These suggested steps are all informed by the Constitutional mandate and legislative provisions which govern the operation of GECOM.

Mia Mottley has referred to ‘forces’ averse to the smooth operation of the electoral process.

For reasons best known to these ‘forces’, these common sense steps, which can clearly solve this national quagmire, are being deliberately avoided.

But, four weeks later, what is the state of play?

1. There is a call from the Prime Minister for an ‘inquiry into international interference into Guyana’s electoral process’! Well...charity begins at home. As someone who claims to have fought for democracy all his life, one would have thought that Moses Nagamootoo would be more interested in uncovering the interference that surrounded the clearly fraudulent declarations issued by RO Mingo and his flagrant violation of the law and Court orders!

2. There is a ruling from Justice Holder against disclosure of Statements of Poll purportedly used to arrive at the declaration aforesaid. As an officer of the court, I am obliged to respect the ruling until lawfully set aside, and I so do, even if I disagree with it. What I find disconcerting is the almost violent objections by the Chief Elections Officer, Kieth Lowenfield, to the disclosure of these public documents. It should not have been the subject of a court action from the inception. As a public official who is the custodian of official documents that were public posted outside polling stations since e-day, he should be eager to vindicate his position.
Does he form part of the ‘forces’ to which PM Mottley referred?

3. Justice Holder is set to rule on the reliefs sought by Ulita Moore, which include a declaration that GECOM ought not conduct a recount, of any sort, of the ballots cast in the 2 March 2020 elections. GECOM is a constitutional body clothed with statutory restrictions on inquiry into its deliberations and decisions. GECOM recognized the patent flaws in its process and decided to undertake a recount.
It is one of the few ways to restore credibility and integrity to the process, the organization...even the country, I dare say.
Is the resistance to a recount part of the ‘forces’ to which PM Mottley referred?

4. An appeal has been filed against Justice Holder’s rulings. This comes up for hearing at 1100 hours today, while Justice Holder’s court resumes at 1300 hours.

In the meantime, we wait...the nation and the world waits with bated breath. The admonition of Ralph Ramkarran about “waiting while the Old Gumbie Cat, Jennyanydots, sits, and sits, and sits, and sits” should be heeded.

Guyana deserves better.