Granger says will accept declaration by GECOM

Georgetown: President David Granger on Sunday said he will accept the declaration of the results of the election by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) at the completion of the recount exercise.

President David Granger (seated left) meets with Chairman of the Elections Commission Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh (second left) , Chief Elections Officer, Mr. Keith Lowenfield and his Deputy, Ms. Roxanne Myers along with other senior staff of the Commission. Also photographed are Minister of Social Protection, Ms. Amna Ally (seated fourth right) and Mr. Joseph Harmon (seated second right from Ms. Amna Ally).

“Whatever declaration comes from the Chairman of GECOM, that is legitimate and in accordance with the Constitution. I will accept,” he told the media at the Aquatic Center after visiting the Arthur Chung Conference Center Sunday.

The national recount is currently ongoing at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) and is being overlooked by a three-member high-level team from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

The team has been asked to be a “third party” in the recount process, which is seeking to determine the credibility of the March 2, polls.

Speaking with journalists following his visit to the recount centre this morning, President Granger again reminded that GECOM is a constitutional body, and just as he and his government have done in the past, he will accept the decisions of the commission.

“The elections commission is a constitutional authority and I am doing everything possible to ensure that constitutional authority discharges its functions. I cannot speculate about an outcome, of which I am not aware. The commission has the authority and I cannot envisage a situation in which I could counter or ignore the rulings of GECOM.”

The Head of State was being questioned on his plans after the declaration, especially since the ongoing process has unearthed major discrepancies in the ballot boxes from opposition strongholds.

He maintained that he will stand with any decision by the commission.

“As President of Guyana and leader of the government, it is my policy that any declaration coming from the chairman of GECOM will be accepted by the government of Guyana. I have always said that I will await the declaration of GECOM. Whatever declaration is made by the Chairman of the elections commission, will be regarded as legitimate.”

President Granger recalled that on March 2, the voting process was “well managed and orderly.” However, determining the credibility of the results of those elections remains the job of the election commission.

“It would be premature for anybody to say whether the results of the 2nd of March were credible. That is what we are here to determine. That’s why a recount was necessary to determine the credibility of the elections”