By Sir Ronald Sanders — Friday, June 26, 2020
There have been unhelpful and destructive attacks by leading members and zealous supporters of the APNU-AFC caretaker government in Guyana against all with whose position they disagree. All these institutions, governments and their representatives have urged that the political parties in Guyana accept an undertaking they solemnly gave: to accept a national recount of the votes cast at the March 2 general elections as the basis for the election result.
OAS Secretary-General Luis Almagro summed up the situation: “It is undeniable that this election has gone on long enough. The process in Guyana must be brought to an end, based on the results of the national recount, and with respect for the will of the majority of the electorate.”
The CCJ held a lengthy case management session on June 25 and will begin hearings on July 1. The CCJ hearing and eventual decision will give the parties in Guyana a chance to adhere to the rule of law, behave lawfully and salvage their own and the country’s standing. Initial data from the recount shows opposition candidate Irfaan Ali of the PPP/C has secured enough votes to win 33 seats in the 65-seat legislature, against APNU-AFC’s 31 seats.