the edge of an international default,” he added while calling on the people of Suriname to stand “shoulder to shoulder” to tackle the challenges ahead.

He also said that “the government we form will pursue a coherent policy to work together towards that one goal: the recovery of Suriname”.

In order to achieve a united front, Mr Santokhi will have to work with his vice-president, Ronnie Brunswijk.

As a former rebel leader who fought a civil war against Bouterse, Ronnie Brunswijk would seem like a natural ally of Mr Santokhi.

But Ronnie Brunswijk has been known to switch allegiances in the past. Between 2010 and 2015, he put his differences with Bouterse to one side to join him in a coalition government.

Bouterse himself referred to the challenges ahead for Mr Santokhi when he said on Monday that “out of experience, I can tell you it won’t be an easy job”.

It is not clear yet if an arrest warrant will be issued for Bouterse once he ceases to be president on Thursday.

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British Minister Lord Tariq Ahmad endorses call for declaration of recount results

Jul 13, 2020

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Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon, the British Minister for the Commonwealth and the United Nations, has endorsed calls for there to be a declaration of the results of the national vote count in Guyana.

“As fellow members of the Commonwealth, we urge Guyana to uphold its fundamental values of democracy, the rule of law and good governance,” Lord Tariq said on Twitter.

Lord Tariq was appointed Minister of State for the Commonwealth and the United Nations on June 13, 2017.

He was at the time endorsing the call of Baroness Elizabeth Grace Sugg, the UK’s Minister for Sustainable Development and Overseas Territories.

Baroness Sugg on Saturday said Guyanese “have waited long enough for election results.”

Now that all legal processes have been completed, she urged the Guyana Elections Commission to declare a result based on CARICOM scrutinised recount.

“Every vote must count, all must respect those votes, regardless of the result,” she tweeted.

On Monday Justice (rt’d) Claudette Singh, the Chair of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) took a crucial decision to set aside the declarations made before the national vote recount started; it means that the only figures that can be used for a declaration of the results of the elections are those generated during the recount.

The combined totals from the recount, as presented by Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield in a report to the Commission on June 13, show the PPP winning the elections with 233, 336 votes.

APNU+AFC secured 217,920 votes. Together the other parties secured 9,096 votes.

It means that the Coalition APNU+AFC lost the elections by 24, 512 votes.

Lowenfield has been given until 2:30 p.m Tuesday to present his elections report, calculating the Parliamentary seats assigned to the winning parties, so there could be a declaration of the results of the elections.

Those results show the PPP secured 33 seats, APNU+AFC secured 31 seats and a group of three parties secured one seat to complete the 65-seat National Assembly.

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USAID calls on Granger to put Guyana first to ensure swift transition of power

Jul 13, 2020

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Acting Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) John Barsa on Monday joined the long list of persons calling on incumbent President David Granger to concede defeat to end the four-month-long electoral process.

Barsa tweeted on Monday that: “Democracy requires that statesmen respect the will of the people.”

“We call on Mr Granger to put #Guyana first & assure a swift, peaceful transition of power to the democratically elected winners of the March 2 election based on the full recount tabulation.”

USAID funds several programs in Guyana focusing on health, economic growth, and democracy and governance. Under health, it provides funding to HIV/AIDs programs.

In other areas, the agency also supports institutions and systems in the areas of rule of law, good governance, political competition and consensus-building, civil society, the private sector and security sector.

Other US officials including Acting Assistant Secretary for U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs Michael Kozak and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have called for the winner of the elections to be declared using the results from the national vote recount.

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CCJ was clear results from recount cannot be questioned

Jul 13, 2020

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The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) had last Wednesday ruled very clearly that the results from the national vote recount cannot be set aside and must be used to declare the winner of the March 02 elections.

“Unless and until an election court decides otherwise, the votes already counted by the recount process as valid votes are incapable of being declared invalid by any person or authority,” Justice Adrian Saunders, President of the Court, said in a ruling.

The Court then said what should happen when it stated: “It is for GECOM to ensure the CEO submits a report in accordance with its direction of June 16 in order to proceed along the path directed by the laws of Guyana.”

That June 16 direction, which has now been given twice, is for the Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield to prepare a report based on the results of the recount.

The Court had urged that this be done without delay.

“It is for GECOM to ensure that the election results are swiftly declared in accordance with the Laws of Guyana,” Justice Saunders stated.

It is not that Lowenfield is not clear on what the results of the recount is. On June 13, he presented his report of the national vote recount, showing the totals for the ten electoral districts which were signed off by GECOM’s own staff as being valid; when added up, Lowenfield’s report shows the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) beating APNU+AFC by 15, 416 votes.

For each of the ten certificates of the recount which gives the grand total, the GECOM staff, particularly the District Supervisors, who replaced the Returning Officers from the original process, signed off with these words: “I certify that the abovementioned totals were correctly compiled, ascertained and verified using the Statements of Recount….”

It was the GECOM staff, all under the command of Lowenfield, who certified the results for each electoral district when the recount was concluded.

A total of 2, 339 Statements of Recount were produced during the recount; these showed the total amount of votes cast for each party at each polling station.

The figures of valid votes cast for the parties from those Statements of Recount were then added up to get the totals for every district.

Before the signatures for every district, there was a table showing the results of the recount with the words “VALID VOTES CAST FOR EACH PARTY LIST OF CANDIDATES.”

The combined totals, as presented by Lowenfield on Saturday, shows the PPP winning the elections with 233, 336 votes. APNU+AFC secured 217,920 votes. Together the other parties secured 9,096 votes.

It means therefore that APNU+AFC lost the elections by 24, 512 votes.

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General Secretary of OAS writes Permanent Council to ‘deal with Guyana’s electoral process’  

Jul 13, 2020

OAS Secretary General, Luis Almagro

Luis Almagro, the General Secretary of the Organisation of American (OAS) has officially written the Chairman of the Permanent Council to convene a meeting to “deal with the situation of the electoral process in Guyana.”

The General Secretary shared the official correspondence on his Twitter page on Monday; the letter is addressed to Ambassador Luis Fernando Cordero Montoya.

“I have the honor of addressing Your Excellency to request your support in calling a meeting of the Permanent Council to deal with the situation of the electoral process in Guyana.

“Availing myself of this opportunity to reassure you of my highest consideration.”

The OAS is made up of 35 member states.

Guyana remains in limbo over four months after citizens voted at the March 2 polls and no winner has been declared.

A national vote recount supervised by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) revealed the Opposition People’s Progressive Party as the winner of the polls by over 15,000 votes but the incumbent APNU+AFC, led by Brigadier (rt’d) David Granger has refused to concede defeat.

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is meeting to decide on what to do with the country’s Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, and the elections report he presented Saturday last.

Lowenfield was three times asked to submit a report based on the national vote recount but each time, he has doctored his report to show a win for the Coalition APNU+AFC.

As a result of Lowenfield’s brazen rebellion, political parties have mounted pressure on the chairman Justice Retired Claudette Singh to dismiss him with immediate effect.

The Organisation of American States (OAS) in one of its strongest statements yet, said there can be no justification for Lowenfield’s actions.

According to the OAS in its June 11 statement, this confirms that the Chief Elections Officer is acting in bad faith and contrary to the interest of democracy in Guyana.

The OAS made it clear that the only democratic solution for Guyana at this time is respect for the results of the national recount.

No other figures – neither those prepared prior to the recount, nor those recently invalidated by the Caribbean Court of Justice, nor any others that may be unilaterally devised by the Chief Elections Officer – can have any place in the final determination of results,” the OAS said.

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U.S again calls for respect of recount results

Jul 13, 2020

Assistant Secretary for the US Department of State’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Michael Kozak

The United States has again called for the winner of Guyana’s March 2 elections to be declared using the results of the national vote recount.

Acting Assistant Secretary for U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs Michael Kozak on Monday endorsed a statement issued by the Organisation of American States (OAS) which noted that the only democratic solution for Guyana at this time is respect for the results of the national recount.

Kozak tweeted: “We stand with @OAS_official in calling for respect of the results of the national recount in #Guyana.”

“The peoples of the Americas have a right to democracy and their governments have an obligation to promote and defend it,” he added.

The OAS in a statement on Saturday said there is no justification for the actions of the Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield who keeps manipulating the elections results to give the incumbent APNU+AFC Coalition a win.

“No other figures – neither those prepared prior to the recount, nor those recently invalidated by the Caribbean Court of Justice, nor any others that may be unilaterally devised by the Chief Elections Officer – can have any place in the final determination of results,” the OAS had said.

The OAS also added that a new electoral process is also an unacceptable solution.

GECOM is meeting to determine the way forward.

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GECOM has solid legal grounds to fire Lowenfield – Jamaica Gleaner Editorial

Jul 13, 2020

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See below an Editorial published by the Jamaica Gleaner today: 

Final courts, according to the famous aphorism of the US Supreme Court justice, Robert H. Jackson, are not final because they are infallible. “… We are infallible,” he said, “only because we are final.” But even when we disagree with the rulings, we accept them as indispensable to the fabric of justice and the maintenance of the rule of law, the absence of which is anarchy and chaos. That’s the foundation of democratic order.

It is against this backdrop that this newspaper urges Guyana’s caretaker A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) government, and its leader, David Granger, to accept last week’s ruling by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) of its jurisdictional competence to hear the case, in favour of the opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) on the approach to determining the outcome of the presidential and legislative elections of more than four months ago. The APNU’s position would be without prejudice to its rights to any other legal remedies by way of the constitution and in accordance with the CCJ’s findings.

SOLID LEGAL GROUNDS

At the same time, if Keith Lowenfield, Guyana’s chief elections officer, continues to stall in delivering a final count in accordance with the request of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), he should be fired forthwith by that body for gross insubordination and the task given to his deputy, or any other person with the competence to produce the result – even if GECOM has to issue an order to give effect to this move. GECOM would be on solid legal grounds.

Guyana’s Election Laws (Amendment) Act of 2000 says, at Section 18, that the chief elections officer “shall, notwithstanding anything written in any law, be subject to the direction and control of the commission”.

Moreover, GECOM’s ability to have someone else declare the election result would be the same authority it employed when it ordered a recount of the votes of the March 2 poll, with oversight from Caribbean Community (CARICOM) monitors. That is, Section 22 of the Election Laws Act, that allows GECOM to resolve difficulties not anticipated in existing laws, to issue orders it considers “necessary or expedient for removing the difficulty”, even if this may mean modifying the legislation.

In the March election, the APNU was initially reported to have won the election by a small margin, having ostensibly racked up a huge win in the largely urban Region 4, to overcome a huge deficit in rural districts where PPP/C has most of its votes. That outcome was contested, leading to the CARICOM-brokered recount, which gave PPP/C a narrow victory.

However, Mr Lowenfield, at odds with the CARICOM overseers, issued a report that eliminated several thousand votes. He argued that irregularities and fraud invalidated the votes of several ballot boxes. He was, nonetheless, ordered by GECOM to produce a final report on the basis of the agreed, recounted numbers. Complainants would then properly pursue their claims in the high court, by election petitions, as provided for by the constitution.

EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION

Before the GECOM instruction was acted on, a private citizen went to Guyana’s Court of Appeal for orders that the GECOM recount process had established a new regime for the conduct of elections; and that Section 177 (4) of the Guyana constitution gave that court exclusive jurisdiction on matters pertaining to the election of the president.

The appeal court, by majority decision, agreed with those arguments and further said that votes, in the context of the elections, should be interpreted to mean “valid votes”, which Mr Lowenfield saw as vindication of his own position.

The CCJ, however, asserted that the election of a president under Guyana’s system of proportional representation was not separate from the election of the electoral lists with which the candidates stand. It is the list that gets the most votes whose named candidate becomes president.

In the circumstances, the carve-out of the appeal court’s original jurisdiction under Section 117 (4) of the constitution, it said, was very limited in its application, relating specially to the qualification of a candidate for the presidency and the interpretation of the constitution. In that respect, the application of this provision, the CCJ held, was premature, given that a president, the person identified from the party list that received the most votes, would not be determined until the voting process was completed and the returns made. The implication, therefore, is that questions about voting irregularities would have to be settled by the high court.

The APNU may disagree with the court, but in democratic systems the rule of law prevails. Further, Guyana’s stability is at stake, a situation exacerbated by the country’s ethnicity-based politics, with black Guyanese mostly supporting Mr Granger’s party, and ethnic Indians backing the PPP/C. This crisis demands statesmanship.

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Suriname’s Bouterse to transfer power to new President, VP

Jul 13, 2020

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StarNieuws – Chan Santokhi has just been elected President of the Republic of Suriname and Ronnie Brunswijk as Vice President. The meeting was attended by all political groups so that more than 34 members were present in the room.

Although there are no counter-candidates, the qualified majority is required to be declared legally elected.

The extraordinary public meeting was led by Assembly Chairman Ronnie Brunswijk at the opening. After the appointment of the polling station, led by Krishna Mathoera, Brunswijk transferred the hammer to Vice President Dew Sharman, as he is a candidate himself.

Mathoera announced that the nomination has been done correctly. The required documents have also been found to be correct. Sharman determined that Santokhi has been elected President and Brunswijk as Vice President.

The meeting was attended by President Desi Bouterse and Vice President Ashwin Adhin.

The transfer of power will take place on Thursday. A press conference will soon be held by the newly elected ministers.

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Commonwealth calls on GECOM to ‘decisively’ declare recount results

Jul 12, 2020

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Statement by the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth on Guyana Electoral Process:

I note and welcome the 9 July 2020 statement from the Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. The Hon. Ralph Gonsalves, which called on all stakeholders to respect the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Guyana’s final court of appeal.

In accordance with the applicable laws and the constitution of Guyana, the CCJ exercised its final appellate jurisdiction, and, on 8 July 2020 handed down a clear and unambiguous ruling. The CCJ stated, “It is for GECOM to ensure that the election results are swiftly declared in accordance with the Laws of Guyana.”

Guyana is a much loved and valued member of the Commonwealth. On behalf of the entire Commonwealth family, I strongly encourage the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to follow the directions given by the CCJ and decisively conclude the 2 March 2020 elections based on the results of the national recount. The will of the people as expressed in the 2 March 2020 General and Regional Elections must be respected for democracy to prevail in Guyana.

I urge all political actors and stakeholders in Guyana to accept and respect the results of the national recount and ensure that their words and actions promote an environment of peace, harmony and social cohesion among all Guyanese.

Guyana’s destiny as a great nation rests on the shoulders of those men and women who are duty bound to make the right decision, respecting the will of the people and the rule of law, and ready to place their country before their personal ambitions.

The Commonwealth calls all leaders to be faithful to the common good, so that Guyana’s future may truly be forged today.

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UWI Vice Chancellor says only recount results would be acceptable to the Caribbean, wider world

Jul 11, 2020

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A statement from the Professor Sir Hillary Beckles, the current Vice-Chancellor of The University of the West Indies follows:

Sometimes it requires a personal rather than political or professional perspective to see beyond the borders of a seemingly divisive circumstance, and to offer a dispassionate comment. I was named by my father after his cousin, Hilary Alfonso McDonald Beckles. “HAM Beck”, as he was called, was little known in our native Barbados, but his contribution to nation building in Guyana is well respected. In the late 1940s he fled “Bim” for “BG”. He taught classics for near three decades at Queen’s College in Georgetown, where he also became principal.

His commitments to Guyana straddled the diverse ethnic and cultural scene. He married an Amerindian woman, and considered himself a research authority on Hindu culture and Indian civilization. He admired the colony’s ethnic diversity and adopted the new nation of 1966 as his home. Supporting the nation’s dream for democratic development and the equality of ethnicities was his personal quest.

Through those eyes I came to embrace the wonderful land of a thousand rivers. I know something of its history and culture, including the good and the bad times evident in its turbulent journey to and beyond nationhood. It has been a torn and tortured terrain with divisive seeds sown in the colonial waters that nurture the rich land.

The determined evidence of the debilitating deployment of ethnic identity as expressions of indigenous nationalism can be seen in far too many places. But, above it all, there is also the compelling story, in the history from sea walls to sugar estates, of commitment to the paramount principle that the will of the people should not be toppled, but respected.

The people have spoken. And so has the highest court. From the 2019-2020 electoral campaign and franchise exercise, their will is now known. With much pain and sacrifice the process has been monitored and reviewed by CARICOM. The findings of the outcome should be declared and implemented. There is no other option that will be acceptable to the region and wider world. The future of the nation is assured with the compliance of State to the popular will. The regional court is counting on the integrity of the polity to protect the democracy.

Fear of the future is not an acceptable explanation for franchise frustration in the present. Ethical conduct, and not ethnic constructs, is expected to rule when democracy is in need of advocacy. The children of indigenous survivors, the chattel enslaved, the deceived indentured, and others in between, must now converge at the rendezvous of victory. The minority party should stay the course and continue to contribute to the sustainability and maturity of the integrated, multi-racial nation.

In this regard, despite the challenges of late, the nation has much to teach its region and the world beyond. This year is the 40th anniversary of the violent taking of Walter Rodney’s life. It was forfeit because of the socially and politically integrated values he held most dear. He was from that generation of outstanding Guyanese scholars nurtured by HAM Beckles.

I join with the current and past Heads of CARICOM, the Honourable Ralph Gonsalves and the Honourable Mia Mottley respectively, and with the former Prime Minister of Barbados, the Honourable Owen Arthur, in calling for the official embrace of the evidentiary truth of the election. Every hour that the celebration of a new day is allowed to sour, the greater will be the tarnish on the varnish of the history of a great nation.

Hilary McD Beckles

Professor of Economic History

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 ‘Guyanese have waited long enough, declare results now’ – UK Gov’t official

Jul 11, 2020

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The United Kingdom on Saturday again urged the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to declare the winner of the March 2, 2020 polls in keeping with the recount figures which show a victory for the People’s Progressive Party by over 15,000 votes.

“Guyanese people have waited long enough for election results. Now all legal processes have been completed I urge Guyana Elections Commission to declare a result based on @CARICOMorg scrutinised recount. Every vote must count, all must respect those votes, regardless of the result,” tweeted Baroness Elizabeth Grace Sugg, the UK’s Minister for Sustainable Development and Overseas Territories.

In late April, Baroness Sugg had said that the UK remains “deeply concerned” about the elections and the subsequent events that followed.

She had noted that the UK remains fully engaged in seeking a resolution to events in Guyana which upholds its fundamental commitment to democracy, good governance and the rule of law.

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OAS urges GECOM to remove those not complying with electoral process

Jul 10, 2020

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See full statement issued by the Organisation of American States:

In our most recent press statement, on June 23, 2020, the OAS encouraged the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to move forward in concluding Guyana’s electoral process, based on the results of the national recount, and in accordance with the will of the majority of the electorate.

The decision of the Caribbean Court of Justice on July 8, 2020, confirmed that GECOM has the final authority to declare these elections and that the Chief Elections Officer is required to comply with the Commission’s directives in this regard.

The OAS notes and commends the instructions of the GECOM Chair, Justice Claudette Singh (ret’d), issued on July 9 and reiterated on July 10, that the Chief Elections Officer should prepare and submit his report using the results generated by the national recount.

Regrettably, developments over the last two days suggest that efforts continue to avoid compliance with these obligations and to further prolong the term of the current government. The OAS notes that one of the principal obstacles to completing Guyana’s current electoral process is a person whose duty it is to defend Guyana’s democracy through ensuring respect for the results of elections.

As already suggested in our April 15 press statement on the national recount, GECOM should exclude from the current electoral process, and indeed from all future electoral processes, those persons whose actions display clear partisan bias, and who apply this bias unreservedly in hindering the natural unfolding of the democratic process in Guyana.

A credible conclusion of the 2020 elections is essential if Guyana is to remain a democracy. The OAS will continue to support the efforts of the people of Guyana towards this end.

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Diplomats meet with new Army Chief

Jul 10, 2020

Chief of Staff (ag) of the GDF, Brigadier Godfrey Bess

Newly appointed Chief-of-Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Godfrey Bess on Friday met senior Diplomats of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and the European Union where he underscored that the Force has an apolitical stance and abides by its role in the Constitution of Guyana.

Brigadier Bess met with the US Ambassador Sarah Ann Lynch, British High Commissioner Greg Quinn, Canadian High Commissioner Lilian Chatterjee and EU Ambassador Fernando Ponz-Canto at the GDF Headquarters, Base Camp Ayanganna.

In a short statement, the army said Bess “reiterated the apolitical nature and posture of the Guyana Defence Force.”

Further, the new Army Chief also emphasised in the meeting that “the GDF is fulfilling its mandate and will continue to abide by its role as stipulated by Guyana’s Constitution.”

“For their part, heir Excellencies pledged continued military support for the GDF,” according to the statement.

Senior officers present during the courtesy call included Inspector General, Colonel Trevor Bowman, Quartermaster General, Colonel Sherwin Anderson, Adjutant General Colonel Raul Jerrick and Staff Officer One Special Duties Lieutenant Colonel Colin Henry.

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OAS slams obstacles to declaration of result

July 10, 2020

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While not naming Chief Election Officer, Keith Lowenfield, the OAS today said that one of the principal obstacles to the declaration of a result here is “a person whose duty it is to defend Guyana’s democracy through ensuring respect for the results of elections”.

The OAS statement was a clear reference to Lowenfield and came amid his continued defiance of instructions from GECOM Chair Claudette Singh to present a final result based on the recount of votes.

The OAS said it had already stated on April 15 that such persons should have no part in the current or future electoral processes.

A statement by the OAS follows:

OAS Statement on the Electoral Process in Guyana

In our most recent press statement, on June 23, 2020, the OAS encouraged the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to move forward in concluding Guyana’s electoral process, based on the results of the national recount, and in accordance with the will of the majority of the electorate.

The decision of the Caribbean Court of Justice on July 8, 2020 confirmed that GECOM has the final authority to declare these elections and that the Chief Elections Officer is required to comply with the Commission’s directives in this regard. The OAS notes and commends the instructions of the GECOM Chair, Justice Claudette Singh (ret’d), issued on July 9 and reiterated on July 10, that the Chief Elections Officer should prepare and submit his report using the results generated by the national recount.

Regrettably, developments over the last two days suggest that efforts continue to avoid compliance with these obligations and to further prolong the term of the current government. The OAS notes that one of the principal obstacles to completing Guyana’s current electoral process is a person whose duty it is to defend Guyana’s democracy through ensuring respect for the results of elections. As already suggested in our April 15 press statement on the national recount, GECOM should exclude from the current electoral process, and indeed from all future electoral processes, those persons whose actions display clear partisan bias, and who apply this bias unreservedly in hindering the natural unfolding of the democratic process in Guyana.

A credible conclusion of the 2020 elections is essential if Guyana is to remain a democracy. The OAS will continue to support the efforts of the people of Guyana towards this end.

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GECOM should remove persons whose actions display clear bias – OAS

July 10, 2020

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The Guyana Elections Commission should “exclude from the current electoral process, and indeed from all future electoral processes, those persons whose actions display clear partisan bias, and who apply this bias unreservedly in hindering the natural unfolding of the democratic process in Guyana”.

This is according to the Organization of American States (OAS) in a statement issued on Friday.

The OAS was at the time commenting on the recent developments in Guyana’s electoral process, lauding the GECOM Chair Justice Claudette Singh’s instructions to the Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield.

The CEO has, however, been refusing to follow the instructions of the GECOM Chair to compile and submit his final elections report using the recount results. He has now been given by 11am tomorrow to do so.

See full statement from the OAS:

In our most recent press statement, on June 23, 2020, the OAS encouraged the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to move forward in concluding Guyana’s electoral process, based on the results of the national recount, and in accordance with the will of the majority of the electorate.

The decision of the Caribbean Court of Justice on July 8, 2020 confirmed that GECOM has the final authority to declare these elections and that the Chief Elections Officer is required to comply with the Commission’s directives in this regard. The OAS notes and commends the instructions of the GECOM Chair, Justice Claudette Singh (ret’d), issued on July 9 and reiterated on July 10, that the Chief Elections Officer should prepare and submit his report using the results generated by the national recount.

Regrettably, developments over the last two days suggest that efforts continue to avoid compliance with these obligations and to further prolong the term of the current government. The OAS notes that one of the principal obstacles to completing Guyana’s current electoral process is a person whose duty it is to defend Guyana’s democracy through ensuring respect for the results of elections. As already suggested in our April 15 press statement on the national recount, GECOM should exclude from the current electoral process, and indeed from all future electoral processes, those persons whose actions display clear partisan bias, and who apply this bias unreservedly in hindering the natural unfolding of the democratic process in Guyana.

A credible conclusion of the 2020 elections is essential if Guyana is to remain a democracy. The OAS will continue to support the efforts of the people of Guyana towards this end.

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Court of Appeal does have finality in limited circumstances but not in David case – CCJ

July 10, 2020

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On Wednesday the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) delivered its judgment invalidating the ruling of the Guyana Court of Appeal on valid votes, which essentially paved the way for GECOM to finally declare a result for the March 2nd general elections using the figures from the recount.

If the reasoning of the apex court is to be followed and applied the PPP/C would be the victors over the incumbent APNU+AFC and its presidential candidate Irfaan Ali would be declared the next president of the Guyana.

Today marks two days since the apex court handed down its decision but there has been no clarity from the elections commission on the way forward as regards giving effect to the CCJ’s ruling.

Commissioners of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) had been invited by Chairperson (ret’d) Justice Claudette Singh to a meeting yesterday afternoon to discuss the way forward pertaining to a declaration of results from the March 2nd elections, following the CCJ’s ruling.

That meeting was, however, postponed to today as government-appointed commissioners have requested time to study the ruling.

Observers have noted that Wednesday’s CCJ ruling was pellucid in its dismissal of the local appeal court’s decision and the demolishing of the June 23rd report of Chief Election Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield dumping over 115,000 votes and purporting to hand victory to APNU+AFC when the winner based on the recount is the PPP/C.

They believe that that APNU+AFC is still looking for means to block the certification of the result and the swearing in of Irfaan Ali as the new President, even as they point out that caretaker President David Granger continues to insist that there had been fraud at the polls.

Observers have said that the manoeuvre by government Commissioners Vincent Alexander, Charles Corbin and Desmond Trotman had been expected as part of plans by the incumbent APNU+AFC coalition to further delay the process for the declaration of a result.

Among other things, the CCJ made it pellucid that it was inconsistent with the constitution for CEO or GECOM to disenfranchise thousands of electors in a seemingly non transparent and arbitrary manner, without the due processes established in Article 163 and the National Assembly Validity of Elections Act.

As a matter of fact, the court said that the local appellate court did not have the jurisdiction to hear the case in the first place and so acted beyond its powers in making a pronouncement on the constitutional meaning of “votes cast” at the March 2nd elections.

Following its ruling, the apex court has added its voice to the common chorus of swift resolution to the elections process which has now been protracted well over 100 days, while calling for the law to be allowed to take its course.

Nullified

The CCJ specifically noted that Eslyn David’s case did not fall within the scope of Article 177 (4) and therefore nullified the Court of Appeal’s majority ruling that the interpretation of the words “more votes are cast” catered for in Article 177 (2) (b) should mean “more valid votes are cast.”

Ali and General Secretary of the PPP/C Bharrat Jagdeo would later successfully appeal to the CCJ.

President of the Trinidad-based court of last resort for Guyana, Justice Adrian Saunders who delivered the unanimous ruling on behalf of the 5-memebr panel of judges said that “by the unnecessary insertion of the word “valid”, the Court of Appeal impliedly invited Lowenfield to engage unilaterally in an unlawful validation exercise which trespassed on the exclusive jurisdiction of the High Court established by Article 163.

Justice Saunders had said that the CCJ could not grant consequential orders, but specifically ordered that the Court of Appeal’s decision was being set aside, while also invalidating the June 23rd report issued by Lowenfield based on that ruling, discarding more than 115,000 votes.

The invalidating of Lowenfield’s report is seen as a key opening for GECOM to proceed with the declaration of the recount result.

David through her attorneys had sought to argue that in accordance with Article 177(4) the Court of Appeal’s decision was final. The CCJ, however, said that her challenge fell outside of this provision and so an appeal to the CCJ was proper.

Article 177(4) states “The Court of Appeal shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine any question as to the validity of an election of a President in so far as that question depends upon the qualification of any person for election or the interpretation of this Constitution; and any decision of that Court under this paragraph shall be final.”

The CCJ pointed out, however, that David’s application proceeded on the premises that, among other matters, a) Order 60 which facilitated the recount had the effect of ushering into the carefully constructed constitutional scheme for elections in Guyana ‘a new and completely different legal regime’; b) GECOM had ‘abdicate[d] its responsibility to determine [the] credibility’ of the elections, a responsibility it had undertaken by the terms of Order 60 and c) the Chairperson’s 16th June directive to the CEO (who by Section 18 of the Elections Laws (Amendment) Act, 2000 is mandated to be subject to the direction and control of the Commission) required the CEO to commit an illegality.

Referencing Article 177(4), Justice Saunders said that no doubt that in instances where the Court of Appeal hears a question concerning the validity of an election of a president, where the question depends on that person’s qualifications or the interpretation of the constitution that such a decision would indeed be final and un-appealable to the CCJ.

He, however, pointed out that David’s challenge had nothing to do with Article 177(4).

He said that in cases such as mounted by David, any question about the validity of any elections must be referred to the High Court under Article 163 and that once the matter commenced in the High Court it was appealable (if necessary) right up to the CCJ as the final court of appeal.

Distinguished

It is this requirement which distinguished David’s challenge from what needed to be satisfied under Article 177 (4) and why her case was regarded to have fallen outside of this article.

By a majority ruling, the local appellate court ruled that it had jurisdiction to hear David’s appeal and in so doing made the insertion of the word “valid” to “more votes cast” in relation to the March 2nd elections.

The CCJ would later point out as Justice of Appeal Rishi Persaud had said in his dissenting judgment in the court below, that David’s application was also premature because Article 177(4) contemplated that before it can be triggered there should be an elected President.

The CCJ observed further that in any event, the jurisdiction to embark on an evidence-based assessment of the validity or credibility of an election is exclusively given to the High Court by Article 163 of the Constitution through an elections petition, and does not fall within the powers of GECOM.

Though the Court of Appeal had granted a stay of its ruling for three days, Justice Saunders described as inexplicable, Lowenfield’s actions of the very next day following the judgment, of submitting another report to GECOM disregarding more than 100,000 ballots.

“Ostensibly basing himself upon the decision of the Court of Appeal majority, he [Lowenfield] took it upon himself to invalidate such votes as he considered ought to be invalidated. This new report of his purported to invalidate well over 100,000 votes that had previously been counted and certified as valid votes within the meaning of the Representation of the People Act,” the CCJ said.

The CCJ noted in its ruling that Order 60 related only to the elections of March 2nd and was specifically introduced to cater for the various disputes and contentions that arose after polling day.

The intention the court said, was to provide an open, transparent, and accountable recount of all the votes cast in those elections and the purpose was to assuage the contestations among the various parties, determine ‘a final credible count,’ and remove certain difficulties or fill certain gaps in connection with the application of the provisions of the Representation of the People Act.

The recount was to be conducted in the presence of representatives of political parties that contested the elections, advisors to and members of GECOM and a range of other personnel. GECOM was to serve as the final arbiter of issues not resolved at lower levels in the established procedure and the CEO was to supervise the recount process, the court pointed out.

The CCJ said that the exclusive jurisdiction of the High Court, through Article 163, to determine, among other matters, any question in relation to whether an election has been lawfully conducted or the result affected by any unlawful act or omission was naturally unaffected by Order 60.

The court made it clear that the Validity Act provides that in a trial initiated by an election petition, the High Court can declare that the number of valid votes cast for a list of candidate differs from the number of votes upon which seats in the National Assembly were allocated, and also that the High Court can order a fresh election in whole or in part.

“There therefore exists a constitutionally mandated and evidence-based open justice process placed under the exclusive jurisdiction of the High Court with a right to appeal, if necessary, to the Court of Appeal and ultimately up to this Court,” the CCJ president said.

“This process, and utilisation of it, are fundamental to the electoral system, the legitimacy of elections and democratic governance in Guyana,” he added.

The apex court said that the jurisdiction conferred by Article 163 is capable of addressing the allegations of irregularities complained of by the incumbent and alluded to by the CEO while stating that he Chairperson of GECOM was therefore perfectly entitled and right to take the position that these allegations, if pursued, should be addressed by an election petition.

On this point the CCJ declared “neither GECOM nor the Court of Appeal is entitled to trespass on the exclusive jurisdiction of the High Court in this regard. The Chairperson was also right to note that GECOM lacks the legislative authority and the machinery to adjudicate those irregularities.”

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CARICOM Chair calls for respect of CCJ ruling, expects declaration `without further delay’

July 9, 2020

singh

New CARICOM Chair Ralph Gonsalves today urged respect of yesterday’s Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruling by all stakeholders and he said he expected an early declaration by GECOM of the result of the March 2nd general elections.

A statement by the CARICOM Chair follows: 
Statement by the Chairman of the  Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Dr. The Honourable Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the  Grenadines, on the ruling by the  Caribbean Court of  Justice

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) welcomes the progress towards the finalisation of the electoral process in Guyana following the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on Wednesday 8 July. The Community calls on all stakeholders to respect the ruling of the CCJ, Guyana’s final court of appeal.

Indeed, the CCJ in the summary judgement aptly stated: “It has been four months since the elections were held and the country has been without a Parliament for well over a year. No one in Guyana would regard this to be a satisfactory state of affairs. We express the fervent hope that there would quickly be a peaceable restoration of normalcy.”

Accordingly, the Court’s ruling should lead to a declaration by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) of the results of the General and Regional Elections held on 2 March 2020, without further delay.

CARICOM commends the continuing patience and calm of the people of Guyana and calls on all stakeholders to respect the rule of law.

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Fmr. President of Liberia warns of devastating effects for Guyana if will of the people not respected

Jul 8, 2020

vote

A former President of Liberia and a Nobel Peace prize winner Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has warned of devastating effects for Guyana if there is no speedy conclusion to the ongoing four-month-long elections process here.

Sirleaf, who served as Liberia’s 24th President and who is also a member of the powerful group ‘The Elders’ founded by Nelson Mandela, on Wednesday reiterated that the group is satisfied that the will of the people was reflected in the March 2, 2020 elections and the national vote recount which showed a victory for Guyana’s opposition party.

She warned that if there are protests across the country because the will of the people is not respected, then there could be chaos and rippling effects for Guyana.

“When that doesn’t happen you cannot control events that would follow because those who conclude that their vote has not been respected will show resistance, sometimes we have to ensure that that resistance is peaceful but no one has control over what happens,” she said during a Zoom interview with Zulfikar Ali, the President of the local chapter of the American Chamber of Commerce.

According to Sirleaf, protests can transcend into dissatisfaction and disillusionment.

“It transcends into people feeling ‘my future has been taken away from me because my vote has not been allowed’ and you’re dealing here with the majority of the people, it’s a recipe for disaster,” she warned.

According to the Nobel Peace prize winner, the internal fight in Guyana will invite external groups to interfere in the work of the country.

“That also invites external groups to come in to penetrate the workings of Government and to take over and then the State loses total control of the management of its resources, of its responses to its people.”

She urged the political leaders in Guyana to cooperate and let the country move on.

“It is a situation that anyone who loves their country, anyone who is interested in the development of their country must do all they can to avoid these tensions, disagreements in elections.

“My appeal to the authorities who manage the affairs of Guyana, my appeal to the people of Guyana please see your country and the progress it has made in these last few years and protect it. Please do not see this situation digress into violence, into destruction because once you get on that path, it’s so difficult to control it and you never know what the final consequences will be.”

She warned that any elections violence will only result in the suffering of the Guyanese people.

“You will cause your own people to suffer, you will cause lasting effects to peoples’ moral, to peoples’ will…to your supporters on the outside who have done everything to get you to this place of progress that will finally see you as being self-destructive.”

The former Liberian President pleaded with the politicians here to see “Guyana bigger than the politics.”

Four months after Guyanese went to the polls, a winner is yet to be cleared as the result, which shows a victory for the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP), has been tied up in legal battles.

The governing APNU+AFC Coalition has refused to concede defeat.

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Lowenfield must ‘prudently and lawfully’ comply with CCJ ruling – Caribbean Elections Lawyer

8th July, 2020

senior-counsel-anthony-astaphan

A leading elections lawyer in the Caribbean, Senior Counsel Anthony Astaphan Wednesday night said Guyana’s Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield has no other option at this point but to comply with the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

Describing the recent actions of Lowenfield as extraordinary and stunning, Astaphan told the News Room in an exclusive interview that the Chief Elections Officer must now produce his elections report to reflect the mathematical count of votes.

The CCJ in its judgment set aside the June 22 ruling of Guyana’s Court of Appeal along with the June 23 report by Lowenfield in which he said he had relied on the Court of Appeal’s ruling which amounted to an interpretation that ‘more votes’ meant ‘more valid votes’.

In that report, Lowenfield took it upon himself to invalidate over 115,000 votes to hand the incumbent APNU+AFC coalition a victory although the certified figures from the national vote recount show a victory for the main opposition People’s Progressive Party.

During the jurisprudential discussion, Astaphan said Lowenfield’s actions amount to an affront to democracy in Guyana and the Caribbean region by extension.

Astaphan, based in Dominica, said Lowenfield would be nothing short of “brazen” to submit the same document again now that the CCJ has rendered it null and void.

“He has nothing now to rely on to pull that stunt again… there is no lawful basis upon which he can try to do that again,” said Astaphan who has litigated more cases of this nature than any other practitioner in the Caribbean.

He said Lowenfield in the first instance had no authority to use the objections made by one political party and without any intervention by the judiciary to invalidate votes on his own accord.

“He now has an obligation to provide the quantitative results of the count because as the CCJ said the core issues of these allegations can only be determined by an elections process triggered by an elections petition,” the Senior Counsel explained.

The well-respected elections lawyer said it is now for the Guyana Elections Commission to declare the results of the election and the winner based on the recount figures.

But equally important, as he puts it, is the respect for the doctrine of separation of powers where he insists that not only will Lowenfield be required to comply with the ruling of the CCJ but also the Executive Government including the President, his Attorney General and by extension the Cabinet.

“What any Executive should do is properly, prudently and lawfully comply with the orders of the court and try not to continue this… exercise that has been going on for four months. The Court has made a clear ruling and there is no other place they can go now with this ruling except to make a determination in the interest of the people of Guyana to comply with the ruling and inevitable consequences,” he added.

GECOM has called a meeting set for 13:00h on Thursday where it will decide on the way forward following the ruling.

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Caribbean social justice NGOs emphasise right to free and fair elections here

July 8, 2020

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A group of Caribbean NGOs have iterated their support for Guyanese to enjoy a free, fair and democratic system of election that expresses the will of the people and have also posited the need for a more inclusionary process of government going forward.

In a press release yesterday, the five NGOs: Caribbean Asso-ciation for Feminist Research and Action, Trinidad and Tobago (CAFRA TT); Hindu Women’s Organisation (HWO); Network of Rural Women Producers, Trinidad and Tobago (NRWPTT); Women’s Institute for Alternative Development (WINAD); and Women’s Re-source and Outreach Centre (WROC), congratulated the people of Guyana for the “admir-able” restraint shown since the March 2 polls.

The group noted that the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) heads of government have been closely engaged in monitoring these elections and have lent the weight of their collective voices and expertise to ending the impasse and having a credible and valid result declared.

It reminded that a CARICOM election observer mission had observed the recounting of the ballots, found that it was conducted with as much precision as possible and reported that, “There was absolutely no hint of bias shown on the part of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) station workers. Their impartiality with respect to the actual vote recount was outstanding.” It added that the mission concluded that the counting of the vote was indeed transparent, and that the recount results were acceptable and should constitute the basis of the declaration of the results of the elections.

Accordingly, the group stated, “We, Caribbean organisations working for gender equality and social justice, add our voices in solidarity with the people of Guyana. We reaffirm the Charter of Civil Society for the Caribbean Community (1997), the compact made between civil society and CARICOM member states.” It was pointed out that the preamble of the Charter, still relevant today, affirms: the right of people to make political choices; to create a truly participatory political environment within the Caribbean Community; and to promote, foster and maintain racial harmony. It added that Article 6 of the Charter states that, “States shall ensure the existence of a fair and open democratic system through the holding of free elections at reasonable intervals, by secret ballot, underpinned by an electoral system in which all can have confidence and which will ensure the free expression of the will of the people in the choice of their representatives.”

The NGOs stated that they were “… encouraged by the clear view that our CARICOM leaders, led by Prime Minister Mia Mottley, have of their collective Caribbean Community responsibilities.” They added that they support the political rights of the people of Guyana, which includes the right to free and fair elections. “Any revocation of the free expression of the will of the people in the choice of their representatives must not be tolerated.”

The group has noted that currently, post-elections Guyana is a “deeply polarised” society with partisan political party/race divides that hurt everyone. And while the group believes that a free, fair, credible and transparent elections result is necessary, it emphasised the  imperativeness of an an inclusionary process, with all political parties and civil society having a seat at the decision-making table, so as to effect meaningful, way-forward dialogue for Guyana as a whole.

This viewpoint, the NGOs feel, is in keeping with the Guyana Constitution, Article 13: Chapter II – Principles and Bases of the Political, Economic and Social System, which states that: “The principal objective of the political system of the State is to establish an inclusionary democracy by providing increasing opportunities for the participation of citizens and their organisations, in the management and decision-making processes of the State, with particular emphasis on those areas of decision-making that directly affect their well-being.”

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UN Resident Coordinator urges restraint by political leaders, supporters

July 3, 2020

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The United Nations Resident Coordinator here Mikiko Tanaka today urged political leaders and their supporters to refrain from acts that could incite hostility and violence as the country awaits an elections-related ruling by the Caribbean Court of Justice on Wednesday.

A statement from the Resident Coordinator follows:

“As the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice is awaited, we call on all political leaders and their supporters to remain patient and refrain from acts and remarks that could incite hostility or violence.  I would like to reiterate the United Nations’ commitment to continue to support the people of Guyana”.

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Int’l Center for Democracy calls for U.S. sanctions against Lowenfield

July 1, 2020

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The International Center for Democracy (ICD) on Wednesday called on the US Government to apply sanctions against Guyana’s Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, for his repeated and fraudulent attempts to undermine the result of the March 2, 2020, presidential election in Guyana.

“Enough is enough,” said ICD Chairman Fazal Yussuff.

“Mr. Lowenfield has continued to brazenly thwart the will of the Guyanese people by refusing to provide, as required by Guyanese law, an accurate account of the results of the recount of the March election.

“We call on the United States government and other friends of Guyana’s democracy to hold him accountable by imposing sanctions on him for undermining the democratic process by disenfranchising more than 115,000 voters,” Mr. Yussuff said.

In 2018, the U.S. sanctioned the President of Nicaragua’s Supreme Electoral Council, Roberto Rivas Reyes, for “perpetuating electoral fraud that undermined Nicaragua’s electoral institutions.”

In Guyana, the March 2nd presidential election has been plagued by on-going controversy since the vote-count was stopped midway through, with the incumbent APNU government trailing and then, when restarted, attempted to show a government win.

After subsequent legal battles, a recount, completed June 7th, confirmed an opposition victory.  However, as Chief Elections Officer, Mr. Lowenfield has continued to thwart an accurate declaration of the results.

In his most recent maneuver, Mr. Lowenfield submitted what he claimed to be a report of the “valid and credible votes” from the March election to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), showing a victory for the incumbent after invalidating almost 25% of the votes casted, but showing no evidence to support his spurious claim.

“The international community must send a strong and unmistakable message to the powers-that-be in Guyana that there is zero tolerance for anti-democratic actions on the part of public officials,” said Mr. Yussuff.  “The survival of Guyana’s democratic institutions depends on it.”

The ICD is a New York-based private, non-profit organisation supported by Guyanese Americans.

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Time for President Granger to concede

July 1, 2020

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Dear Editor,
We, the undersigned, hereby call on President Granger and the APNU/AFC to immediately concede the election held on March 2, 2020, to the PPP/C, and to facilitate the swearing-in of Dr Irfaan Ali as President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.

What we have been witnessing over the past 121 days since Guyanese went to the polls is both a confirmation of the way in which democratic elections are supposed to be run, followed by an attempt to negate democracy, thereby thwarting the will of the Guyanese people. The election itself on March 2, was “perhaps one of the most outstanding, credible and well-run elections” ever witnessed by most of the election observers. Scrutineers from all political parties, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), along with external election observers from several countries, witnessed a process whereby all voters: produced photo identification or their National Identification Card; had their identity verified by a Presiding Officer against a registry of legitimate voters; dipped their index finger in indelible ink to avoid voting duplication; folded their ballot so that the vote remained anonymous; and placed their vote securely into an official ballot box.

The election process was a cumbersome one, but commendably thorough, and every election observer, including those from the two main political parties, was impressed by the calibre and commitment of the Polling Stations’ staff, and by the relatively smooth way in which the entire election was handled.

The tabulation process at each Polling Station was meticulous, credible, and fair, according to the incumbent coalition officials, the opposition party officials, representatives of GECOM, and local and international observers. The Statements of Poll (SoPs) were placed at the entrance of each Polling Station, demonstrating the transparency of the count. There were ten electoral districts and 2339 ballot boxes. The results of the tabulation of votes revealed that 460,352 valid votes were cast in the General Election, with the PPP/C opposition party securing 233,336 votes and the incumbent APNU/AFC coalition receiving 217,920 votes. This result, certified by GECOM, whose mandate it is to determine the final credible count, indicated that the opposition party had clearly won the General Election. Yet, the outcome, as the case in Guyanese elections, was a sound victory for the PPP/C. Based on the certified results of the polls, the PPP/C, with 50.69 per cent of the vote would have 33 seats in Parliament and the APNU/AFC, with 47.34 per cent, would have 31 seats.

Yet, it was only after it became obvious from the SoPs that PPP/C had won the election, that the incumbent party was unhappy with the result and tried to fraudulently change the outcome.
Former Prime Minister of Jamaica, Bruce Golding, who observed the election in Guyana, stated that he had “never seen a more transparent attempt to alter the result of any election”. Owen Arthur, former Prime Minister of Barbados and the Head of the Commonwealth observer team put on record immediately his observation that representatives of the APNU/AFC engaged in fraud and widespread rigging of the election, only after they realised that their party was losing to the Opposition. Mia Mottley (Prime Minister of Barbados), and Ralph Gonsalves (Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines) have also stated that the elections were free and fair, and the recount credible. The Carter Center, one of the most respected organisations when it comes to the observance of national elections around the globe, questioned the change in the tabulation of votes in Region Four, and also expressed concerns about fraud by the APNU/AFC coalition. Similarly, the Organisation of American States Observation Mission noted a change in the vote count in Region Four and in a diplomatic statement concluded that “the process did not reach its proper conclusion as stipulated in the electoral code.”

We note that only after the APNU/AFC realised they were losing the election did their representatives begin to complain about “irregularities” and “fraudulent votes” being cast. Attempts were made to disenfranchise a large number of voters through allegations of voting violations that have not been substantiated. According to the Government-backed Lowenfield report, there are claims of breaches in polling procedures and alleged voter impersonation. Yet, no concrete evidence has emerged to support these allegations. The alleged violations are of the sort that should have been caught by scrutineers of all the political parties present during the voting process and the tabulation of the votes.

Based on all the facts of the election, including the eventual recount, it is evident that the democratic process in Guyana is being undermined by the incumbent APNU/AFC. We, therefore, urge the coalition Government of the APNU/AFC to do the right and honourable thing and concede defeat in this election. We urge President Granger and Prime Minister Nagamootoo to promptly recognise the PPP/C as the winner in this hard-fought and tightly contested election, and congratulate Dr Irfaan Ali as the new President, and Brigadier Gen (Ret’d) Mark A Phillips as the new Prime Minister in a PPP/C Government. It is in the interest of all Guyanese that the APNU/AFC facilitates a smooth transition without further delay in order to uphold and preserve democratic governance in this wonderful country.

We take the judgement and words of several Caribbean leaders seriously. There is no reason to doubt the consensus opinion and veracity of the Caricom observer team, the OAS, the Commonwealth Observation Mission, The Carter Center, the Embassies and Ambassadors of Canada, United Kingdom, European Union, and the United States. Several independent bodies in Guyana, including the Guyana Human Rights Association, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, the Guyana Bar Association, and even partners within the APNU/AFC coalition itself have determined that the 2020 election was free and fair, and that the recount was credible. As Caribbean scholars and scholars with an interest in the region, dedicated to the production of authentic and socially responsible knowledge in our region and beyond, we feel compelled to call on the APNU/AFC to immediately demit office and have the rightful winner, Dr Ifraan Ali, sworn in as President, so that the PPP/C can get on with governing Guyana at this critical time in its history.

Sincerely,
Scholars on Guyana Elections
Dr W Andy Knight (University of Alberta); Dr Faeis Jafar, (University of the West Indies); Dr E J Persaud (State University of New York); Dr Horace Bartilow (University of Kentucky); Mr Winston Dookeran (Author/former Deputy PM of Trinidad & Tobago); Dr Prem Podar (Roskilde University, Denmark); Dr Percy Hintzen (Florida International University); Dr Tarron Khemraj (University of South Florida); Dr Clarence Lusane (Howard University)

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