Dear Editor
THE Guyana Action Party (GAP), member of the APNU+AFC Coalition, is pleased with the Court of Appeal’s judgement, handed down on the 23rd June, 2020. The judgement vindicates what the Coalition has consistently stated, that the determination of a final and credible count of votes could not only involve a mere counting of votes but an assessment of the validity and credibility of votes, as contemplated by order No. 60 of 2020. GAP has taken careful note of the interpretation of the Court of Appeal of the words “more votes cast” to mean “more valid votes cast” within the meaning of Order No. 60 of 2020. It is therefore pellucid that only valid votes can produce  credible elections results.

The recount process showed beyond a shadow of a doubt that tens of thousands of votes could not be deemed valid or credible because of fraud, discrepancies and irregularities. There were multiple cases of dead persons and migrated persons documented as having voted, which is voter impersonation. These are clearly not valid votes. In addition, there were missing ballots, unstamped ballots, missing poll books, unsigned and missing oaths of identity, more ballots than electors, among other irregularities.

As we await the final declaration and swearing of President David A. Granger as leader of the country for a second term, we take this opportunity to laud his excellent leadership and that of his team which has guided us astutely through these last five years of extreme challenges. During this period, he has guided us safely through the NCM betrayal and the yet-to-be concluded 2020 electoral process, where forces within and outside of Guyana has been unsuccessful in their efforts to thwart the will of the Guyanese people in their continued struggle for social equity, social justice and to safeguard our fledgling democracy.
GAP calls on the Guyana Elections Commission to carry out its legal duty and complete its work to ensure that credible results are declared only on valid votes cast in the 2020 Elections.

Regards
GAP National Executive Committee