THE contrast between the rhetoric and behaviours of the APNU+AFC Coalition’s leaders and the people who run the opposition PPP could not be sharper or more obvious than is at the present time. While the self-appointed head of the PPP rants, raves, attacks people in a distasteful and personal manner, and even spouts expletives on national television, the elected President, David Granger, has conducted himself with dignity and Statesman-like decorum, while repeatedly emphasising the supremacy of the rule of law. In addition to those undeniable facts, this publication wishes to highlight a few pertinent truths.

It was the APNU+AFC Coalition that sincerely wanted a full recount and forensic audit of the results of the March 2 elections, not the PPP. The reason for that is evident; even before the close of poll, the PPP was already claiming — without any evidence whatsoever — that the APNU+AFC was perpetrating fraud. When, in truth, it was the PPP that was doing everything possible to rig the process, a fact that has been explored in detail in a previous editorial. Any objective observer would agree that the actions of President David Granger in desiring a full recount of all electoral districts are not the actions of a man who has anything to hide. The APNU+AFC evidently want full disclosure, transparency, and credible results.

On the other hand, the PPP’s conduct demonstrates beyond any doubt that that party has no interest in credible elections. The opposition PPP has fought tooth and nail against a clean-up of the voters’ list, even though it was obviously bloated beyond belief. How could Guyana, with a population of only some 740,000 people have more than 600,000 eligible voters; the notion would be laughably ludicrous if the matter were not such a serious one. There is other evidence, too, of the PPP attempts to rig the process. For example, once a recount was agreed upon by GECOM,  returning officers affiliated with the PPP from Essequibo Islands-West Demerara (Region # 3), and East Berbice- Corentyne (Region # 6) wanted to resign and probably run for the border. Could it be that they were afraid that their attempts to rig Guyana’s elections would be revealed by a full recount and audit? Were they afraid of criminal charges?

Could it be the bigger heads at PPP headquarters are still afraid of what a recount may reveal? After all, they are clearly, continuously, doing everything possible to stymie, obstruct, and derail the democratic process. From the juvenile boycotts, to the unjustified protests, from the frivolous legal shenanigans to the hiring of Mercury, a US based firm that allegedly, illegally interfered in the electoral process in the US’s last presidential election, from the PPP’s flip-flopping on its own policy positions to the outrageous propaganda coming from that party’s officials. Everything indicates that the PPP is terrified of scrutiny.

In spite of the PPP’s reprehensible, personal threats to officials of the APNU+AFC and their families, notwithstanding the reality that the PPP is constantly ‘moving the goal-posts,’ maligning every aspect of the recount process, and even physically attacking persons, and, incredibly, a school bus, despite the bullying of GECOM officials, the recount must, and will happen. After all, Guyana, since the APNU+AFC Coalition has been elected in 2015, is a true democracy in which the rule of law is supreme. Overseas-based CARICOM observers are now in our country, and, the full recount will become a reality, regardless of the unlawful and otherwise ridiculous machinations of the PPP. Guyanese may be assured of full transparency and credibility under the leadership of President David Granger who has promised that for as long as he remains in office, Guyana will be guided by the constitution and the rule of law.