Georgetown: The Elders, in commenting on the electoral process in Guyana sated on twitter that “the will of the people must be respected through the swearing-in of a legitimate Government based on the recount’s results.”
The Elders are independent leaders using their collective experience and influence for peace, justice and human rights worldwide. The group was founded by Nelson Mandela in 2007.
Further, the Elders continues to view the situation in Guyana with concern, “especially the recent barring of @CarterCenter observers.”
President David Granger has maintained that the COVID-19 pandemic is the sole reason why the Cater Centre’s Election Observers’ team has not been approved to return to Guyana to oversee the recount of votes cast at the March 2 General and Regional Elections.
“Since March 2, COVID-19 changed everything…we promulgated several emergency measures and we’re serious about those measures,” the Head of State said during an interview on the radio programme Straight Up.
Dismissing claims that the team was denied after it had exhibited partisan behaviour in March immediately following the elections, the President noted that the centre has been involved in Guyana’s elections for thirty years and the country has much respect for it.
He further reiterated that the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) observer team is the “best interlocutor” in the election situation and expressed confidence in the team.
President Granger urged that the decisions of the Government of Guyana be respected as it is in the best interest and health of Guyanese citizens.
“I am aware of what the Foreign Minister has written and she has not written on her own authority but the authority of the Government and President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and we intend to stick with the regulations.”
The Head of State highlighted that huge cities in developed nations have been devastated by the effects of the novel coronavirus because they failed to follow strict guidelines.
However, the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) had granted approval for 103 Guyanese who are stuck in various CARICOM countries to return home once they are tested negative for COVID-19 in the host countries.
Included in the total are 17 Guyanese students at the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and 70 cruise ship workers attached to Royal Caribbean.
According to PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo there must be a political motive behind a decision by President David Granger to prevent the Carter Center and the International Republican Institute (IRI) from returning to Guyana to observe the recount of votes from the March 2nd general elections.
Jagdeo maintained that the “duplicity of the government’s position will wend its way to Washington” noting that his party will bring it to the attention of the international community.
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