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Consensus politics is the way forward I HAVE written letters to the newspapers saying ‘consensus politics’ is the way forward. Consensus politics is where we compromise, build trust and mutual understanding and, dare I say it, respect for each other. Sometimes people get too wrapped up in what they are doing to see the bigger picture. What can be so difficult in seeing that both the Opposition and Government want the same thing, that is, to ensure a better life for the Guyanese people. I suggest the way forward is to practise consensus politics. That is, looking at where we can work together. Remember, we are not here forever. The very best we can hope for is to leave better institutions in place than those which we inherited. SEAN ORI/SEAN MCLEAN
ECHO delighted at Mr Granger’s election to highest office in Guyana CONGRATULATIONS on your election to t h e P re s i d e n c y o f t h e Cooperative Republic of Guyana. Echo is delighted that voters have elected you to the highest office in our beloved country. A s y o u k n o w, w e advocate for good environmental stewardship and have organised many local activities to raise
environmental awareness among local communities. In that regard, we look forward to your active support, to our advocacy. We are happy, too, with your public announcement on Saturday May 8, 2015, of your intention to set up a special environmental fund for future generations. We believe the best investment we can make for the
future is the protection and preservation of our environment and natural resources. It will always pay rich dividends. Best wishes as you begin your term in office. ROYSTON KING Executive Director Environmental Community Health Organisation
SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 17, 2015
The APNU+AFC coalition carried out a fantastic campaign - far more effective than the PPP and deserves a victory
I WRITE to applaud GECOM for its difficult work in the elections. Organising and holding an election in Guyana are no easy tasks. Counting the ballots and declaring the winner is even more difficult. And several questions have been raised about the credibility of the conduct of the elections and the certification of the results that cannot be dismissed. It should not be a court matter. It should be an accounting matter that can be easily rectified. Evidence has been presented to challenge the counting of the ballots and the tabulation of the results. Serious allegations have been made and there were even suggestions of a conspiracy (between GECOM staff and another party) and attempts to cover up fraud. In order to remove any doubts about the outcome, GECOM should seek to undertake a recount of the ballots and a verification of the SoPs along with those given to the parties immediately after the ballots were counted. It is not too much to
ask when there is a cloud of suspicion, especially when there is a close outcome. The Elections Commission must give the reassurance that it is not politically biased. As reported, GECOM’s chairman stated that all the ballots were recounted, as requested by the PPP in Regions 1, 2, and 8. We now learn, from the PPP, that no recounts were undertaken, and that only the SoPs were recounted. GECOM, therefore, has misled the public and the diplomatic community, if what the PPP is claiming is true. We are told that the Returning Officers (ROs) are opposed to a recount. If there were suspicions about the result, why would they be opposed to a recount? If the count is right, and they are confident about their numbers, why not have a second count? It won’t take long and it would have erased all doubts about an APNU+AFC victory. It is imperative that the Elections Commission act with alacrity and remove concerns that it is contaminated with politically biased staff, including ROs.
The public would also like to know how faked SoPs ended up in the office for input into the computers to determine the winner (but that is for a subsequent investigation). The APNU+AFC coalition carried out a fantastic campaign, far more effective than the PPP and deserves a victory. But the party should oppose a recount, failing which it will cast doubt about its earned victory. The party should agree to a recount forthwith, since it will not want to be viewed as being elected under a cloud of suspicion. The PPP has requested that 22 boxes be recounted in Region 4, where the party felt the numbers are not correct. The party says if the counts correspond to what are on its tally sheets, it will concede the results. That is a fair request. APNU+AFC should agree to the recount to erase all doubts that it has won. Even if APNU+AFC forms the government as seems inevitable, a recount is in order. GECOM should act immediately. VISHNU BISRAM
Congratulations to President Granger and his new Government I, Brandon Jones, Prime Ministerial Candidate of the United Republican Party (URP) differ and as such separates myself from any comments made by the URP in relations to a recount of ballots in the May 11, 2015 recently concluded polls. I believe to the best of my knowledge and belief that the results announced by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) are correct and the elections were conducted ‘free, fair and creditable’. As such, I will like to extend to Mr David Granger and the Executive of the APNU+AFC alliance my profound congratulations on his historic victory in the May 11, 2015 General and Regional Elections. Please know that you can count on my support and best wishes as you assume the duties of President and Commander-in-Chief of our beloved nation Guyana. It has been a keenly contested election and at the helm of the struggle I was heartened by your parallel belief in the development of Guyana and its people; and your will to put Guyana first. I believe Guyana is at a critical juncture in its development and I am trusting your leadership will guide the nation in a direction that will return the country to social, economic and political harmony, a country where every citizen regardless of ethnic origin, political persuasion or religious belief can live peacefully and achieve the Guyana Dream. My message is one of hope, freedom and opportunity which I know resonate with all across the spectrum of this great country of ours. I anticipate that there will be difficult times ahead as you and your team strive to rebuild our nation and to restore the dignity and pride of every Guyanese. As you restore internal security and put in place systems to ensure our territorial integrity, may the Good Lord, who has so blessed Guyana, grant you and all those who serve with you wisdom, strength and compassion in the coming years. BRANDON JONES Prime Ministerial Candidate (URP)