24th June, 2020. Georgetown, Guyana, South America.
CARICOM Chair, Mia Mottley has today, 24th of June, 2020, issued strong and damning statements against the Chief Elections Officer of the Guyana Elections Commission, Keith Lowenfield while at the same reiterating the need to declare a winner based on the recently concluded recount results.
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is concerned at reports that the Chief Elections Officer has submitted a Report to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) which is contrary to the directions given by the Commission and which does not reflect the results of the recount process as certified by the very staff of the Guyana Elections Commission and witnessed by representatives of the political parties.
The CARICOM Chair said that they have observed with GREAT SADNESS what has been transpiring in Guyana and that the level of GAMESMANSHIP carried out by the APNU/AFC government and its affiliates does not portray the Caribbean Community in the best of light.
The Honorable Ms. Mia Mottley further emphasized that two CARICOM teams on two separate missions risked their lives and well being in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic to come to Guyana to ensure a fair electoral process.
She further expressed shock that the Chief Elections Officer would defy all laws and logic and prepare a report based on figures that are contrary to the RECOUNT RESULTS which was signed and certified by CARICOM as well as all party representatives.
At the start of the recount which began on May 6, 2020, the David Granger Administration had stated that it would respect the results of the recount and that the CARICOM is the best and most respected organization to scrutinized the recount process. On this note, the David Granger Administration had blocked the Carter Center which was expressing a strong desire to return to Guyana to observe the recount process.
However, towards the end of the recount which proves that the Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, had attempted to rig the elections in favor of the APNU/AFC, the APNU/AFC backpedaled on their statement and are now claiming that there were dead and migrated voters and that the elections are consequently non-credible.
The CARICOM Chair in her statement today questioned the basis on which Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, disenfranchised over 100,000 voters. She also reassured her commitment to the fight for democracy in Guyana.
Any attempt to provide numbers different from those certified by the staff of GECOM has left many in shock and wondering what next will happen to frustrate the will of the Guyanese people.
