More recount stations could be facilitated under tents

Dear Editor,

It was appalling to read the advisory from the Chairman of the National Task Force for COVID-19 to the GECOM Chairperson, implying boldly that the national recount is not an “essential” activity. Thankfully, His Excellency, President Granger intervened and overrode this decision.

I wish to point out that I am happy that the GECOM Chairperson is concerned about safety and transparency of the recount process. As an esteemed retired Judge, it goes without saying that she ought to have a deep appreciation and understanding for the urgency in the interest of national importance amidst the current pandemic and political deadlock – to get on with the recount most urgently and efficiently.

To this end, I am trying to comprehend the logic for the limit of 10 workstations using COVID-19 guidelines as the reason for this. However, as a humble suggestion to GECOM and the relevant stakeholders, it is worthy to consider that the Arthur Chung Convention Centre is a fairly huge building and has a fairly huge compound wherein I believe tents can be set up outside of the building and inside of the compound to increase the number of workstations for this recount.

The reasoning behind this suggestion is very simple – that is, on elections day, similar arrangements were made to facilitate voting where counting of votes also took place without any dispute or controversy. Therefore, in my mind, this is a worthy option to consider within a contained environment.

Yours faithfully,

JC Bhagwandin, MSc., Exec Ed.

MBA Lecturer & Consultant, JB

Consultancy & Associates