Georgetown : Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Dr. Steve Surujbally earlier today dispelled claims that ballot boxes were tampered with. His remarks came in wake of allegations made by A Party for National Unity (APNU) which questioned the integrity of ballot boxes at a polling station in East Ruimveldt. Speaking at a press conference yesterday APNU Elections Agent Joseph Harmon not only displayed a broken seal as evidence of tampering but also categorically expressed concerns about incidents involving several People’s Progress Party/Civic functionaries at the close of polls on Monday.
However, Surjubally at a media briefing held at the GECOM’s media centre this morning in the Savannah Suite of the Pegasus Hotel assured that there has been absolutely no tampering of ballot boxes. He also sought to detail the process of sealing the ballot boxes, adding that in addition to the statement of polls, party officials were on hand to ensure that all ballot boxes were properly sealed. “The party put their own seals unto the ballot boxes, the statement of polls are there and the party seals are there on top of other seals so one seal being found somewhere and the rest are on …this means that the statement of polls are not compromised in any way and I can see no problems,” he confidently asserted.
He nonetheless disclosed that an investigation has been launched to determine the source of the seal which has 0023154 as its serial number.
But even as he gave assurance of the integrity of the ballot boxes the Chairman questioned the motive of the allegations of tampering, stressing that the situation may very well be an off-shoot of persons’ paranoia because of their inexperience. He however promised that with the continued assessment of the statement of polls it is likely that an official declaration could be possible by this evening.
