‘Some commissioners stalling recount preparation process’ – Vincent Alexander

—’They are seeking to undo decisions already made’

DPI, GUYANA, Thursday, April 23, 2020

Commissioner at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Vincent Alexander this afternoon said the action of some commissioners is impeding the preparation of the recount process.

Alexander cited today’s meeting as an example, where hours were spent reviewing issues that were already decided upon. Much of today’s meeting he explained was spent going through the work plan, for the third time.

“There are commissioners who continue to return to issues that should have been settled ad nauseum. I wouldn’t be surprised if tomorrow more time is spent on the work plan. Because, having dotted the I’s and crossed the T’s, people now want to see the black and white, which is an attempt to undo decisions that have already been made.”

He said these commissioners have been relentless in their efforts to change the number of GECOM officials who should be present at the recount process.

There were issues as well about how the results tabulated at the workstation would be exhibited.

“We went through the exercise at the convention centre about the allocation of space. We have been written to by the relevant authorities and there is still one commissioner who wants us to listen to him, saying that he has individual advice that overrides the advice of the persons who are duly authorised to give advice,” Alexander said.

Another commissioner, he relayed, today read out the names of persons, who they felt should not be involved in the recount process.

If there are no allegations against these officers then there is no basis for it to be said they should not be involved in the process,” Alexander argued.

In his draft order to GECOM, PPP Commissioner Sasenarine Gunraj suggested that the commission should count Districts One and Four together and thereafter declare the results, before moving to recount the other regions.

“To suggest that you want to do four and one, and when one is done [99 boxes] and four is over [800 boxes], to stop there,  flies in the face of the argument we have been putting forward that we need to do this as quickly as possible,” Alexander said.

Her noted that region four alone represents 45 percent of the overall votes. It is for this reason that the votes in this district will be counted simultaneously with the other districts.

Alexander opined that “There is a question of sincerity. There seem to be ulterior motives,” for the actions of the commissioners, however, he noted that GECOM “will not fall for that.”

The commission will meet again tomorrow to finalise the order.