Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland yesterday strongly encouraged GECOM to “follow the directions given by the CCJ and decisively conclude the 2 March 2020 elections based on the results of the national recount.”
Scotland’s referencing of Wednesday’s decision by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) will be seen as impetus for GECOM Chair Claudette Singh to take the final steps towards the certification of the results in face of the open defiance by Chief Election Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield. The CEO has refused to provide the recount result to Singh despite three requests to him. He has provided his own counts which do not reflect the results of the recount. GECOM is to convene a crucial meeting today which could lead to certification of the recount result.
A Commonwealth expert, Kwadwo Afari-Gyan has been advising Singh. He was Chairman of the Electoral Commission of Ghana from 1993 to 2015.
In her statement yesterday, Scotland said that in accordance with the applicable laws and the constitution of Guyana, the CCJ exercised its final appellate jurisdiction, and, on 8 July 2020 handed down what she said was a “clear and unambiguous ruling”. She noted that the CCJ stated, “It is for GECOM to ensure that the election results are swiftly declared in accordance with the Laws of Guyana.”
Scotland added: “Guyana is a much loved and valued member of the Commonwealth. On behalf of the entire Commonwealth family, I strongly encourage the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to follow the directions given by the CCJ and decisively conclude the 2 March 2020 elections based on the results of the national recount. The will of the people as expressed in the 2 March 2020 General and Regional Elections must be respected for democracy to prevail in Guyana”.
CARICOM, the Commonwealth and the Organisation of American States have played pivotal roles alongside the US, UK, Canada and the European Union in ensuring that the recount result is declared.
Scotland also urged all stakeholders here to accept the result and for the country to be placed above personal ambition.
“I urge all political actors and stakeholders in Guyana to accept and respect the results of the national recount and ensure that their words and actions promote an environment of peace, harmony and social cohesion among all Guyanese.
“Guyana’s destiny as a great nation rests on the shoulders of those men and women who are duty bound to make the right decision, respecting the will of the people and the rule of law, and ready to place their country before their personal ambitions.
“The Commonwealth calls all leaders to be faithful to the common good, so that Guyana’s future may truly be forged today”, she stated.
Scotland welcomed the July 9th 2020 statement from Chairman of CARICOM, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves calling on all stakeholders to respect the ruling of the CCJ in its standing as Guyana’s final court of appeal.
