PRESSURE continues to mount on Head of State, Donald Ramotar, to concede an elections victory by the coalesced A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), demit office, and work toward the transition to a new Government led by Brigadier (rtd) David Granger, the coalition’s leader and presidential candidate. The International Community, namely the ABC Countries (America, Britain (United Kingdom) and Canada) as well as the European Union (EU), local business representatives, and civil society were in unison yesterday in their confidence in the results as announced by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).
The consensus among those calling for Ramotar to concede is that discrepancies raised by the ruling party and detected through the various checks and balances, are not enough to alter the preliminary results.
MIDDAY OBJECTIONS
They have since urged an acceptance of the preliminary results on the part of the ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C).

A defiant Head of State, Ramotar, along with several party comrades and candidates, including former President Bharrat Jagdeo, have since the GECOM announcement castigated the electoral commission, alleging wide-scale rigging.
The PPP/C has since demanded a recount of the entire country.
GECOM yesterday asserted that the final results have been declared by the Returning Officers for each of the 10 geographic regions and parties wishing to raise objections would have up to midday today to do so.
The Commission has since committed to making a timely update today.
CONSIDERED OPINION
Meanwhile, a joint statement issued by the ABC countries yesterday sought to reiterate their positions.
According to the missive from the representatives of the three countries, it is their “strong and considered opinion that the voting and tabulation processes in the Guyanese national and regional elections were free, fair, and credible.”
They said “despite investigating, in collaboration with other observer missions, repeated allegations of irregularities, we have found nothing that would materially impact the integrity or credibility of the process.”
According to the ABC representatives, GECOM “has an effective verification and dispute-resolution process that is functioning well.”
The joint missive on the part of the ABC countries reiterated also that international experts continue to observe the process and “We encourage any political party with concerns about any preliminary results to use the established process with the Guyana Elections Commission to make those disputes known rather than resorting to the media.”
They said too that GECOM is working to complete final results as early as possible under Guyanese law and as such, “we call on all Guyanese to be patient during that process and for all political leaders to respect the final results. We also call on all political parties to keep their promise to respect the Code of Conduct for Political Parties.”
NO INDICATION
Meanwhile, the local Private Sector Commission (PSC) yesterday said in light of new allegations by the PPP/C, it reiterates its full confidence in GECOM and their adherence to the law and procedures.
“We have no material information to indicate that the results as released by GECOM will change based on allegations by the PPP/C,” according to the PSC, headed by Chairman Ramesh Persaud.
In adding its voice to the fray, the PSC called on the PPP/C to “accept the results and commence with transitioning to the new government for the benefit of all Guyanese who are yearning for normalcy to resume.”
It reminded that the business community is at a standstill and that “this prolonged process is creating damage to the economy and the citizenry.”
LEGAL AVENUES
Meanwhile, Head of the EU Delegation, Robert Kopecky, yesterday also joined in on calling for Ramotar to concede and move towards the formation of a new government, adding that there are legal avenues in place to address grievances.
According to Kopecky, “The European Union notes that the Guyanese General and Regional Elections of May 11, 2015 were largely peaceful, transparent and inclusive with a high turnout and good performance of electoral authorities. The EU commends the Guyana Elections Commission for an efficient and well-organised election process.”
The European bloc of nations as such called on all stakeholders, “to respect the legal procedures and address any possible grievance through the channels established by the law.”
According to Kopecky, “The EU also looks forward to strengthening our bilateral and regional cooperation and continuing close collaboration with Guyana’s Pro Tempore Chairmanship of CARIFORUM, in particular in the run-up to the EU-CELAC Summit and the EU-CARIFORUM Top Level meeting of 11th June 2015.”
RESPECT PEOPLE’S WILL
The religious community has also begun adding its voice to the most recent electoral cycle from which Guyana is yet to emerge.
Roman Catholic Bishop Francis Alleyne, has called on the political parties to “respect the will of the people.”
On behalf of the local Catholic Christian denomination, Bishop Alleyne observed that GECOM’s preliminary results on the 2015 elections show a photo-finish, with APNU+AFC likely to be declared the winner.
He observed too that the exemplary conduct of the people in turning out, exercising their civil responsibility and waiting patiently as well as the various endorsements on the electoral process “are a credit to us all and deserve the greatest respect.”
Bishop Alleyne called for an early declaration of the election results “so that the voice and good will of the people are not taken for granted.”
He posited, given the closeness of the results, as well as the divisiveness of the campaign, “it is clear that much work lies ahead to build lasting reconciliation and trust.”
Bishop Alleyne in his missive recalled the adage “”forgive and forget” and said while in reality we don’t forget, “we can remember without the bitterness and pain: we can be healed and reconciled and trust again and must claim this.”
To this end, Bishop Alleyne said “I call on all to exercise moderation, for the losing party to concede immediately upon the declaration and the winner to magnanimously accept, so that, as one people we can focus with resolve on the critical business of nation building.”

By Gary Eleazar