GECOM must account for billions of misspent dollars

Dear Editor,

IT cannot be denied that the Guyana Elections Commission has spent billions of dollars during the 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2020 Elections and the ‘Lone Ranger’ Chief Elections Officer is yet to answer the Auditor General’s queries.

The purchasing of millions of dollars in equipment, stationery, hiring of staff and giving out of phantom contracts must be fully investigated. Billions of dollars were abused and misspent during a spending spree for the senior staff. Further, billions were lost by our Guyanese people whose livelihoods came to a standstill during the deliberate elections crises from March to August 2020.

Guyana suffered international infamy as the entire world was looking on as the PNC/APNU attempted to steal the National and Regional Elections. The lawlessness that took place from March to August last year must never be allowed to happen again.

The ‘rogue elements’ in GECOM usurped unknown powers and humiliated commissioners and international observers. They must be accountable for the millions of dollars that the GECOM secretariat spent on food, drinks, transportation, lawyers fees, and the hiring of phantoms to commits acts of terrorism. Political activists and leaders of the communities were threatened and were scared to be in the streets.

Our children were kept away from schools, commuters were afraid to travel, the business communities were forced to close their doors. Our farmers were afraid to take their products to the established market places. The memoires of that dreadful five months continue to haunt our nation. Our Guardian of Democracy will live on forever. We will never forget Mark Wayne Xavier, their dedication to the cause, patriotism and un-flinching support to our struggle must strengthen our resolve to demand that all the fraudsters and riggers be condemned condignly.

Ever since, the passing of the no-confidence motion on that historic night, 21st December, 2018, the PNC/APNU+AFC took advantage of the courts’ in Guyana. They relished using the judiciary to stay in power. However, the total amount paid with taxpayers’ money to Mercury/CosbyTextor, to JJ&B and LLC must be cleared in the public eyes. Basil Williams’ statement to the OAS on July 22, 2020, the sanctions, the no-confidence motion that APNU took to the CCJ, costing hundreds of millions and all other expenses that were incurred during that time must be fully investigated and revealed to the public.

As the notorious trio continue to face the courts and are slapped with more electoral fraud charges, this nation must continue to call for a full investigation into the likes of Sherfern February, Enrique Livan, Denise Bobb-Cummings and Michelle Miller et al. Staff members at GECOM must be accountable and work in a transparent way. GECOM must cleanse itself and remove all those who were part and parcel of the ‘Gang” that attempted to rig and then derail the 2020 National and Regional Elections.
Billions of taxpayers’ dollars were abused and there is no accountability. Guyanese’ human and constitutional rights were trampled upon and this nation is waiting patiently for justice.

Yours sincerely,
Neil Kumar

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