Dear Editor,
IT is evident that the CARICOM Mission’s observation on the entire recount process of the March 02 national and regional elections in Guyana will be a most key determinant as to how these elections were really held.

To further understand their role in this most significant political occurrence at this seminal juncture of the nation’s history, one must be reminded of the significant description, given by the Community’s ambassador to the Organisation of American States(OAS), that the three-person validating team is “THE MOST LEGITIMATE INTERLOCUTORS” in the recount process.

One certainly interprets this to mean that its requested presence, of course supported by the entire Community, gives it pre-eminence; and that it stands tall above every other foreign presence. It is the HEART AND BACKBONE OF THE RECOUNT PROCESS.
Therefore, we understand that its importance and role in the final determination of the question of the validity of the Recount of the March 02 votes is no mere coincidence, but a solemn undertaking which will also place the moral credibility of the Caribbean Community and all that it represents on trial.

One is not here seeking to advise, in any way, how the Team must conduct its work; however, it will be remiss of me not to remind the group of a few things.

First, it is fully aware of the interference of external players, in all guises, in alliance with internal elements, in our internal affairs in a manner that has caused more harm than good. It would also be aware that those forces, have sought to exert pressures, for a certain desirable outcome, via a consistent attack on our sovereignty, most of all on the Executive, and on the electoral commission – GECOM.

Second, it is these elements of external intrusion, of which the CARICOM group must be wary, and not fall prey to its variable pressures. For it must remember, that in its current mission and undertaking, that its first responsibility must be to the people of Guyana, who will have to live with the consequences of whatever decision(s) it has made. And in underlining this fact, this group needs not be reminded that its morality must be about truth, which it must satisfy. This means applying this requirement to the actual manifestation of what has been endemic in all of the electoral districts, as originating from the ballot boxes. It must not, in any way seek to gloss over, or obfuscate, the very troubling and alarming findings which it would have been encountering on each day of its presence at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) work-stations.

Thirdly, in carrying out this function, the CARICOM Mission is hereby reminded that its pronouncement must only satisfy ITS REASONS FOR BEING HERE: TO VALIDATE THE RECOUNT PROCESS, IN TERMS OF ITS CREDIBILITY ON THE BALLOTS CAST -HOW THIS HAD BEEN DONE. THIS, IT MUST PRONOUNCE ON IN AN OBJECTIVE AND IMPARTIAL MANNER, AND NOT TO THE WHIMS AND FANCIES OF ANY EXTERNAL POWER(S).
Its findings, if done in the spirit and letter of their mandate in the proper required manner, can benefit this country and eventually CARICOM in multiple ways.

Regards,
Carlotta Mendonca