Georgetown: At a special media briefing at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Media Centre at the Pegasus Hotel this afternoon, GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally, asserted that the results of Monday’s polls are not tainted. In stressing his conviction that all parties concerned have followed the stipulated rules, the Chairman urged that all accept the inevitable results, adding that the declaration will be done openly.
The press briefing which followed on the heels of a meeting between GECOM officials and representatives of the parties that contested this year’s national elections, saw all supporting the move by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic to refrain from challenging GECOM’s initial count of polls.
At the press briefing Surujbally called on all to exercise restraint even as he urged leaders of civil society to appeal to their constituents to desist from acts of incitement. “Don't contribute to what can generate strife…we cannot and must not do anything to take our country into anarchy! Guyana cannot afford that…” Surujbally insisted.
However speaking on behalf of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Presidential Candidate, David Granger, insisted that there has been unwarranted delay in declaring the results. He made reference to a looming security crisis which he believes is being engineered by provocative acts which the party has been documenting with the intent of compiling a dossier.
The Alliance for Change (AFC) Presidential Candidate, Khemraj Ramjattan spoke to the need for peace adding that “we don't want to see any violence or confrontation. We feel it is in the interest of political parties that leaders must diffuse tension.”
Donald Ramotar, PPP/C Presidential Candidate, in calling for peace too said that it is very important for all of Guyana to accept the results of the elections which he too believed was free and fair. “Elections is something to be celebrated despite frustrations from the people and we understand their anxiety and I would like to assure you that we have confidence in GECOM’s process and we are ready to accept the results.”
Meanwhile, Presidential Candidate of The United Force, Peter Persaud, stressed the need for members of the public to cherish peace and harmony adding that “we are so far satisfied with our results” adding that “time was against us. If we had carried out a full scale campaign we would have seen a difference.”
He further called on members of the public to remain calm and accept the results of the elections which can only be declared by the Chief Elections Officer, Gocool Boodhoo.
You must be logged in to post a comment.