Georgetown – President Irfaan Ali has announced a new national award to be bestowed on those who defended Guyana’s democracy following last year’s elections.
In a statement issued on the first anniversary of the controversial March 2, 2020 vote, Ali said the names of those to be invested with the Order of Democracy will be announced later this year.
He said although Guyanese people went out to vote peacefully and orderly, there was a devious plot to subvert the democratic will of the people after the counting of the votes.
“I have taken the decision to institute a national award, the Order of Democracy, in recognition of the contributions of those individuals and organisations who defied the riggers and defended our democracy,” Ali said.
In his statement, the Guyanese leader, who was sworn into office after five months of recounts and legal challenges, said: “Brave men and women – of all ages, classes, ethnicities and political affiliation – came together in a heroic battle to defend our motherland from one of its gravest threats: the attempt to trample the democratic will of the people,” Ali said.
The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) won the election, but an election petition case brought by the A Partnership for National Unity-Alliance for Change (APNU-AFC) coalition which lost power is currently before the High Court. (CMC)
