President has full confidence in elections machinery
President, David Granger
President, David Granger

EXPRESSING confidence in chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), President David Granger believes that the work of the commission can now move forward as the body is properly constituted.

He told reporters Friday that the allegations levelled against the new chairman, Justice (ret’d) James Patterson are unsubstantiated. The opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is of the view that Justice Patterson was appointed by President Granger with the intention to ultimately rig the upcoming 2020 General Elections.

“I have every confidence in the chairman in the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and many unsubstantiated claims and allegations have been made,” he said, noting that both the government and opposition have three commissioners each sitting on the commission.

“As far as I am concerned, the commission is properly constituted and I would obviously make sure that nothing is done to have any improperly conducted elections,” the head-of-state assured, while noting that his administration could not have waited any longer to appoint a GECOM chairman.

“…The way the commission is structured, you have vigilance on both sides. So I am confident, I don’t have to restore confidence, the confidence is there and I would urge Guyanese to support the work of the commission,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the President made it clear that he has no intention to rigging an election as some would perceive.

“I have never rigged an election in my life; I have no intention of ever doing so,” he said, while noting that as far as he knows the ideals of the late Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham were far removed from such illegal activities.

The President, who is leader of the Peoples National Congress (PNC), would often- times reference some of the ideals of the former President.

“Whenever I spoke of Mr Burnham I spoke of the ideals which are part of the party which he founded, the PNC. I spoke of his commitment to education and the construction of the various multilateral schools; infrastructure, airport, housing — I think he has made a contribution and I have no compunction admitting that those are ideals which have served the nation well,” President Granger declared.

He noted that Guyana developed significantly from 1964 to 1974.
“I have always referred to those achievements. But for rigging of elections I don’t see how that is applicable to anything I have said or intend to do.”

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