THE People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has called for a recount of ballots at 35 polling stations in Georgetown and 13 on the East Bank of Demerara, according to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Public Relations Officer, Vishnu Persaud.
He made the disclosure at the commission second media briefing yesterday at the media centre at the Pegasus Hotel, where he stated that this will most certainly impact on the declaration of the results by the Chief Elections Officer, Gocool Boodoo.
He pointed out that the request for a recount may have been because the party’s polling agents were unable to witness the ballot count; however, he declined to comment further on the matter.

Persaud pointed out that it is the party’s right to request a recount.

HASTY
He said that some in the political arena have acted hastily by posting misleading messages via the social network, including Facebook, which have announced victory for their party.
He made it clear that the only accurate and genuine results of the 2011 general and regional elections can be relayed by the Chief Elections Officer.
According to him, updates are posted on the television for public consumption and any additional information or clarifications can be had from the Chief Elections Officer.
Up to 15:00hrs yesterday, only nine per cent of the votes had been tallied and verified putting:
o A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) in the lead with 24,949 votes;
o The PPP/C in second place with 22,681 votes;
o The Alliance for Change (AFC) third, with 4,820 votes;
o The United Force (TUF) with 134 votes; and
o The East Berbice Development Association (EBDA), which contested only the regional election, with 46 votes.

STILL COUNTING
Persaud stated that the process is taking some time, but contends that it is in keeping with efficiency.
He told media operatives that up to 15:00hrs, SOPs were still not received from Regions 1 (Barima/ Waini), 7 (Cuyuni/ Mazaruni), 8 (Potaro/ Siparuni) and 9 (Upper Takutu/ Upper Essequibo).
According to him, the SOPs were all expected to be in Georgetown between 15:30hrs and 18:00hrs yesterday.
“GECOM is still in the process of completing the compilation of the results of the elections. As this is being done, updates will be provided…the results being published by GECOM can be relied upon, based on several tiers of verification,” Persaud assured.