The Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has stated that the APNU/AFC coalition’s latest delay tactic in the ongoing elections fiasco has exposed the duplicity of incumbent President David Granger.
On Tuesday, an injunction was obtained from the High Court to block the national recount, which was slated to commence that afternoon and be supervised by the independent high-level Caribbean Community (Caricom) team. Instead, the regional delegation, which was put together by the Caricom Chair, Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley, upon the request and agreement of President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo respectively, has since withdrawn from Guyana.
Witness the undermining
In a subsequent statement, the PPP/C pointed out that Guyanese, as well as the regional and the international communities, are continuing to witness the undermining of the process to finalise the results of the March 2 General and Regional Elections that will allow for a declaration and swearing-in of Guyana’s new President – in a transparent and lawful manner.
“The filing of an injunction… to block the agreed recount exposes the duplicity of President David Granger, those around him and those within the APNU/AFC coalition. It was Mr Granger who called the Caricom Chair, Barbados Prime Minister, Mia Mottley, to say he did not want to be sworn-in on the basis of disputed election results and requested a high-level Caricom team to supervise a recount of the ballots,” the PPP/C said in the missive.
According to the Opposition party, although sceptical of the President’s intentions, it nevertheless agreed to this as a political solution to move the country forward and avoid negative consequences for the nation.
The PPP/C pointed out that over the past two weeks, it has exposed the complicity of some staff of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and certain high-ranking members of the APNU/AFC coalition to perpetrate electoral fraud on the Guyanese people, undermine the country’s democracy, and expose Guyana to isolation in the free world.
“Within a matter of days, we have had two fraudulent declarations of election results in Region [Four (Demerara-Mahaica)] by a compromised Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, manoeuvres that undercut transparency and credibility in the electoral process and, [on Tuesday], efforts to frustrate and undermine an agreement for a Caricom-supervised recount of votes from the 2020 Elections,” the party noted.
It went on to outline that in addition to the delay in signing the aide-memoire, there have been consistent efforts by Granger’s agents to undermine the Caricom agreement, which he himself requested. The latest episode in this saga, according to the Opposition party, is having Ulita Moore, who is an APNU/AFC coalition candidate, file the injunction to stop the recount.
Coalition fearful of recount
To this end, the PPP/C Presidential Candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday contended that the incumbent APNU/AFC coalition is fearful of allowing the recounting process to be conducted.
“The recount is to establish who won these elections. We know who won these elections but we are not fearless about going to the recount. Our country and the international community are seeing who are fearful in going to this recount… What is it that the APNU/AFC is afraid of in going to the [ballot] boxes, what is it that GECOM is afraid of in going to the boxes? It is clear that they are afraid of something and that is why these delay tactics are being used… we’ve made it clear, we’re not afraid of a recount of any of the box in this country,” Ali asserted.
He went on to remind of the GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh’s public commitment, which was also given to the Court, for a recount of the contentious tabulation of Region Four results, which has been marred with allegations of fraud.
Nevertheless, Ali further reiterated his party’s commitment to fight for democracy and freedom, and the rights of people. He noted that the party’s resolve in this struggle will not wavier despite all the frustrations.
Meanwhile, the PPP/C’s missive stated that Tuesday’s move has shown the global community the true nature of Granger and his cabal.
“This is now revealed, first-hand, to the leaders of Caricom. They, too, will not be able to recognise his illegal and illegitimate regime should he move forward to be sworn in based on fraudulent results,” the Opposition party noted.
In fact, it referred to statements of the US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, comments earlier on Tuesday, warning Guyana that regimes, which benefit from electoral fraud and an illegitimate government, will face “a variety of serious consequences” from the North American powerhouse.
On this note, the Opposition said, “Should there be a swearing-in on the basis of fraudulent election results, the People’s Progressive Party will treat Mr Granger’s regime as illegal and illegitimate and will pursue the consequences addressed by Secretary Pompeo to the end, as well as sanctions for the members of the APNU/AFC coalition, their families, their cronies, and their collaborators”.
In the meantime, the PPP/C urges all Guyanese, particularly its supporters, to remain vigilant and calm, adding that they should not be provoked and ensure that no action is taken in contradiction with the laws of Guyana. The party implored with persons to stay home and await further guidance from the party.
The party’s pleas come on the heels of moves by the APNU/AFC coalition to mobilise protesters across the country, with calls for Granger to be sworn-in as President. According to the PPP/C, this shows the extent to which the “rigging cabal would go to destroy our democracy”.
