IN light of the COVID-19 pandemic, occurring simultaneously with Guyana’s elections period, Leader of the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), Lennox Shuman, has requested that the national recount be live streamed. Shuman made the request to the Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Monday by way of letter.

In any counting or tabulation process, the law allows for the presence of party representatives but, considering the current importance of social distancing to flatten the curve of the virus, Shuman said that a live stream may be the best option.

“Against this backdrop and in recognition of the events that transpired at the RO’s Office for District number Four from March 3, 2020 to March 15, 2020, the Liberty and Justice Party is hereby recommending that the Guyana Elections Commission swiftly adopts a policy that the: media must be present and provide live broadcast at/of the recount. This provides the absolute greatest degree of transparency that would instill public confidence in the process and the results of these elections,” he put forward.

To justify the request, he citied with Article 161 (B) of the Constitution of Guyana, which states: “It is hereby declared that the role of political parties and their nominees in the conduct of elections by the elections commission shall be limited to their participation in determining policy, monitoring the electoral process and the conduct of the election, but does not include active management of the electoral process.”

Shuman said that while the severity of the pandemic is understood, the absence of a conclusion of the elections period can severely impact the nation’s ability to respond. He said that all parties have shown an interest in the recount, thecCourts have been clear on GECOM’s ability to do so and the recount should proceed aggressively without delay.

However, added to this, the LJP leader has requested that District Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, and Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO), Roxanne Myers, be excluded from the process. “Considering the public’s and political parties’ interactions or lack thereof with Mr. Mingo and Ms. Myers, we further recommend that Mr. Mingo and Ms. Myers play no part in these recount as their previous actions stand to diminish and undermine the good work and integrity of the Guyana Elections Commission,” he stated.

Most of the opposition parties have criticised Mingo and questioned his motives since the breakdown in the tabulation of the Region Four Statements of Poll (SoPs) on March 4, 2020.

It mirrors the request of People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Executive Member, Anil Nandlall, who stated recently that Mingo was “part of the problem”.

Meanwhile, they have shown contempt against Myers for her following of instructions given by the GECOM Chair to close the District Four tabulation centre on High and Hadfield Streets and the designated recount facility at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre. Shuman said that his party looks forward to an “urgent undertaking” of the matter.