Roman Catholic Bishop, Francis Alleyne

[www.inewsguyana.com] – The Roman Catholic Church in Guyana has called on the losing Party to “concede defeat immediately upon the declaration of the 2015 election results by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM),”and for the winner to magnanimously accept, “so that as one people we can focus with resolve on the critical business of nation building.”

The preliminary results shows a victory in favour of the APNU+AFC coalition and GECOM is expected to declare the official results of the election today.

The data indicates that out of 410, 391 ballots cast, the PPP/C managed to acquire, 201,457 which is 5,360 votes short of the figure acquired by the APNU+AFC which is 206,817

Head of the Church in Guyana, Bishop Francis Alleyne in a media release noted that GECOM’s preliminary results “show a photo-finish, with APNU+AFC likely to be declared the winner.”

He is urging that “the declaration of the elections results be done quickly so that the voice and good will of the People is not taken for granted.”

He praised the electorate for their exemplary conduct in turning out, exercising their civil responsibility and waiting patiently as well as the various endorsements on the electoral process are a credit “to us all and deserve the greatest respect.”

Additionally, the Bishop noted that given the closeness of the results, as well as the divisiveness of the campaign, it is clear that much work lies ahead to build lasting reconciliation and trust.

“The well-known adage says ‘forgive and forget’. In reality we don’t forget but we can remember without the bitterness and pain: we can be healed and reconciled and trust again and must claim this.”

“I pray that as a people we encourage and support one another in broad-based inclusion in the governance and life of the nation.”

Guyana’s Ambassador to Kuwait, Odeen Ishamel s

[www.inewsguyana.com] – One of Guyana’s senior Ambassadors, Odeen Ishamel says that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) should concede victory to the APNU+AFC alliance which has won the May 11 2015 National polls.

Ishmael is currently Guyana’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Kuwait and concurrently (from 2013) as non-resident Ambassador to Qatar.

In political life, Ambassador Ishmael served in the Central Committee and the leadership of the Progressive Youth Organization from 1972 to 1982 and in the Central Committee of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) of from 1980 to 1988.

In a recent Facebook post, Ishmael said “it is my firm opinion that the PPP should concede since any recount will not statistically change the result of the elections as announced by GECOM.”

According to Ishmael by conceding victory, President Donald Ramotar will in no lesser ways demonstrate the unity that is needed to take Guyana forward.

“Good leadership is essential especially at this time; and by conceding and with the outgoing president meeting with the incoming president and offering working cooperation, at least that will be aptly demonstrated clearly to all Guyanese,” said Ishmael.

By Jomo Paul

PPP Member, Clinton Urling

[www.inewsguyana.com] – Recently ordained People’s Progressive Party/Civic Member Clinton Urling has congratulated the victors of the 2015 General and Regional Elections, but said that it is not conceding victory to the APNU+AFC.

The results of the May 2015, General and Regional Election indicate a clear victory in favour of the APNU+AFC Coalition.

The data indicates that out of 410, 391 ballots cast, the PPP/C managed to acquire, 201,457 which is 5,360 votes short of the figure acquired by the APNU+AFC which is 206,817.

APNU+AFC attracted 201, 324 votes in the Regional polls, while the PPP/C got 198, 148 votes.

Urling in a Facebook post said “GECOM and the people have spoken… congrats to the victors…the PPP will remain a strong party in the years to come.”

When contacted and asked if his statement is indicative of an acceptance of an APNU+AFC victory, Urling made it clear that he was not conceding anything.

“There is no conceding of anything…I have said from the inception and GECOM has said it too await their results…all my action will be on whatever GECOM declared. I am going to go with what GECOM says…that statement was based on the preliminary results,” said the PPP/C candidate.

He pointed out that while his statement stands, there will be a difference of opinion should any incidents of fraud be uncovered.

“If the recount process proves that there were some incidents of fraud I’ll contend that, but if it doesn’t, my statement stands,” Urling told iNews.

GECOM has already said that any recounts will not alter the results of the election in such a significant way so as to change the winner.

By Tracey Khan – Drakes

British High Commissioner, James Gregory Quinn. [iNews’ Photo]

The incumbent People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) is alleging that there were hundreds of fake SOPs that were counted which led to the APNU+AFC winning the 2015 elections.

As such, the Party is maintaining that it will not concede defeat in the face of numerous calls by both local and international observers and diplomats for the Party to concede victory to the APNU+AFC coalition.

The British High Commissioner in a statement to iNews noted that “the fact that the Guyana Elections Commission itself found the so-called fake statements of polls and did not include them in the count is encouraging and should be seen in a positive light. This means that GECOM’s systems worked as they were designed to.”

But former President, Bharrat Jagdeo had said that the PPP/C is not giving up just yet, officially adding his voice to the Party’s decision not to concede defeat.

Jagdeo at a press conference on Thursday May 14 provided what he deemed “evidence” that indicates that the elections were rigged in favor of the APNU+AFC coalition.

The undeclared results of the election indicate that the APNU+AFC has managed to acquire 206, 817 votes while the PPP/C has acquired 201,457 votes, which means the coalition won by 5,360 votes.

The results effectively end a 23-year reign by the PPP/C which ascended to office in 1992 under the leadership of the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan.

Several documents were provided by Jagdeo as “evidence”; he explained that they showed “glaring instances” where the figures on the statements of poll in the possession of the PPP/C counting agents do not correlate with the ones in the possession of GECOM.

Chairman of GECOM, Dr. Steve Surujbally said the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) was lauded for finding the anomalies and highlighting them, and therefore he will address and fix them.

He recalled that as the SOPs came in, the Commissioners we were able to pick up that they were fake ones. The SOPs were printed by a Canadian company with a number of security features.

GECOM meanwhile stressed that the fake SOPs were not counted. In addition the media was told that the number of fake SOPs was not of that great quantum so as to disturb the outcome of the election.

Dr Surujbally further questioned what would make a person do such a reprehensible thing, which he stressed will absolutely go nowhere. However, he also accepted that it might go “there where, by those who want to make an issue.”

The Chairman added that given the close race, he can understand the importance being given to the need for checks and balances. And for this he is asking that trust be placed in the CEO to fix the anomalies.

U.S Embassy, Georgetown, Guyana

[www.inewsguyana.com] – The United States Embassy says it is in receipt of the recent allegations made by the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) that there were many fake Statements of Poll (SOPs) at the May 11 elections and has since looked into the claims.

The Embassy in a release noted that nothing contained therein changes its baseline assessment of the electoral process and maintains that the elections were free, fair & credible.

“Based on our observations of the polling, counting, and tabulation process and the conclusions reached by other international observer missions, we continue to assess that the election process was free and fair. We remain confident in the Guyana Elections Commission’s ability to deliver credible results that accurately reflect the way votes were cast by the Guyanese people on May 11,” the release noted.

The US Embassy is urging GECOM to continue with its important tabulation work and to provide verified results at the earliest possible opportunity.

“The United States Embassy understands the Guyanese people’s desire to see the final results of these elections. It is important, however, to provide the Guyana Elections Commission the time and space to conclude its work‎. We urge the people of Guyana to continue to exercise patience.”

The United States Embassy calls upon all political leaders to adhere to the Political Party ‎Code of Conduct, which specifically proscribes public criticism of the Guyana Elections Commission or interference with its work.

“We expect all parties to respect the final results of these elections,” the statement noted.

“GECOM, sometimes to the agitation of sections of the population, also went to great pains to ensure that all the results published were accurate and beyond question,” a statement from the GCCI noted.

The release added that the uncertainty created by, “this state of affairs has caused business, productivity and the entire country to grind to a halt.  As a nation we cannot continue to suffer because of the machinations of parts of our political establishment.”

It has urged that all parties accept the results of the elections. “There is a legal recourse available for all those who are dissatisfied with any part of the electoral process.”

Meanwhile, the Guyana Bar Association, the Association of Women’s Lawyers and the Justice Institute of Guyana has also issued a call for President Donald Ramotar and the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) to accept immediately the results of the elections held on May 11 and concede electoral; victory to the APNU+AFC coalition.

“Article 9 of our constitution states that sovereignty belongs to the people who exercise it through their representatives and the democratic organs established by or under the constitution,” a release stated.

It added that it is fundamental to democracy that the people are able to vote and replace elected representatives in periodic free and fair elections.

Brigadier David Granger

 “Our four organizations accept the conclusion of the various official observers that these elections were free and fair and reflect the will of the people…contrary to democracy to continue to delay the swearing in of Brigadier David Granger as President and handover of executive government to the APNU+AFC coalition,” the statement added.

“We are proud that the people of Guyana have shown great patience and restraint during this week. We look forward to a new Parliament based on respect for the rule of law and respect for the inherent dignity of each and every citizen of Guyana.”

They have also issued a call for citizens to continue to, “go about their business peacefully with dignity and respect for one another.”