The nation has faith in democracy and the GECOM Chair

Dear Editor,
The nation puts its faith in democratic election and the country’s future on GECOM Chair, Claudette Singh. As the will of the electorate is threatened from a biased report that suggests voiding the election or throwing hundreds of thousands of legitimate votes, the nation feels the Chair will preserve the vote of everyone and protect democracy. The chair has too much at stake. Her reputation as a fair minded person is on the line. A large majority places confidence in the Chair that she will accept the recount to protect the will of the electorate and in so doing save democracy.

A large majority also says she must ignore Lowenfield’s report that has been described as “biased” and “lacking merit”. This is the latest finding of the ongoing opinion survey being conducted by this writer on the inconclusive election that was held on March 2.

It has been over three months since the election and there is no official declaration. The Chair is expected to pronounce on the results on June 16. The nation is tense anxious for a declaration to bring closure to the process.Based on the recount and the tabulation of statements that were completed a week ago, the opposition PPP came out on top by some 15,461 votes over the coalition APNU+AFC.

The Chief Election Officer, Lowenfield, of GECOM questions the credibility of the elections, pointing to anomalies and allegations. But the survey’s respondents note that he offered no supporting evidence to substantiate the claims.It is noted that the Chair has not been attacked. She still commands respect among a large majority of the population because she has stood on the side of voters. She was hesitant in a declaration after March 2 and was very cautious about which side won. She approved the recount to clear any doubts of a winner earning the gratitude of a suspicious nation.

The Chair has the deciding vote in a polarized Elections Commission whose voting has been 3-3 on expected partisan line.
The Chair often had to break the tie in several votes. She often sided with the government, but also took critical decisions in support of the opposition position like ending house-to-house registration, lessening the number of days for a recount, and accepting ballots from the recount where documents were missing from boxes.

The nation, the region, and the world are anticipating a declaration of the results on Tuesday. There is much debate and discussion on what GECOM will do and more specifically on how the Chair will vote. The Chair is under spotlight on which side she will cast her vote – to accept the recount and declare the winner as per the publicly viewed count or accept the CEO’s recommendation that election not credible and void it. The international community says the latter position will trigger sanctions (including freezing of bank accounts and cancellations of visas) of individuals, businesses, and the country at large.

The Chair’s reputation is on the line. There is debate on whether she will take a pro-Lowenfield decision that would destroy her legacy of a career of distinguished jurisprudence or whether she would go down as the defender of the will of the electorate and for the right for every ballot to be counted.

The popularity of the Chair has been rising in recent weeks ever since she agreed to do the recount, completing it, and accepting ballots from boxes where documents were missing. The Chair received near unanimous approval in not punishing the voters (not nullifying their votes) over polling officials’ negligence in their duties to follow post-count protocols. She accepted all ballots where statements were missing from boxes.

Almost every voter feels the Chair would put Guyana first and make the right decision in bringing the electoral process to a completion. They are confident she would not fall for threats. Some two-thirds of voters feel she has no choice but to use the recount to make a declaration.Voters are confident she will respect the will of the electorate. But many say that as she does so, she must lecture the parties for the need to work together for the good of the country. They say cooperation from both parties is needed for national development.

The winner must approach governance differently from the past. There must be inclusive governance.

Yours truly,
Dr. Vishnu Bisram