President Bharrat Jagdeo this afternoon said that security forces are fully mobilised and on alert in the city to prevent any violence and he also announced that the PPP/C has withdrawn its request for the recounting of ballots in some areas.
Jagdeo, who said that there appeared to be attempts to mislead people into coming out on to the streets, said that he is in contact with the security forces, who will take instructions from him until the inauguration of a new president.
“The security forces have my clear instructions to deal with any act of violence against any citizens in the manner befitting those actions and also in accordance with the laws of this country,” he told a hastily-convened news conference at State House, where he also sounded his disappointment with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) over its inability to announce preliminary results as yet. He blamed the non declaration of results for fuelling tension and allowing persons hell-bent on creating problems to succeed.
“I have made it clear that what we trained for, that is, any eventuality—for people to come on the street and harm others—that we will proceed according to plan to make sure that the environment is safe and that people can go about their business in a safe manner without being subjected to harassment and violence,” he added, while noting that he had instructed the Police Commissioner to ensure the protection of citizens in the city.
Jagdeo, who said he was “very confident” of a PPP/C victory after “elections were fought competitively,” noted that all political parties already know the results, since they had agents present at all the polling stations.
“GECOM had asked that none of the parties declare, prior to their announcement of the results, none of them claim victory or anything of the sort, and so it’s incumbent upon them to accelerate the declaration of the preliminary results, at least, so as to remove this unease and uncertainty that a lot of citizens face,” he said, while adding that the anxiety could be used to mobilise people to go out on the streets and commit acts of violence.
He added that it was frustrating for the PPP/C not to say anything about the results because GECOM has to make the announcement.
He noted the accusation that the PPP/C’s call for a recount could have delayed the preliminary results. However, he said that GECOM could have announced the preliminary results with a proviso that there were requests for recounts. He said because this was cited as a factor for the delay, the PPP withdrew the requests for recounts. “So now there is absolutely no excuse for GECOM not to announce these results,” he said.
He did acknowledge that GECOM has said it is unfair to immediately declare results based on a count of the statements of poll without verification. He, however, added that the delay has allowed some parties that have seen they have lost already to begin making excuses and start mobilising people around the uncertainties.
