Guyana rejects call to re-open borders to accommodate foreign observers

Georgetown, Guyana | The Granger administration has told the United States that it remains “confident in the legitimacy, credibility and competence” of the 3-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM) team observing the recount of ballots cast in the disputed March 2 regional and general elections.

Foreign Affairs Minister, Karen Cummings, in a letter sent to the US Ambassador, Sarah-Ann Lynch, reiterated that Georgetown would not be opening its borders to accommodate any representatives from the US-based Carter Center and the International Republican Institute (IRI) “to participate in the recount of the votes”.

The US diplomat had sent a diplomatic note on May 14 seeking assistance in the re-admission of the officials, went on a local radio station, indicating the officials from the Carter Center and the IRI “did not get to complete their work because of course the election is still ongoing”.

“They are still accredited and they would very much like to come back in and we think it is a very good idea to have a more robust international observation effort. It is just terrific that CARICOM scrutineers are here as well as a couple of folks from the Organization of American States (OAS),” she said, noting that these other “observers” amounted to only 5 and “there are 10 counting stations, so there are not even enough international observers for each counting station.”

In her letter, the Foreign Minister reiterated that “CARICOM remains the most legitimate interlocutors in the Guyana situation and that Guyana is, equally, confident in the legitimacy, credibility and competence of the CARICOM team to perform its task.”

She said further that “owing to the public health situation which arose as a consequence of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and the series of emergency measures that were promulgated since March 16, including the imposition of a curfew and closure of its international airports; it may not be possible for the Carter Center and IRI Advisor to participate in the overseeing of the recount of votes cast on the March 2 General and Regional Elections which as you are aware has already commenced.”

She also appealed to countries and agencies to respect the decision made by the Guyana government to protect its citizens from the Coronavirus.

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is holding the recount after both the ruling coalition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the main opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) claimed victory at the polls for control of the 65-member National Assembly. -(CMC)