THERE IS A CLEAR PRECEDENT FOR CARICOM’S INVOLVEMENT IN DISPUTED REGIONAL AND NATIONAL ELECTIONS IN GUYANA

THE involvement of our regional partners in settling major elections issues should be welcomed. We are founding members of Caricom and Secretariat is located in our capital city. Above all, Guyana is a signatory to the Caricom Charter on Democracy; it behooves us to be exemplary in our interaction with this regional body. However, it does not matter how magnanimous and well-intentioned initiatives to bring an end to electoral conflict are, if those efforts are not solidly grounded in law, we might be taking several steps backward.

REGIONAL AND NATIONAL ELECTIONS 1997

The regional and national elections of 1997 mirror what occurred on March 2nd, 2020. Guyana’s General elections were held on December 15, 1997. The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) won 29 out of 53 Seats, the People’s National Congress (PNC) garnered 22 Seats, The United Force (TUF) gained 1 Seat and the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) acquired 1 Seat; voter turnout was 88.4%. Following the 15th December 1997 elections, the Opposition protested with vigour through the streets, citing numerous instances of wanton fraud and rigging. These protests were so massive and impactful, the international and regional community took notice and both parties were brought to the negotiating table. Under the aegis of Dr. Kenny Anthony, Prime Minister of St. Lucia and Chairman of Caricom, a deal was brokered between the major parties and several broad measures were agreed. This process provided a clear precedent for Guyana should the need arise, such need manifested in the 2020 regional and national elections.

THE HERMANSTON ACCORD
The disputed 1997 elections resulted in widespread violence through the streets of Georgetown. The People’s National Congress felt the need to forcefully make their case and gain the attention of the region and the world. The sting of People’s Progressive Party’s candidate being sworn in when the count was not complete did not go down well with the residents of Georgetown. This regional body stepped in and the result was the Herdmanston Accord of January 17th, 1998, signed by Desmond Hoyte and President Janet Jagan. The 9-page document outlined its role and provided guidance for an election audit and several important agreements between the two leaders of the major parties. These arrangements considered the fact that Caricom’s role must be enshrined in law, hence there was a need for a President to be sworn in and the party with the majority heading to Parliament to pass legislation to facilitate Caricom’s involvement.

THE ELECTORAL AUDIT (CARICOM AGREEMENT) ACT 1998
Speaking grandiloquently to empty Opposition benches in the Guyana Parliament Monday, 16th of March 1998 at 2:00 PM, Charles Ramson Sr., PPP/C Parliamentarian, stated. ‘I wish to a assure those Members of the House who may not have had the benefit of any legal training that the bill does not seek to tie the hands of the court in any election petition that is filed to challenge the validity of the outcome of those elections.’ The Caricom Audit Bill was debated in a heated environment with cacophonic protesting sounds emerging from the Stabroek Market area. At the end of that debate, Guyana had an Act which laid a clear pathway for disputed elections that required the intervention of the Caribbean Community. Act 1 No. 1 of 1998, Electoral Audit (Caricom Agreement) Act 1998 states ‘An Act to provide for the conduct of the independent electoral audit provided for in the Caricom Agreement..’. It is quite reasonable to conclude that the framers of this legal instrument were cognizant of the fact that the Representation of the People’s Act did not cater for reviews of much consequence outside an election petition, hence the need to codify any such arrangement in law.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp
All our printed editions are available online
emblem3
Subscribe to the Guyana Chronicle.
Sign up to receive news and updates.
We respect your privacy.