Dear Editor,
I am one of those who called upon the PPP/C to concede their loss in the just concluded general elections. I did so because it was my belief that the entire electoral process was ‘free and fair.’ I believed that the country should be spared post-electoral trauma that has unfortunately become the norm since 1992 elections.
However the information provided by the PPP/C of a pattern of anomalies in 22 of the identified ballot boxes gives me pause.
That the changes all conformed to a pattern that increased votes to APNU+AFC while de-creasing votes from the PPP/C, appears too far-fetched to be mere coincidence.
In the interest in the transparency and integrity of our electoral system, which is the foundational institution for instituting and maintaining a democracy, I urge that these ballots be recounted and the results announced. Merely comparing Statements of Polls is not sufficient. The PPP/C has promised to accept the overall in total if this limited check on just 22 boxes is done. Surely this is not too much to ask of Gecom so that we can have a smooth post electoral period.
I note that two of the smaller parties, the URP and the OVP have both questioned the fairness of even the recount process. Surely their motives cannot be questioned because they are “sore losers” who did not prevail by just a whisker.
Yours faithfully,
Baytoram Ramharack
