WITH the deadline for the completion of the National Recount slowly approaching, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), to date, has processed some 1,124 ballot boxes.
On Sunday, Day 19 of the National Recount of the General and Regional Elections, votes within 75 ballot boxes were recounted, taking the overall number of boxes processed to date to 1,124. Of the boxes processed on Sunday, 15 were from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 19 from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); 14 from Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); 20 from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); and seven from Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

In expressing his disappointment with the day’s proceedings, Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Executive Member Anil Nandlall stated that he is awaiting a response from the Elections Commission on several proposals the party has made.
“Today has been a very slow day, unfortunately. By the end of today, we would have not completed 80 boxes; we would have fallen short to about 77, and that is very, very disappointing,” Nandlall told reporters.

With six days now left before the deadline expires, the PPP/C is suggesting that the duration of the recount be extended for no more than a week, along with the use of additional stations to speed up the process.

However, last week, the COVID-19 Task Force had only approved two from a proposed six, taking the total number of workstations to 12. But the Elections Commission now wants to establish two more to increase the number of ballot boxes processed on a daily basis. Clearance from the Task Force is needed, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the emergency measures instituted by the government to keep the disease under control.