Dear Editor,
Freddie Kissoon`s Kaieteur News column of February 25 challenges me to respond to the following question: “do you think the result of the March election …, was factual, fair and legal?” That is a question which I publicly answered in July, 2020 by way of a publication entitled: “General and Regional Elections 2020 – The Case for a Non-Declaration”; and in other media. However, for the benefit and possible edification of Freddie and his ilk, here is the concluding paragraph of that publication, which is the summative answer to the issue which I previously addressed, on my own volition.
“Given the pillars on which my submission to the Commission was premised: ‘that no voter should be disenfranchised and only valid votes should be counted’ I can only reiterate my contention that the only resolution to the problem is for a non-declaration and a new process that reaffirms the enfranchisement of all and negates the impact of fraudulent votes.’
If Freddie and his ilk have a real interest in this answer, the publication was lodged at the National Library and an electronic copy can be delivered upon request.
May I also take this opportunity, on the anniversary of March 2, to put on record two other views.
- Charandass`s vote, on the No Confidence Motion, was one of the most reprehensible and immoral acts in the history of Guyana`s politics. Unfortunately, it epitomizes the nature of politics in Guyana. How could he have used a vote, afforded him through allegiance to a particular party, to bring that party to its knees and erode the electoral will of the people. A conscience vote is the expression of a differing view. It is not intended to be a Sword of Damocles drawn against the house in which you are a guest. Charandass was not directly elected and had no individual mandate. His act was much like the killing of Julius Caesar. Beware the “Ides of March”.
- Many are vilified for the agonizing wait of six months, as if it was not the mutual agreement of the PPP/C and the APNU-AFC that occasioned the wait. Suffice to say that, had the Commissioners stuck to their task and had they been sufficiently competent and vigilant, the wait would not have been necessary. The Commissioners abandoned their central post where they were certifying and receiving a copy of each and every Statement of Poll. They disarmed themselves of the tools that would have empowered them to challenge any attempt to declare a fraudulent result. Unlike the era of Doodnauth Singh, when a result was declared without the Commission`s approval, 2001 and beyond required the Commission`s approval and as of 2020, the Commissioners were in physical custody of certified copies. They were in a position to turn back any attempt of fraud, as was done in 2011, although in 2011 the Commissioners were denied copies of the Statements of Poll and prevented from recording the results. Alas, in 2020 the Commissioners abdicated their duty and joined the riotous band, and may now be branded the “Defenders of Democracy”.
Beware the “Ides of March” that mask many untold stories. Let the facts be told. To each his/her truth.
Vincent Alexander
GECOM Commissioner
