Coalition says open to dialogue on way forward …maintains fraudulent votes cannot be used to declare winner

The APNU+AFC coalition on Wednesday said it is open to dialogue with other political parties and stakeholders on the way forward for Guyana, but maintains that it will do all in its powers to ensure that fraudulent votes do not factor into declaring a winner of the March 2, 2020 elections.

In a statement Wednesday the coalition said General and Regional Elections were held on 2nd March 2020 yet the results of those elections had not been declared by Monday 20th July, twenty weeks afterwards. The coalition said delays in the declaration of results were caused, in part, by several appeals which were made during this period – to the Supreme Court of Judicature, the Court of Appeal of Guyana and the Caribbean Court of Justice – to provide interpretations of electoral and other laws and to resolve problems arising from the elections. The people of Guyana await a credible ‘Declaration’ by the Guyana Elections Commission.

“A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC Coalition) is committed to a lawful and credible declaration of results based on valid votes. The Coalition has taken note of the ruling of Chief Justice Roxane George on 20th July 2020 in the case of Mesinga Jones v Guyana Elections Commission Chairman et al. The APNU+AFC Coalition, as always, remains committed to the judicial process. That process is incomplete as it stands and the matter has been appealed in the Guyana Court of Appeal. Such an appeal is lawful, proper and guaranteed under the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, our supreme law. The Coalition will await the outcome of the appeal,” the coalition said in the statement.

“The APNU+AFC Coalition is resolved to ensure that fraudulent votes, cannot be factored in to represent the will of the electorate. Any attempt to include fraudulent votes in a ‘Declaration’ will constitute a violation of the Constitution and the fundamental principles of democracy. We maintain that the Elections Commission can only make a ‘Declaration’ based on valid votes,” the statement added.

According to the coalition, the recount process which was conducted, painstakingly, for thirty-three days revealed massive irregularities and extensive fraud which cannot be foisted on the Guyanese people to contrive an outcome that betrays the will of the electorate.

“The APNU+AFC Coalition, in the national interest, and with a view to maintaining stability and peace, remains open to dialogue with other political parties and stakeholders on the way forward for our country. The APNU+AFC Coalition is prepared to act responsibly to bring a resolution to the ongoing political situation. We implore all Guyanese to remain calm and peaceful as we await a credible and legitimate outcome,” the statement concluded.