I AM very opposed to all the horrible things that are still being said about, and done, to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). The many voices of criticism, the repeated aggressive outbursts from bitter and unreasonable elements, the threatening behaviour of rascal elements, etc., were and are still uncalled for. In fact, the whole series of on-going activities ‘stinks’ and are most unjustified and illegal.
First, all four contesting parties – PPP/C, APNU, AFC and TUF knew the outcome of the 2011 General and Regional Elections. So APNU is just ‘playing a damn fool’. I believe that, as early as a few hours after the close of polls on August 28, not one of the contesting parties was in the dark. So I submit to APNU that the ‘game’ be over and done with. Also, I blame a lot of the enlightened election and party coterie for being very sloppy.
As explained by Chairman Dr. Steve Surujbally, GECOM was acting within its complete legal right. GECOM, in fact, had up to 15 days in which to ensure and declare the true and accurate results of the elections. So nothing untoward was being conjured up. In fact, it was this which was being avoided at all cost. However, another factor is at work here.
In declaring the results, on the afternoon of Thursday, December 1, 2011, GECOM did a faster job than it did in the last elections. In the last elections, in 2006, the results were declared on the night of Thursday, August 31, 2006, i.e., a total of three days after the elections. This means that the 2011 results were effected several hours earlier than the 2006 elections. How about that! So the question is why the big fuss, and the creating of all kinds of mischief by APNU.
Now I really admire what GECOM is about to do. It will now proceed to provide all the contesting political parties, along with the Electoral Assistance Bureau (EAB) and the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), with scanned copies of all Statements of Poll (SOPs). Mind you, this will only corroborate the results – nothing will be altered. GECOM consistently explained that there was always going to be the prioritising of accuracy, in favour of speed.
Elections used to be a big farce in the ‘bad days of old.’ Since they are of paramount importance in every society, no compromise in favour of speed and people’s impatience must be tolerated. So for me, GECOM’s way of operation was most commendable. I ask here, if this is really something to grumble about.
Now, after receiving Statements of Poll (SOPs), I guess A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) may finally run out of reasons for its street protests.
The party has called on the commission, for an all-party reconciliation of SOPs, contending that there were several discrepancies, in the tabulation of the votes, and this is exactly what will soon be done.
I hope that this will now bring to an end all the carping and trouble making that were being encouraged and indulged in.