‘Changes need to be made to prevent delay of elections process’ – President Granger

DPI, Guyana, Sunday, May 17, 2020

His Excellency, President David Granger on Sunday said there are changes which need to be made to Guyana’s election system to prevent the occurrence of a prolonged process to a result.

The Head of State was at the time addressing journalists at the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal, following a visit to the Authur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), this morning where the national recount is currently ongoing.

“We would like to bring the process to a speedy conclusion, but a correct conclusion, so that the people of Guyana could be satisfied with the outcome,” he said.

The Head of State remarked that the current process is “much too long and I believe that given the circumstances the measures which have been put in place will bring the process to a satisfactory conclusion.”

President Granger noted that there were some issues highlighted during his engagement with GECOM executives and the 3-member CARICOM team this morning.

Deeming the discussion confidential, President Granger said solutions to those matters raised will be deliberated and addressed by the GECOM chairwoman, Retired Justice Claudette Singh.

“There are not issues which at this point in time should be subject to public debate until or unless the commissioners have had a chance to speak on it,” the President clarified.

Today marks the twelfth day since the commencement of the national recount of ballots cast at the March 2 General and Regional Elections. The process began on Wednesday, May 6.

At the culmination of yesterday’s count, a total of 528 ballot boxes were processed. Also, the tabulation of 500 Statements of Recount (SOR) for the General Elections and 501 for Regional, were recorded.

President David Granger said he was pleased to witness the recount process at the various workstations this morning.