…says entity reduced to mere stooge for the PPP/C

The coalition A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) has put on notice the “absolute hypocrisy” in the “simplistic posture” taken by the the Private Sector Commission (PSC) regarding its recent stance that a national  recount of the ballots cast at the March 2, 2020 regional and general elections should be confined only to Region Four and that the entire exercise would be a ‘waste of time’.

In addition, the APNU+AFC notes that the position uttered by the PSC, which is chaired by Captain Gerry Gouveia, has removed the veil of neutrality which the body ought to be cloaked in, adding that it’s  latest position reduces the body to be a mere stooge for the Opposition Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

On Sunday , Gouveia advocated for a national recount of the ballots.”Plain and simple. Count every single vote in every single box in every single region in a transparent manner under the supervision of international and local observers,” he declared on Sunday.

On Friday, Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) said that the body has agreed to a recount of the ballots cast in each of the ten administrative regions, starting from Region One to Region Ten.The commission has also advocated for a high-level team from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to return to observe the recount process.

On Sunday, a ruling by the Court of Appeal nixed the role of the regional body in surprising the ballot recount by GECOM commissioner, Vincent Alexander told reporters on Monday that re-inviting the CARICOM team is necessary to add credibility to the process.

On Monday, the PSC stunned many in the public domain , when the said it would be an entire waste of time for GECOM to recount the ballots cast in all ten regions since it found “absolutely no evidence to suggest that the declaration of the election results was not credible and in compliance with the electoral laws in all the Districts except District 4.”

The PSC said its view is bolstered “by the fact that none of the several other international Observer Teams reported any irregular or unlawful conduct in respect of any other aspect of the electoral process other than the tabulation and declaration of the results of District 4 by Returning Officer Mingo.”

According to the APNU+AFC, the PSC’s stance arrived after the electoral body clearly communicated to the Guyanese public, their intention to for a national recount.

“We draw to the attention of all Guyanese, PSC’s insistence that only a recount of District Four be undertaken and their condemnation of a total recount as an “entire waste of time”

The Coalition wishes to point out the absolute hypocrisy of this position, given that Guyanese from District 1 – Barima/Waini to District 10 -Upper Demerara/ Berbice would have exercised their franchise and should too be granted the assurance that their votes are accounted for.  Afterall, any government elected in the Co-operative Republic of Guyana would be a government of ALL the people,” the coalition said.

It said that the posture of the PSC not only “abrogates the transparency they claim to seek, but has removed the veil of neutrality in which it ought to be cloaked and incontrovertibly identifies that entity as a mere stooge of the Opposition PPP/C.”

The coalition, which is one of the major parties which contested the polls, noted that it is now obvious to all that the political bias of the PSC does not even allow that body to acknowledge that there were discrepancies in other Districts, which led to the APNU+AFC asking for a recount in Districts 3 and 6 amongst others which was refused by Returning Officers at those districts.

“The PSC has demonstrated in no small measure, their contempt for and underestimation of the intelligence of the Guyanese people, who understand that a total recount is the only true measure of complete transparency,” the APNU+AFC said.

The multi-party coalition said that it is in this spirit that President David Granger initiated the efforts for a total recount of the votes and has maintained the position that GECOM must be allowed to operate without interference, intimidation and in accordance with the laws of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

“The Coalition awaits GECOM’s direction on the conduct of the recount which we hope will include an audit of the contents of each ballot box and which we are certain will take into consideration the current prevailing circumstances in which the country is engulfed, including the COVID-19 pandemic,” the APNU+AFC said as it maintained that it continues to be confident of its victory at the polls and like the rest of the nation, looks forward to a declaration in that regard.