UN urges parties to accept decision of CCJ as final

Secretary General of the United Nations has called on political leaders here to accept the decision of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as final and refrain from any act that may fuel tensions or incite violence.

In response to questions, Stéphane Dujarric Spokesman for UN Secretary General, Mr. António Guterres said the Secretary-General has taken note of the 8 July ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice, as final instance. Dujarric said Mr Guterres stresses the importance of announcing final official results of the 2 March general and regional elections to the Guyanese people as soon as possible to end an impasse that has lasted more than four months. The Secretary-General also called on all political leaders and their supporters to recognise and accept the final official results and refrain from any act or statement that may fuel tensions or incite violence.

Only last week UN Resident Coordinator in Guyana, Ms. Mikiko Tanaka had urged political leaders to help forge peace as the country awaits the decision of the Caribbean Court of Justice, regarding the March 2, 2020 elections. “As the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice is awaited, we call on all political leaders and their supporters to remain patient and refrain from acts and remarks that could incite hostility or violence,” Tanaka said in a terse statement Friday morning. She added: I would like to reiterate the United Nations’ commitment to continue to support the people of Guyana.”

On Wednesday the CCJ invalidated a report by the Chief Elections Officer which gave the coalition victory at the March 2, 2020 polls based on valid votes. The court also despite strenuous arguments said it had jurisdiction to hear an appeal by the PPP/C while setting aside an earlier ruling by the Court of Appeal which ordered that more votes cast means more valid votes cast. The CEO report had given the coalition victory by 33 seats to the PPP 31 and the joinder party one seat. The report by the CEO assessed all the 2,339 ballot boxes and separated those votes that have been deemed invalid based on the laws of Guyana and the gazetted order of the recount.