Government-nominated elections commissioner Vincent Alexander has dismissed claims made by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo that house-to-house registration will be used to rig the upcoming elections, saying that the claims are unsubstantiated and ought not to be taken seriously.
“I cannot take Jagdeo seriously. Jagdeo is at the epitome of the ‘silly season’ and as a responsible citizen I have to turn my face on Jagdeo rather than take him seriously. Jagdeo is doing all within his might to incite the population and I cannot let that folly get to me,” Alexander told reporters outside the Kingston, Georgetown headquarters of the Guyana Elections Com-mission (GECOM) on Wednesday.
Two hours earlier, Jagdeo told a press conference that “APNU is hoping that through house-to-house registration they can tamper with the list. We are not going to accept this. We are not going to roll over and play dead on these issues.”
He said that the David Granger-led administration, GECOM Chairman Justice (ret’d) James Patterson and the three government-nominated commissioners were pushing to update the current voters’ list through house-to-house registration to facilitate rigging. Jagdeo has strongly objected to the new registration process, saying that it is not necessary and that a claims and objections period, which will take less time, would suffice. He reiterated this position on Wednesday.
Jagdeo, who served two terms as president, pointed out that the APNU+AFC government did not object to the current voters’ list being used for last November’s local government elections and did not dispute the results of those elections.
“The same government commissioners and Chairman never complained about the quality of the list but suddenly it is bloated…they are part of a conspiracy with the PNC to delay the elections,” he charged, while adding that there will be no exclusion of young people as is being claimed. He described the argument that there are names of dead persons on the list as a “moot” point.
Jagdeo also claimed knowledge of plans for electoral fraud and to disenfranchise PPP/C supporters during the registration process. “We have intelligence about what they plan to do …These are some of the issues I want to highlight because too many rumours are out there,” Jagdeo said after announcing that his party will be offering rewards to anyone who comes forward with evidence.
‘Unbelievable’
In reacting to Jagdeo’s claims, Alexander stressed that everything Jagdeo has said is “unsubstantiated” before noting that “it is unbelievable that he is an ex-president of this country.”
Fellow government-nominated commissioner Desmond Trotman also dismissed Jagdeo’s claims. “How’s that possible?” he asked before adding that he would like to hear Jagdeo’s justification for his claims.
Alexander later said that the house-to-house registration process will be scrutinised by the political parties. “The political parties will be able to go house-to-house… to make sure that that does not occur. On one hand, he talks about robust mechanisms for voting day and now he seems not to appreciate that there could be robust mechanisms for house-to-house registration,” he added.
Meanwhile, the government in a statement issued on Wednesday night also rejected Jagdeo’s “outrageous assertion” that President Granger has colluded with GECOM to delay the polls. It said Jagdeo’s statements were “malicious and dangerous” and intended to “impugn the integrity” of the President.
“As the holder of a constitutional office, Mr Jagdeo ought to be responsible when making public statements, particularly on matters of national importance,” it added.
The government statement emphasised that the constitution provides for GECOM’s independence and its responsibility for the administration of elections. It added that President Granger himself has repeatedly emphasised that government would not interfere or intrude in the work of GECOM. “It is absolutely absurd that Mr. Jagdeo continues to make spurious remarks aimed at confusing the nation. The Government of Guyana calls on Mr. Jagdeo to act responsibly and to be truthful when he seeks to inform the populace,” it added.
‘Unprecedented’
With the passage of a no-confidence motion against government on December 21st, it was expected that in keeping with the constitution elections would be held within three months. The deadline has ended and there is no word on a definitive date for elections. President Granger is currently in Cuba undergoing treatment for cancer and is expected back in Guyana this weekend.
Jagdeo told his press conference on Wednesday that based on the legal opinions he has gotten, Guyana is entering into “uncharted waters” and that government will be illegal. He insists that all acts the president and other members of his government undertake after today will be illegal and would, therefore, be open to criminal or civil litigation at a later stage. He also claimed that the president will no longer have immunity.
He made it clear that the PPP/C intends to publicly challenge the government’s actions. “We will not do anything to that will harm public servants….Our target will be narrowly focus on an illegal president, Prime Minister and ministers,” he said.
He added that the PPP/C will be seeking international condemnation, non-recognition and sanctions of the government and that it will also be taking legal action and engage in protests across the country.
“We will not cease until President Granger respects the constitution and calls elections,” he said before stressing that the November timeline proposed by the GECOM Chairman is a “non-starter.”
“We will fight every single day, not for the PPP people, but all of Guyana. We want to safeguard the country. We have to do this for the sake of Guyana,” he said.
Jagdeo also used the occasion to express concern that government has organised a youth rally, dubbed ‘Too legit to quit.’
“They are making fun of this constitutional issue,” he said. The rally, which will see performances from several of the country’s top singers, will be held next Friday at Parade Ground. Speeches will also be made by several APNU youth leaders, including Christopher Jones, James Bond, Bartica Mayor Gifford Marshall and Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine.
