THE Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has commended President David Granger and Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, for finding common ground on a way forward for a national recount of ballots cast in the General and Regional Elections.

The Commission has also lauded CARICOM for its role in overseeing the process and is optimistic that the initiative will bring a conclusion to the current challenges.

“This, the Commission believes, would bring an amicable end to the current political impasse which has resulted in a non-declaration of credible final results even as two weeks have elapsed since Guyanese went to the polls to choose a government of their choice. The decision also demonstrates that meaningful and genuine collaboration across the political aisle is achievable and vital to help resolve inherent differences and challenges,” the ERC said in a Monday release.

Meanwhile, being a Constitutional organ established to promote the elimination of all forms of discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, the ERC welcomed the move as having “tremendous potential to heal the current unwelcome and prevailing divide among our people”.

Members of the media have noticed an increase in racial tension especially on social media since the stalemate arose from the contentious Region Four declarations.

The Commission reiterated its call for all Guyanese to act responsibly; to demonstrate tolerance, respect and restraint especially during this period.

It stated: “The Commission takes this opportunity to commend President Granger and Mr. Jagdeo for being able to find common ground to move forward in the best interest of Guyana and Guyanese; CARICOM’s Chairperson, Honourable Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, for supporting Guyana during this difficult time, for mediating between our political leaders and for assembling the team supervising the recount and the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission Justice (Rtd) Claudette Singh, for facilitating the process.”

The ERC also took note that the stakeholders involved have pledged to abide by the findings providing the integrity of the ballot boxes is not compromised.