…agents trade words over process

By Gabriella Chapman

SINCE the commencement of the national recount last Wednesday, the hot topic has been the findings of the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) of irregularities in the voting process, which that party has pinned on the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

On Tuesday, the seventh day of the recount, these findings continue to be the matter of contention between the two major parties. PPP/C continues to be bothered by the observations being raised by the APNU+AFC, while the APNU+AFC maintains that every ballot must be scrutinised.

The first person to engage the media on the matter was PPP agent, Ganga Persaud, who sought to make his case as to why these observations should be disregarded by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). In addition to contributing to a slothful process, Persaud said that these allegations are discrediting every person that was involved in the elections on Elections Day. And for that, these observations being voiced, should be excluded.

In fact, he said that the APNU+AFC should “stop crying foul and discrediting the process.” “The process that is unfolding with the calling of the serial numbers is discrediting everyone who participated in elections March 2, 2020.
These objections are seeking to introduce an element of accusation and discrediting of all these peopleÖ.î Persaud told the media.

He went on to justify that “elections day work is not an easy task. People will leave their homes at 3 AM and get back at midnight and after that. And then for you to say that these persons are perpetuating irregularities. It’s a terrible accusation and allegation to be made against anyone. What we have found in these ballot boxes would have reflected that these people went out there to do a dedicated and honest job and thatís what they did. Because when you compare the SORs with the SOPs that were claimed by some of the parties, including PPP/C, you find so much commonality and agreement with the results declaredÖ When you look at the process therefore, the people who would have given their all, who are very dedicated and committed to what they went out there to do, did it very honestly, are now being accused by people who have lost all semblance of integrity, honesty and decency that they have done something wrong.”

Persaud continued rambling on about the allegations being deliberate attempts to waste time on objections. He said that the observation period is to record things that happened at the recount station, and not what happened on March 2.

Meanwhile, APNU+AFC agent, Leonard Craig, maintained his position that the coalition is adamant about continued scrutiny in the national recount of the March 2, 2020 elections. He said that the daily pattern of the PPP/C is noticeable, and that is to reduce the level of scrutiny. “Right now PPP/C agents are advocating for a reduction of scrutiny, right down to the authenticity of every ballot… The APNU+AFC is not in agreement with such a decision and we will strenuously oppose that decision. We want full scrutiny of every single ballot, documents in every ballot boxÖ PPP/C is even asking that some envelopes not be opened,” Craig said.

He voiced that he and his party understand that their scrutiny is time-consuming, and they are not disagreeing with a faster flow, but in the same breath would like the process be as credible as possible. “We cannot afford to cut corners to save time. We are not opposing a more rapid count, but we cannot sacrifice thoroughness for speed. And if we want to have a result that is credible, let us take the time to go through every piece of document… People are saying we are making objections, the word objections is ill-placed. We are making observations. That is the reason for the observation reports, and we have the evidence to attest,” Craig emphasised.

The saga continues today.