Presidential candidate of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic, Irfaan Ali, on Monday said that there have been enough delays in the post-elections crisis and “undemocratic forces will not succeed” as he called for the will of the people to be honoured.
Ali, made the statements during his address to the nation in a live Facebook stream.
“I assure Guyanese that those undemocratic forces will not succeed, the will of the people must be and will be honoured. There is no compromise on this…We have had enough delays. It is time that the new administration commence work in the interest of all Guyanese,” Ali said in his address.
According to the presidential hopeful, there has been consultation with all stakeholders and his party will determine avenues for the people to ensure democracy prevails. The avenues determined upon, he pointed out, will always be within the rule of law and most importantly will take persons’ health and safety into consideration.
Ali said many Guyanese, international bodies, and stakeholders, have expressed disgust at the current political situation.
“They continue to call for strong action in ensuring the will of the people is respected. I want to assure all Guyanese that we understand the frustration perpetuated (on) the entire country by a handful who can be characterised as ‘undemocratic forces.’”
As the elections crisis drags on, the country becomes even more anxious for the process to be concluded. During the initial tabulations of the Region Four ballots, there had been efforts to undermine the process. This has led to a number a court hearings asking the court to prevent any declaration of the results. Subsequent to this, the Guyana Elections Commission agreed to facilitate a nationwide recount, which was expected to be overseen by a five-member high-level team from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
However, APNU+AFC candidate Ulita Moore, had challenged the legality of CARICOM supervising the recount. The Guyana Court of Appeal ruled that GECOM has the authority to do a recount of ballots but cannot accord this power to any other body as appeared to have been suggested in a GECOM press release which said that a Caribbean Community (CARICOM) team would “supervise” the recount.
Since then, the elections body has been making preparations to facilitate the recount. They are currently awaiting word from CARICOM on their availability to begin the count.
Meanwhile, Ali said that should his party be declared the winner of the March 2, 2020 elections, a budget that is reflective and addresses the concerns of all stakeholders will be presented.
He has since organised a consultative committee to assess the financial standing of the local economy. Ali said the body consisting of professionals and representatives from other political groupings is tasked with determining the latest economic data in consultation with the Bank of Guyana and other stakeholders.
He said he has requested that they write to the Ministry of Finance seeking a statement on all outstanding liabilities and ongoing projects. This also includes consultation at regional levels with RDCs, NDCs, business chambers, civil society, community and religious leaders on regional priorities and consultation at the national level, with the PSC, civil society bodies, trade unions and rights groups, gold and diamond miners associations along with international partners in an effort to combat international crime, money laundering, drug-trafficking and undemocratic regimes.
He has further asked that the team meet with, with the Private Sector Commission, civil society bodies, trade unions and rights groups, gold and diamond miners association and representatives of the manufacturing, services, tourism, fishery, agricultural, sports, youths and women groups to have an understanding of their situation.
On the security end, Ali disclosed that he has asked his Prime Ministerial candidate, Brigadier Mark Phillips, to meet with the leadership of the disciplined forces to have an update on current challenges and issues to be addressed as well as international partners on border security and regional international collaboration.
“I wish to thank Guyanese and the international community for their continued support and resilience in ensuring our democratic values are secured. The task ahead is for us to construct a Guyana that all of us must be proud of and feel a part of,” he said.
