GEORGETOWN – The ruling coalition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), on Wednesday said it remains open to dialogue with other political parties and stakeholders “on the way forward” as Guyana still awaits the results of the disputed March 2 regional and general election.
In a statement, the coalition said that 20 weeks after the polls were held, no official results have been declared and that while the delay in part has been as a result of the various legal challenges, it is “committed to a lawful and credible declaration of results based on valid votes.
The David Granger-led coalition said that it has taken note of the ruling in the High Court earlier this week and as always “remains committed to the judicial process”.
The attorneys representing the private citizen, Mesinga Jones on Tuesday filed an appeal against the ruling of the Chief Justice, Roxanne George, who dismissed an application as to whether or not the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) would be allowed to use the recounted, valid and certified results to declare the official outcome of the elections.
The Chief Justice said she was bound to follow the earlier decisions of the Court of Appeal and ultimately the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on matters that had been raised regarding the elections in which both the ruling coalition and the main opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic) are claiming victory..
Jones had sought a number of reliefs including asking the High Court to compel GECOM to use the 10 district declarations in announcing the winner of the elections.
The APNU said that the judicial process is “incomplete” and that the appeal “is lawful, proper and guaranteed under the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, our supreme law”.
The coalition said that it would await the outcome of the appeal, but that it is “resolved to ensure the fraudulent vote, cannot be factored in to represent the will of the electorate.
“Any attempt to include fraudulent votes in a “Declaration” will constitute a violation of the Constitution and the fundamental principles of democracy. We maintain that the Elections Commission “can only make a “Declaration” based on valid votes”.
The coalition said that the recount process which ended on June 8 after 33 days “revealed massive irregularities and extensive fraud which cannot be foisted on the Guyanese people to contrive an outcome that betrays the will of the electorate”.
It said in the national interest “and with a view to maintaining stability and peace” the coalition “remains open to dialogue with other political parties and stakeholders on the way forward for our country”.
The coalition said that it “is prepared to act responsibly to bring a resolution to the ongoing political situation” and urged “all Guyanese to remain calm and peaceful as we await a credible and legitimate outcome”. (CMC)
