Georgetown: The Secretary-General of the Organisation of American States (OAS) Luis Almagro called again on Caretaker President David Granger to leave office and allow the swearing-in of Dr Irfaan Ali and the lawfully elected President.
During a special virtual hearing of the Permanent Council convened on Tuesday to discuss Guyana’s political crisis following the March 2 General and Regional Elections.
Adding that Guyana is being held hostage by those who want to change the results of the elections, Almagro said “this needs to end. It is not serving the institutions, it is not serving the democracy, it is not serving President (David) Granger.”
He said as the Permanent Council of the OAS met to discuss the electoral crisis in Guyana; action against Guyana could be taken if the situation does not change.
Mr Almagro said the solution to the crisis lies in the acceptance of the results of the recount and the orderly, peaceful transition to the new government in accordance with the will of the people.
“This is a historic turning point for Guyana. Without a doubt this will define its future,” he declared.
Mr Almagro said it is a moment to find great leaders – those who can leave aside their specific interests and inter-party disputes in order to safeguard the system as a whole.
“I would request that the court not be resorted to anymore,” Mr Almagro stated, saying now is the time for the political leaders to save Guyana’s democracy.
Mr Almagro said the electoral crisis has persisted much too long and noted that the delay has been because there is an attempt to impede the majority decision of Guyanese who voted on March 2.
Almagro repeated an earlier statement by the OAS that those involved in undermining the democratic process be removed from the process.
There have been multiple calls for Chief Elections Officer to be fired after he repeatedly refused to comply with directions given to him by Justice Claudette Singh, to produce a report based on the recount so that there could be a declaration of the results.
Meanwhile, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada to the Organization of American States (OAS), Hugh Adsett said Canada strongly regrets the extended delay in declaring the election results in Guyana, a delay that has now lasted more than four months since the elections were held on March 2.
“In light of the obligation of governments to promote and defend democracy as set out in the Inter American Democratic Charter, Canada firmly maintains that the rule of law and democratic processes must be respected and a declaration be announced without further delay”.
“Canada supports calls by the OAS, CARICOM, Commonwealth and civil society organisations to announce the results based on the national recount as validated by the OAS and the CARICOM Observer Missions, and upheld by the Caribbean Court of Justice, and again yesterday by Guyana’s Chief Justice in dismissing the latest challenge to the recount results.,” Ambassador Adsett added.
The Ambassador said that Canada is committed to working with all partners and will consider “using all tools at our disposal to demand a swift and transparent conclusion to the election process and to hold accountable those who prevent it”.
The results of the national recount have proven that the PPP/C won the elections with 233,336 votes, but the APNU/AFC is refusing to accept defeat in the face of mounting international pressure.
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