‘PPP must discontinue its campaign of misinformation, lies and propaganda’ – Coalition

─ GECOM’s CEO acting in accordance with Gazetted Order, No. 60 of 2020

DPI, Guyana, Sunday, June 14, 2020

The A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition today said it strongly condemns the “reckless remarks” made by the Opposition PPP following the submission of report by the Chief Election Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman.

“It is reprehensible and appalling that the PPP irresponsibly continues its campaign to malign Mr. Lowenfield who has acted within the ambit of the law, as he is required to do, and is in strict compliance with the Gazetted Order,” APNU+AFC stated in their release.

Acting in accordance with Stage 2 of the Gazetted Order, No. 60 of 2020, Lowenfield on Saturday presented his detailed report on the first stage of the recount process to GECOM’s Chairman, (retd) Justice Claudette Singh.

This now gives way for stage three where the 7-member commission will now deliberate on the findings.

The CEO’s report and other submission have exposed what the APNU+AFC Coalition has deemed a clear attempt at electoral fraud.

According to the Coalition’s summary of irregularities, there are close to 8000 instances of fraud affecting 1,222 of the 2,339 total ballot boxes, from the March 2 General and Regional Elections. The Coalition has also calculated a total of 257, 173 votes were affected.

The Coalition’s statement also emphasised the fact that Part X1 of the Representation of the People Act clearly outlines how the election results are ascertained and Article 96 of the Constitution states that the CEO is authorised to “calculate the total valid votes of electors cast and thereupon ascertain the results”. This, therefore, means to discover with certainty as through examination or experimentation. This is what was done. This was, the very purpose of the recount process.”

APNU+AFC believes that the importance of the credibility of the electoral process in arriving at the valid votes cast is paramount.

It was noted that despite the authenticity of the report the PPP continues to respond by spreading misinformation, lies and propaganda on the citizens of Guyana, the diplomatic corps, CARICOM and other parties internationally.

The Coalition called on all Guyanese to remain patient and allow the recount process to continue uninterrupted.