Dear Editor,
I wish to respond to articles in the press on a recent statement from the Private Sector Commission (PSC) ‘Private sector opposes total national recount…’.
I am not in PPP/C or an APNU/AFC camp and I hold no brief for any political party but I am beginning to question the motives and motivations of the Private Sector Commission as it relates to the 2 March, 2020 Elections. It is my view that the last statement from the PSC indicating that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) should abandon plans for a total national recount of the votes cast and instead focus on Region 4, is a clear attempt to be manipulative.
Last week, having read the contents in the PSC’s letter to the Secretary-General of the Organisation of American States (OAS), I thought that it was a total overreach and wondered whether the PSC had metamorphosed into a political organisation. Then there was another letter to the Inter-American Human Rights Commission by several civil society organisations, including the PSC; now the Private Sector Commission, is attempting to direct whether there should be a recount of the votes cast in one, two, three, or all of the regions.
It is important that the Organisation of American States, the Inter-American Human Rights Commission the United States Government, the Canadian Government, the European Union, the United Kingdom government, the Commonwealth Secretariat and other members of the international community be cognizant of the fact, that most of the APNU+AFC supporters are black people and most of the supporters of the PPP/C are East Indians. Many of the civil society organisations which were signatories to the letter to the Inter-American Human Rights Commission, are perceived to be pro-PPP/C supporters, much of the PSC as well, is perceived to be pro-PPP/C; hence the international community has to be careful, not to be playing into the race politics of Guyana. The international community and governments ought to remain neutral. We all would like for democracy and rule of law to prevail in Guyana, and believe me it will; but it is important that in the process of achieving those, respect is shown to all sides, as far as possible.
If the PSC request is to be examined objectively, that only Region 4 ballots should be recounted; in fairness to the supporters from both political parties, then the APNU+AFC Coalition, thus far, got most of the votes; so why should they agree to the PSC request which is leaning towards the PPP/C line of advocacy. We are negotiating a way out of this situation PSC, and we must be fair. If there will not be a recount of the ballots for all ten regions, then we might as well swear in the Presidential candidate for the APNU+AFC; fairness must be a key element in this process.
The Private Sector ought to be more objective and I am disappointed that the PSC is not being more subtle. Technically, a winner has not been declared, therefore neither the APNU+AFC nor the PPP/C has not won the elections, neither is there a President-elect; don’t let’s confuse the Guyanese people any further.
I wish to make it pellucidly clear, many people want a government that looks like them; I want the truth from the March 2 Elections. In my view, the truth lies in those ballot boxes for ALL ten regions, not only Region Four. Whether the PPP/C or APNU+AFC should emerge as the winner, many of us are prepared to continue to serve our country and the government. So, let the recount begin from Region One to Ten! We want the truth! The truth shall set us free!
Maybe, I am too fair and objective; some people call it idealistic, but that is part of our problem in Guyana; even the most intelligent, wealthy and poorest of us, are examining, analyzing, or evaluating our issues through the lens of blacks, East Indians or PNC and PPP or both; if we are serious about progress, some things have got to change.
Yours faithfully,
Audreyanna Thomas
