Valid votes already determined by GECOM; nothing preventing declaration – Jagdeo

Reacting to the ruling of the Court of Appeal today, General Secretary of the Peoples Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), Bharrat Jagdeo said that there is nothing preventing the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) from moving ahead in making an official declaration of the results of March 2 General and Regional Elections since the issue of “valid votes” has already been “settled” by the Commission.

Jagdeo was at the time giving an initial reaction to the decision by the Court of Appeal regarding the interpretation of Article 177 (4) of the Constitution of Guyana in the case  brought by Coalition supporter, Eslyn David.

“The issue of valid votes had already been determined by the Commission and should set the stage for a declaration,” Jagdeo said during a virtual presentation.

He explained that the Commission had already decided what valid votes are when it directed Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, to present his report based on the figures coming out of the national recount which show that the PPP/C has secured more valid votes that any other party that contested the polls.

“Total valid votes have already been determined by the Commission…They didn’t do it on the whims or the fancies of the APNU or Lowenfield, they did it on the basis of documentary evidence presented to them by Lowenfield,” Jagdeo posited.

Jagdeo added that all the International and Local Observers have already determined that the recount was credible and the final declaration should be on the basis of those results.

“On the question of validity of votes, clearly the Court of Appeal could not mean that Lowenfield or any single political party, and in this case APNU, can solely determine what valid votes are.”

“This has to be determined on a process…and we are contending that this is already catered for in our laws,” Jagdeo argued.

The General Secretary said that the coalition is desperately trying to use all avenues, including the court system and elements within the electoral machinery to hang on to power.

“Lowenfield and APNU are not trying to determine valid votes, they are trying to invalidate valid votes. That is the issue here.”

Jagdeo noted that based on the narrative being pushed by the Coalition, “285,000 voters will lose their votes.”

The Court of Appeal today agreed by majority decision to issue an order that there be an interpretation of the words “more votes are cast” in Article 177 (2) (b) of the Constitution of Guyana.

Bharrat Jagdeo, General Secretary of the Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C)

Claudette Singh cannot change her mind. Lowenfield is responsible for all the delays in counting the vote.  They had time to steal the papers that were missing from 41 boxes.  This is what they do, Cheat.  History tells us that they cannot run a country because they always succeeded in bankrupting the country.   

So after reading most of the posts here, It is now Lowenfield with the ball in his court.

Feel like lil souse an black pudding all of a sudden.

@Sheik101 posted:

So after reading most of the posts here, It is now Lowenfield with the ball in his court.

Feel like lil souse an black pudding all of a sudden.

They will vote and there is going to be a tie. Claudette Singh will cast the deciding vote.  She was a judge and well versed in the constitution.  She knows that the courts were biased towards the PPP. She will make up her own mind.

@Ramakant-P posted:

They will vote and there is going to be a tie. Claudette Singh will cast the deciding vote.  She was a judge and well versed in the constitution.  She knows that the courts were biased towards the PPP. She will make up her own mind.

How many here are ready to believe this.

From day 1 Gecom was an APNU apparatus and still is. Some of u ade banking too much on Claudette. But let's not get excited. Wait and see.

I find it kinda strange that time like now, the bongo drums would be beating in the streets . But Georgetown is telling me nothing of the kind playing out. Ah wonda why?

@Ramakant-P posted:

They will vote and there is going to be a tie. Claudette Singh will cast the deciding vote.  She was a judge and well versed in the constitution.  She knows that the courts were biased towards the PPP. She will make up her own mind.

Hey hey hey...yuh putting all yuh egg foh she fetch? Hey hey hey...

@Ramakant-P posted:

They will vote and there is going to be a tie.

Claudette Singh will cast the deciding vote. 

She was a judge and well versed in the constitution.  She knows that the courts were biased towards the PPP. She will make up her own mind.

Not necessarily so.

Situation could arise that .....

1. Two or all of the government Commissioners can indeed stay away from the meeting.

2. In that case, the meeting must be cancelled for the rules explicitly states that; as a minimum; two Commissioners each from the government and the opposition sides must be present at the meeting.

Now another meeting can be called and the same situation may arise that two government commissioners continues to be absent. The Chairman of GECOM must wait for two days to call another meeting.

After the two-day period, GECOM Chairman can again call a meeting which can proceed if two or the three government commissioners are missing.

In other words ... after the calling of a few meetings where two or all of the government commissioners are missing; the Chairman then has the right under the laws and procedures for GECOM to call a meeting and proceed with business with the opposition members plus herself -- which is four - 4- members of the commission.

GECOM Chairman plus the three opposition members form a quorum and all matters taken at that meeting becomes valid.

@Ramakant-P posted:

They will vote and there is going to be a tie. Claudette Singh will cast the deciding vote.  She was a judge and well versed in the constitution.  She knows that the courts were biased towards the PPP. She will make up her own mind.

There is no more vote. This vote was cast by Mrs Singh, hence her instruction  to Lowenfield to prepare a report on the results of the recount to submit to the Commission for a declaration.This clears the way for PPP/C Presidential Candidate, Irfaan Ali to be sworn in as President following the declaration, as the recount has shown the PPP/C to have attained a clear lead of 15,416 votes.The report is to be made under Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act as stated in the gazetted recount order. 

There is no if and but. Its left to see what report Lowenfield will prepare. If he subvert the process, GECOM has the authority to declare the results and Lowenfield would amount to a conspiracy to commit electoral fraud and can be jail for life.

How is it going to be a tie?  Explain!

Jagdeo is absolutely right to say that the CEO, Keith Lowenfield is trying to invalidate valid votes.  These two judges  are the ones who agreed with the PNC that 32 is greater than 33 and the NCM case ended up at the CCJ. Why would I be surprised at the silly decisions these two clowns on the bench made today?  Their history on issues like this has been horrendous. 

APNU James Bond posted this last night. 

Mohabir Anil Nandlall

@Former Member posted:

There is no more vote. This vote was cast by Mrs Singh, hence her instruction  to Lowenfield to prepare a report on the results of the recount to submit to the Commission for a declaration.This clears the way for PPP/C Presidential Candidate, Irfaan Ali to be sworn in as President following the declaration, as the recount has shown the PPP/C to have attained a clear lead of 15,416 votes.The report is to be made under Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act as stated in the gazetted recount order. 

There is no if and but. Its left to see what report Lowenfield will prepare. If he subvert the process, GECOM has the authority to declare the results and Lowenfield would amount to a conspiracy to commit electoral fraud and can be jail for life.

Dave, I am sorry to tell you this but Irfaan isn't getting into office. This is why your party is already attempting to appeal today's decision. No matter what Jagdeo of Nandlall tells you, watch their actions. Today was a nail in the coffin for PPP/C.

Lowenfield will be declaring on valid votes, which is NOT the same as "recount results."

@Rochelle posted:

Dave, I am sorry to tell you this but Irfaan isn't getting into office. This is why your party is already attempting to appeal today's decision. No matter what Jagdeo of Nandlall tells you, watch their actions. Today was a nail in the coffin for PPP/C.

Lowenfield will be declaring on valid votes, which is NOT the same as "recount results."

 

Hey hey hey hey...suh de valid vote is de ones ayoo chuch goers spoil by disappear de document like how de buxton freedom figher disappear dem Indos pon de east coase? Hey hey hey...valid mean ayoo throw away de document? 

@Rochelle posted:

Dave, I am sorry to tell you this but Irfaan isn't getting into office. This is why your party is already attempting to appeal today's decision. No matter what Jagdeo of Nandlall tells you, watch their actions. Today was a nail in the coffin for PPP/C.

Lowenfield will be declaring on valid votes, which is NOT the same as "recount results."

 

Woman the court did not expand on what are valid votes. It is therefore up to Gecom to determine what are valid votes.
Gecom having already determined that the votes cast as per the recount are what it will consider as valid, GECOM can now go ahead and declare in accordance with the recount.... stop making up stories. 

@Rochelle posted:

Dave, I am sorry to tell you this but Irfaan isn't getting into office. This is why your party is already attempting to appeal today's decision. No matter what Jagdeo of Nandlall tells you, watch their actions. Today was a nail in the coffin for PPP/C.

Lowenfield will be declaring on valid votes, which is NOT the same as "recount results."

 

If you were a Lawyer, you would have been disbarred by now. Stop making up stories, your PNC handlers are feeding you lies.

@kp posted:

If you were a Lawyer, you would have been disbarred by now. Stop making up stories, your PNC handlers are feeding you lies.

First they had a issue with Maths, now it is language... and these are the people who wants to run a country. For 5 years, they did nothing for their supporters and their supporters  are blind as to what is going on. BK and Rambarran ( two collie swimming with Harmon and Volda ( two black) defrauding the country.   

@Former Member posted:

Woman the court did not expand on what are valid votes. It is therefore up to Gecom to determine what are valid votes.
Gecom having already determined that the votes cast as per the recount are what it will consider as valid, GECOM can now go ahead and declare in accordance with the recount.... stop making up stories. 

Dave, the Court did expand on what a valid vote is. 

Under today's majority rule, a valid vote is one that can be reconciled with all requisite statutory documents as outlined under Order No. 60 of the recount.

That does not equate, nor should you believe it to mean all tabulated votes.

@Rochelle posted:

Dave, the Court did expand on what a valid vote is. 

Under today's majority rule, a valid vote is one that can be reconciled with all requisite statutory documents as outlined under Order No. 60 of the recount.

That does not equate, nor should you believe it to mean all tabulated votes.

"The Court of Appeal ruled that in determining the results of the elections, the country’s Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, must do so based on who received the most “valid” votes.

@Former Member posted:

The Chief Elections Officer in his report of the national vote recount showed the totals for the ten electoral districts which were signed off by GECOM’s own staff as being valid; when added up, Lowenfield’s report shows the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) winning the elections by 15, 416 votes.

 - Valid -

Specific word on all official documents signed by the respective officials for the tabulation of votes for each district.

One needs to see how the issues will evolve, basically from day to day.

@Former Member posted:

 - Valid -

Specific word on all official documents signed by the respective officials for the tabulation of votes for each district.

One needs to see how the issues will evolve, basically from day to day.

Thank you Sir and GECOM established ALL RECOUNT VOTES VALID, hence numbers from RECOUNT to be SUBMITTED!

@Former Member posted:

"The Court of Appeal ruled that in determining the results of the elections, the country’s Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, must do so based on who received the most “valid” votes.

But the Court did not block the Elections Commission from carrying out its work and granted a three-day stay of the order in which it inserted the word “valid” in the Constitution. The Representation of the People Act tells us what a valid vote is and what a valid voter is. 

The Chief Elections Officer in his report of the national vote recount showed the totals for the ten electoral districts which were signed off by GECOM’s own staff as being valid; when added up, Lowenfield’s report shows the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) winning the elections by 15, 416 votes.

Who ever feeding you the information is clueless.

@Rochelle posted:

Dave, the Court did expand on what a valid vote is. 

Under today's majority rule, a valid vote is one that can be reconciled with all requisite statutory documents as outlined under Order No. 60 of the recount.

That does not equate, nor should you believe it to mean all tabulated votes.

The court DID NOT expand on what a valid vote is , but instead insert the word VALID in the constitution, which is a amendment to our constitution  that only parliament can do... but so much for PNC in abusing the laws of Guyana and you people is contend.

PLAN FOR RECOUNT OF VOTES CAST FOR LIST OF CANDIDATES GENERAL AND REGIONAL ELECTIONS 2020

Prepared by GECOM Secretariat 27 April 2020

Prepared by GECOM Secretariat under the guidance of the Commission - 27/04/2020

Source - https://guyana.crowdstack.io/fileSen...020%20%20%282%29.pdf

On page 5 of the document

5d. In order to establish the credibility of the recount it will be conducted in a two-step method:

  i. Ascertain the number of electors who appeared to have voted at the polling station.

 ii. Count the used ballots -- valid votes, rejected and destroyed ballots and unused ballots against

 iii. In the event of any dispute in relation to the validity of a ballot paper, the counting clerk will consult with the Team Supervisor of that workstation. If the matter remains unresolved the Supervisor must consult with the CEO.

@Django posted:

Who ever feeding you the information is clueless.

Grasping at straws.

@Django posted:

Who ever feeding you the information is clueless.

You are the only intelligent person.   

@Former Member posted:

You are the only intelligent person.   

Ha..ha.. quite come back ,try to be original ,most of the post aren't yours. Intelligent to decipher that.

The definition of an invalid vote is quite clear in the representation of the people's act and invalid votes were not included in the recount; therefore all the votes in the recount are by definition VALID.

@Django posted:

Ha..ha.. quite come back ,try to be original ,most of the post aren't yours. Intelligent to decipher that.

Why is my comments  a concern to you, big man gawn so... looking  for a argument. 

@Former Member posted:

Grasping at straws.

I am exhausted. Even use of layman terms to explain the Court's ruling isn't getting through.

Probably a doodle pad for toddlers may work? I'm running out of ideas here. Help!

Dave is your PPP ready for a new election with a cleaned up list?

@Former Member posted:

PLAN FOR RECOUNT OF VOTES CAST FOR LIST OF CANDIDATES GENERAL AND REGIONAL ELECTIONS 2020

Prepared by GECOM Secretariat 27 April 2020

Prepared by GECOM Secretariat under the guidance of the Commission - 27/04/2020

Source - https://guyana.crowdstack.io/fileSen...020%20%20%282%29.pdf

On page 5 of the document

5d. In order to establish the credibility of the recount it will be conducted in a two-step method:

  i. Ascertain the number of electors who appeared to have voted at the polling station.

 ii. Count the used ballots -- valid votes, rejected and destroyed ballots and unused ballots against

 iii. In the event of any dispute in relation to the validity of a ballot paper, the counting clerk will consult with the Team Supervisor of that workstation. If the matter remains unresolved the Supervisor must consult with the CEO.

This was prior to the Order No. 60. That very document is the blueprint that was used as a guideline for the recount process. 

GECOM to meet at 11a tomorrow. Reminder that the SORs are signed off by GECOM & all votes are valid. The Court says only valid votes must be considered. Over to you Chairwoman.

@Django posted:

Ha..ha.. quite come back ,try to be original ,most of the post aren't yours. Intelligent to decipher that.

Dave reminds me of someone without a mind of his own. Searches for video clips of others opinion that align with his position and posits it as facts.

@Former Member posted:

GECOM to meet at 11a tomorrow. Reminder that the SORs are signed off by GECOM & all votes are valid. The Court says only valid votes must be considered. Over to you Chairwoman.

You can't make this stuff up. And in large font, too. 

Thanks, Dave, for the kind reminder. I really needed that emphasis.

OMG, what a day its been.  

@Rochelle posted:

I am exhausted. Even use of layman terms to explain the Court's ruling isn't getting through.

Probably a doodle pad for toddlers may work? I'm running out of ideas here. Help!

I think it is getting through but there is non acceptance because of what it means. So they deflect and deny. It may be best to let it play out in the actual release  of the results and we go from there.

Is that the PPP brainthrust running mad after the court ruling.