The Indian Action Committee (IAC) calls on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to immediately restart the verification and tabulation process for Region 4. A transparent verification and tabulation process, is an integral and necessary component in determining the results regardless of who wins.
The IAC, in that context, is deeply concerned over the glaring and unashamed trampling of democracy by officials of GECOM who abruptly abandoned the verification and tabulation process for Region 4 with the suspected intent of giving a victory to the APNU/AFC Coalition which in itself has been illegal following the ruling and consequential orders of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in 2019.
The IAC categorically believes that the actions of the Returning Officer (RO) for Region 4 to discard the verification and tabulation process, is unlawful and a deliberate imposition to subvert the democratic process. The IAC is calling upon the Chairman of GECOM to resist the perceived threats and pressure suspected to be exhorted by senior officials of the elections body and to allow the lawful and democratic process of verification to resume.
The IAC joins with the international community, accredited observers, and other Guyanese Stakeholders who have declared publicly that the unlawful declaration by the RO for Region 4 must be rescinded and international standards observed so that these elections can be declared by all to be democratic, have credibility and be fully transparent.
The IAC strongly believes that the actions of GECOM have sullied Guyana’s international image, and has brought the nation into disrepute. The IAC calls upon the High Commission of India to Guyana, which represents the Republic of India, the largest democracy in the world, to lend its voice in support of free, fair and transparent elections in Guyana.
The IAC in a meeting with the Carter Centre, just prior to the elections, did express its concern and support for free and fair elections; and the organization is firmly reiterating that concern.
The IAC is shocked and outraged over the irresponsible utterances of Mr. David Granger and a number of former ministers of the APNU/AFC Coalition Government who used the unlawful declaration of Region 4 to claim victory and announced that he will be sworn in shortly, an action the organization does not find surprising given that he defied the CCJ’s ruling and remained unlawfully in office.
The IAC urges Mr. Granger to desist from making reckless and inflammatory utterances which have the potential to escalate the prevailing tension in the country, and urges him, in the best interest of Guyana and all Guyanese citizens, to act in a responsible manner in keeping with the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana which he had sworn to uphold in May 2015 on his elevation to the Office of the President.
The IAC is deeply concerned that social cohesion, national unity, and peace and harmony in the country are seriously endangered by these unlawful and destabilizing actions of GECOM, and the organization calls upon all stakeholders to join their voices with the international community to call for a return to the rule of law in Guyana.