–GECOM Commissioners, PPP/C Executive Secretary say APNU+AFC should never be allowed to repeat actions of 2020
–urge Guyanese to be vigilant

MARCH 2 will forever be an infamous date etched into the minds of Guyanese both at home and those in the diaspora, who remember it for the notorious events that followed this date in 2020 that marked the start of what would be a harrowing, dragged out five-month long process in one of the most blatant attacks on democracy.

As Guyana’s Regional and General Elections began one early Monday morning three years ago, thousands of Guyanese ventured out to exercise their right in a process that many anticipated to last a week at best.

“Persons voted in what was a peaceful uneventful day, but clearly there was an attempt by some very deranged minds, who got together and decided they were going to subvert the electoral process. Depriving the electorate of their will,” Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Commissioner, Sase Gunraj recalls.

However, with the then A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) government refusing to relinquish power for over a year since the passage of a no-confidence motion against them, the refusal remained staunch even after the hosting of the national elections. And a five-month long battle against democracy ensued.

Now, some three years since that fated day occurred, and with the passage of amendments to the National Registration Act (NRA) and Representation of the People Act (ROPA), many Guyanese are healing and beginning to let the March 2, 2020 and subsequent events ebb away.

But it remains a reality that this ill-fated day should never be forgotten.

“I myself wish it never happened, so I didn’t have to forget it. But those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it,” Gunraj Said.

As a Commissioner on the elections body, Gunraj had a front row seat to the entire debacle as it unfolded, month after painstaking month.

Then People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Chief Scrutineer, Zulfikar Mustapha, also could not believe what played out before his very eyes. And given the work that many tireless civil soldiers played in upholding Guyana’s democracy, he too believes Guyanese must never forget lest they give unscrupulous characters a window to repeat it.

“On the observance of the third anniversary of those elections and with freedom restored, we must never forget the disgrace the APNU+AFC coalition brought to our country and people. I urge that together we endeavour to ensure they never get the opportunity to repeat such atrocities,” Mustapha said.

During that five-month period, the glaring attempts by the then APNU+AFC coalition government to steal the elections and deny the will of the Guyanese people, unashamedly unfolded in real time for all to see.

“They were ably assisted by their cohorts nestled within the secretariat of GECOM. In their attempts to rig those elections, they trampled upon the constitutional processes that are enshrined to protect and effect free and fair elections,” Mustapha said.

On the fated day, for nine of the 10 constituents, Districts One, Two, Three, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine and 10 the tabulation process would go smoothly, with preliminary results released by the next day.

But in District Four, where almost one-third of the voting population resides, mayhem unfolded. Following the declarations of fraudulent results, there were attempts to swear in APNU+AFC presidential candidate, David Granger. However, those efforts were impeded by an injunction by the High Court to blocking the declaration of the overall results of the elections until the issues in Region Four could be heard and determined.

With efforts led by Bharrat Jagdeo, PPP/C General Secretary, the period saw Guyanese from all strata of society standing up to safeguard their democracy and their freedom to choose a government of their choice.

Those efforts were supported by a number of local and international observer groups and diplomatic missions.

“Our country was in the international spotlight for the reasons as the selfish actions of the APNU+AFC coalition tarnished Guyana’s image,” Mustapha said.

Head of the OAS observer mission at the elections, Bruce Golding, stated that he had “never seen a more transparent attempt to alter the results of an election.”

Facing regional and international pressure, Granger subsequently agreed to a countrywide recount, which was not completed until June.

The results of the recount showed the PPP/C party as having a significant lead over the APNU+AFC. But even with this shown clear as day, the APNU+AFC and their associates concocted a plan to delay the swearing in of PPP/C Presidential Candidate, Dr. Irfaan Ali.

It would not be until August 2, 2020, that the official declaration would be made and the real President sworn in.

Dr. Ali’s leadership has since led to the restoration of the country’s international image, and the return of confidence in Guyana, a country now classified as a major investment and tourism destination with one of the world’s fastest growing economies.

Despite the progress made, GECOM Commissioner, Clement Rohee, believes that Guyanese need to always be vigilant and alert, so as to ensure that the memories of the past do not become a reality of the future.