Dear Editor,
There is a court matter engaging the attention of the Appeal Court that will determine whether the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) can proceed with a national recount. It is therefore unusual, if not disdainful to the Appellate Court for GECOM to make any decision with regards to a recount as reported by legal counsel Kim Kyte-Thomas – attorney representing GECOM Chairperson Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh. Further, Kyte-Thomas’ statement goes on to say, “…however, the execution of that decision and the process will not commence before Sunday,” suggesting in that statement that even though there is a wait to recount, said will not be hindered by any ruling made by the Appellate Court.
Whereas we can assume the language was misused and unfortunate, in our current environment there are internal and external forces demonstrating intolerance for legal rights to pursue justice in a court of law and making statements that show contempt for the judicial process and decisions. Such statements amplify our concerns for law and order in Guyana and for credible resolution of the elections consistent with said laws.
Our decent law-abiding citizens expect nothing less than lawful decision making and guidance from the Chairperson of GECOM who has spent years in the judiciary and has had an exemplary track record as far as the public is aware. From the arguments before the Court, Justice Dawn Gregory Barnes reportedly noted concerns, “that its [the Court’s] decision may be rendered merely academic” if statements put before the court are “accurate”. GECOM, and more importantly, Justice Claudette Singh should not be in such a situation, regardless of the outcome of the court’s ruling.
We are treading dangerous waters, influenced by forces undermining our judicial branch of government to shape a new ‘truth’ and ‘new order’ in our society. One dependent on their views and vision of what must be. These are not premised on universal principles and the rule of law. They have no respect for sovereign rights and democracy. Yet they pay lip service to these gold star principles speaking with various tongues and language that do not fool all the people all the time.
I have no doubt that the majority of Guyanese can live in love and harmony with each other. I have no doubt that the majority of us enjoy the culture of each other for we have lived together long enough to be acculturated. We are divided by political forces seeking the control of power. We are divided by lies and myths, by nurtured hate and recently by paid lobbyists taking advantage of our fears.
Every society has fears and concerns manifested by different groups and subcultures. These may be religious, ethnic, economic or even the most insignificant and unthinkable things within cultures. It takes leadership with vision to recognise and address these, to bring a people together to harness their strengths for mutual benefits. Those who shout the loudest about democracy must respect our laws for they are the pillars upon which democracy stands.
America Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch recently reassured Guyanese of the USA’s well-kept secret of “impartiality.” Like most Guyanese, I am pleased to hear this. I am sure we also took note of the reference to the USA government’s comments on Venezuela’s elections. And whereas I fully appreciate the comparison, this opportunity is taken to remind Ambassador Lynch that as much as the viewpoints of external forces are welcomed, these should not take precedence over our courts. These should not set out to become diktat by which we operate. It is not so in the USA or any of the Western democracies.
Why must it be so in Guyana where the courts are credible, and our justice system has been appealed to by representatives of both major parties? Can I as a Guyanese call on the US Ambassador to help this young developing nation abide by the decisions handed down by the court of law regardless of where the chips fall? That in my opinion would be a demonstration of “good diplomacy.” That is diplomacy that operates within a legal framework and which encourages growth and respect for law and order. That is the diplomacy of impartiality that we are asking for.
We ask the same of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group and all others who claim to have Guyana’s best interest at heart even as their words could be seen as undermining our efforts, our courts and judicial system. Ambassador Lynch also stated, “…democracy, or rule by the people, is almost always noisy.” Guyanese may be inclined to ask, “What is different about Guyana’s noise in a growing democracy that translates to us being subjected to foreign and local interest seeking to circumvent our courts?”
Environment of deceit impacting law and order. These are no doubt the conditions influencing GECOM and Justice Claudette Singh as Guyana attempts to navigate this election impasse.
Yours faithfully,
Lincoln Lewis
