Guyana Elections Commission Chair Instructs CEO To Submit Elections Report, Using Recount Results, By 1PM Tomorrow; OAS Welcomes Decision

GEORGETOWN, Guyana June 17, 2020 — The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chair, retired Justice Claudette Singh, yesterday, officially instructed Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, to “prepare and submit” a final elections report to the Commission, by 1PM tomorrow.

In a letter, addressed to the CEO, the Chair was specific in her instructions — “Pursuant to Article 177 (2) (b) of the Constitution and Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act Chapter 1:03″ — requesting that Lowenfield, in preparing the report, should use “the results of the recount”, which shows the main opposition, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), convincingly, winning the elections by 15,416 votes.

Once Lowenfield’s report is received by the Chair, it is expected that she will make an official declaration of the results of the March 2 elections, preparing the way for PPP/C presidential candidate, Irfaan Ali, to be sworn-in as Guyana’s ninth Executive President.

The Organization of American States (OAS), yesterday, welcomed the decision of GECOM) to declare the results of the elections, based on the data compiled by the national recount.

In a statement, the OAS, which had sent an observer team to monitor the elections, said “as previously noted, the decision to conduct a national recount of all ballots, cast on March 2, was supported by stakeholders in the electoral process, as a means of determining a final credible result that was acceptable to all parties.

“The majority of these stakeholders, as well as local and international observers, present for the recount, have confirmed that the process was impartial, transparent and reliable and delivered a result that reflects the will of Guyanese voters.”

The OAS said it commends the people of Guyana for their patience during “this extended electoral exercise, and thanks the electoral workers for their diligence – both on Election Day and during the recount – in ensuring that the voices of all Guyanese voters were heard and respected.

“The constant vigilance of political parties and the service of local and international observers were also key to the final outcome and must be acknowledged and applauded,” the statement noted.

The OAS said that it was now looking forward “to the formal declaration of the results and the eventual swearing-in of the newly-elected government”.

“In this regard, the Organization remains available to provide such support that is required, as the new administration addresses the issues and challenges, emanating from the 2020 electoral process,” it concluded.