The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has reiterated that it has sole responsibility for declaring elections results, while calling on persons purporting to conduct exit polls and announcing findings to desist from such “potentially-dangerous and reckless” activities.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, GECOM warned that such activities may “stir unrest and create further uneasiness” in an already tense environment surrounding the May 11th general elections.
While the commission did not name anyone it its statement, it was an obvious reference to a Facebook post made by APNU+AFC coalition candidate James Bond, who on Saturday posted what appeared to be results from the Whim Police Station where members of the joint services were voting. Bond later claimed that the numbers were as a result of an exit poll that was conducted. “An Example of what occurred today at Whim Police Station…total number of voters 165… Number of Votes Cast 147…. APNU+AFC 140…PPP 7…,” the post read.
The post was condemned by Chairman of the Joint Services Commission Brigadier Mark Phillips, who described it as distasteful.
In face of criticisms, Bond defended the post and described the issue as a “storm in a tea cup,” while pointing out that in all modern democracies, exit polls are done.
In its statement, GECOM said it must be recognised that while there may be no specific laws making exit polling an offence, there are laws relating to the molestation of voters entering and exiting polling stations.
It also stressed that the secrecy of the ballot must remain sacrosanct, while noting that results emanating from an exit poll are dubious, unreliable and very possibly inaccurate.
According to the statement, any other information provided by any source(s) other than GECOM must not be considered as legitimate or valid by the citizenry. It advised the public that only official elections results announced by GECOM are to be accepted and that any other claims to results would be spurious and unofficial.
GECOM announced that it is currently working unremittingly to ensure it delivers elections that are free, fair, credible and transparent. It said too that every area of elections management is being competently and professionally managed by committed men and women, led by an experienced group of Commissioners.
“Therefore, all political parties and their supporters must be cognizant and supportive of GECOM’s efforts to submit results that are accurate, and not contribute to any act that will stymie and undermine this process,” the statement added.
Further, the commission said that the integrity of the electoral process must be measured by the professional, efficient, effective, and transparent electoral management best practices being exercised by it.
The electoral process, it said, is being managed by a cadre of trained professional staff, and is being monitored by a combination of renowned international and local observers.
“As a consequence, political parties and their supporters must uphold GECOM’s demand that the May 11, 2015 election is conducted in a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere, and that the final official results announced by GECOM are treated with respect and accepted by all stakeholders,” it added.
The Commission also appealed to all stakeholders to peacefully accept the final official results of the general and regional elections.
