Canada ups call for elections declaration …GMSA says citizens patience running thin

The Government of Canada has stated that it will do all it can, working with its international partners, to bring a “swift and transparent conclusion” to Guyana’s March 2, 2020 elections and will “hold accountable those who prevent it”.

In statement today, Global Affairs Canada said that it “strongly regrets” the delay which has now lasted more than four months and announced its support for regional and international governments that have called on Guyana to conclude their elections.

“We support calls by the Organization of American States, the Caribbean Community [CARICOM], the Commonwealth, the Caribbean Court of Justice and civil society organizations to announce the results based on the national recount, as validated by the CARICOM observer mission,” Global Affairs Canada stated, adding:

“In the interest of the democratic rights of the people of Guyana, Canada firmly maintains that the rule of law and democratic processes must be respected and a declaration be announced without further delay…Canada will continue to work with its partners in the international community, using all tools at our disposal, to demand a swift and transparent conclusion to the election process and hold accountable those who prevent it.”

The statement from Canada comes on the heels of another statement made by United States (U.S.) Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo at a press briefing this morning.

Pompeo announced that visa restrictions will be placed on individuals “responsible for or complicit in undermining democracy in Guyana”. This is even as the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is yet to make a declaration on the elections which would lead to the swearing-in of a new President.

The actions also come as the matter of a final declaration from the Election Commission is before Chief Justice, ag of the Supreme Court of Judicature, Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire, CCH, SC.

Private citizen, Misenga Jones, has moved to the High Court in an attempt to compel GECOM to declare the results of the General and Regional Elections in accordance with the Declarations made by the 10 Returning Officers in mid-March as advised by the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield.

Jones, a registered voter from Tucville Georgetown, wants the Presidential Candidate to be deemed elected, in keeping with those declarations and the advice of the CEO and not on the basis of the data generated during the National Recount.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) has also added its voice to the matter calling for an end to the ongoing political crisis and a transition to new Government.

It said that despite undertakings and commitments to respect the results of the Recount Process conducted by GECOM and overseen by CARICOM and other observers, attempts continue to thwart the declaration of the winner of the March 2020 elections.

“The political impasse, the absence of a functional Government, the COVID 19 pandemic and the lack of a coherent and comprehensive response, have made it difficult for businesses to operate. As a result, many have closed, resulting in losses of jobs and income for Guyanese. A continuation of this current situation will have disastrous consequences on the business community and the economy,” the GMSA stated.

It joined to Private Sector Commission (PSC) and other private sector organisations, civil society, other local organisations and groups and the international community in calling for a swift conclusion to this political impasse, the declaration of the results based on the recount process.