Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_03_05_2020

THURSDAY 5th March, 2020

' No.105930

Nation awaits Region 4 results SEE PAGE 03

…verification suspended Wednesday night for want of agents …dispute over method of verification of Region 4 SOPs stalls declaration

‘Remain calm!’

---President Granger urges supporters to be patient as they wait official declaration of results

Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield addressing members of the media outside of GECOM’s media centre on Hadfield Street (Delano Williams photo)

EU observers: Elections took place in deeply- 09 polarised environment PAGE

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ASL helicopter lands at Ruimzeight foreshore …Brazilian detained

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 5, 2020

APNU+AFC

wins Region 7 THE A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) won Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) in both the Gen-

eral and Regional Elections, the District’s Returning Officer, Glendon Fredericks, declared on Wednesday.

In the General Elections,

the APNU+AFC secured 4,817 votes while its main opponent – the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) raked in 3,720. Unlike other smaller

parties-- the majority fairly new to the elections-- the Justice and Liberty Party (JLP) raked in 879 votes.

In the Regional Elections, the APNU+AFC received a total of 4,836 votes while the PPP/C got 3,692 votes, and JLP, 925 votes.

The results, when compared with that of the 2015 General Elections, show that the two major parties managed to pick up more votes this time around. In 2015, the APNU+AFC had gotten 4,599 votes while the PPP/C had secured 2,981 votes.

Based on results declared by Returning Officers in nine of the 10 administrative regions, the ruling coalition won Regions Seven, Eight and 10, while the PPP/C has won Regions One, Two, Three, Five, Six and Nine. GECOM, on Wednesday, encountered a number of stumbling blocks in its attempt to verify the more than 800 Statements of Polls in Region Four – the process being put on hold at least twice.

The verification process must be completed before the Returning Officer makes a declaration of results.

Business must go on -- small vendors say, as they await the elections results

Business in the City is gradually picking up after a virtual close following the General and Regional Elections on Monday.

On Wednesday, several vendors returned to work along Camp and Regent Streets and a few persons were milling about in the City During a walk down the streets of Georgetown, Guyana Chronicle caught up with a few citizens who shared their thoughts on the growing tension as Guyanese across the nation and oversees awaits the results of one of the most talked about and anticipated elections in the country.

Compton Sancho, in a brief remark, said Guyanese should take time to reminisce on the country’s motto and live by it as it preaches peace and unity among all the six peoples of Guyana.

Adding that persons should not let elections divide them, Sancho stated that despite their differences and shortcomings as human beings, Guyana as a diverse nation should be able to hold one head and overcome whatever hurdles they face as a country.

“Yesterday, we did have some closure of business place but today it’s a different scenario, I’ve seen people going about their business … I like to tell the people out there to keep calm, we are all one human being and we have to live together.

We can’t make elections segregate us, one people, one nation, one destiny we must understand that there are some short comings but we got to overcome that,” Sancho

related.

Meanwhile, Claremont Marks, a cellphone repair man was up and running as he opened for business as per normal.

The young man noted that despite whoever is declared the winner of the March 2020 elections, business has to go on and everyone has to work.

He added that it is now up to the people to keep the peace and remain calm as they wait for the official results from the Guyana Elections Commission. Marks also urged person to not adhere to any other source that may be posting or declaring any results and just be patient.

A woman who gave her name as ‘Melina’, who was in high spirits when she spoke to Guyana Chronicle, related that there is always a negative energy that fills the air whenever it is elections season in Guyana.

However, she added that such is disappointing to see since Guyanese are a people who usually speak peace and unity.

“Negativity impact persons, always expect some negative energy or conflict of interest but it has been peaceful so and it will remain so, so I don’t think they should be afraid and just open and carry one with business,” the woman stated.

Additionally, the enthusiastic woman noted that despite the outcome of the results, she is hoping that Guyanese of all colour, race, religion and political affiliation can somewhat build a bridge to mend the gap that is creating division in Guyana.

‘Remain calm!’

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 5, 2020

–– President Granger urges supporters to be patient as they await official declaration of results

–– hopes for some form of declaration today AS anxiety continues to grow over the impending announcement of results for the 2020 General and Regional Elections, incumbent President David Granger, who is at the helm of the in A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition, has urged the party’s supporters to remain calm as they await those results.

Over 600,000 Guyanese were eligible to vote in the 2020 General and Regional Elections on Monday and there were some 2,339 polling stations across the 10 administrative regions. Nine political parties contested the general elections and 11 in the regional elections.

It has been over 48 hours since the close of polls at 18:00hrs on Monday, and although results continue to “trickle in,” there has been increased anxiety because of the pace at which results are being declared by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

President Granger, who had hoped that the results would have already been declared, said the coalition is hoping for an official declaration of those results today by the Chairman of GECOM, Justice (ret’d), Claudette Singh.

“I cannot make a declaration tonight (Wednesday) because the elections commis-

sion itself has not received all of the declarations from returning officers,” said President Granger during an address to coalition supporters, who converged at the APNU+AFC’s headquarters at Lamaha Street on Wednesday evening.

In urging supporters of the coalition to remain patient and calm as they await the results, the President said: “Remain calm, we are awaiting a declaration by the elections commission and as soon as we get word, we will make a public announcement. It is not possible right now.

“So I crave your indulgence…patiently wait until the results come from the commission and as soon as that comes we will be in touch with you…I cannot give you an announcement, we are all watching and waiting.”

It is believed that results would have been declared sooner, but both the APNU+AFC coalition and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) – the main contenders in the elections-- raised concerns about some challenges in various administrative regions.

These challenges were noted by the elections body and verification of ballots was taking place up to press time on Tuesday.

“Right now, as I speak, verification is still

taking place, so the numbers have not been verified and we cannot make an announcement until the elections commission makes a declaration.

“All of us had hoped that by now the declaration would be made, but it will not be made tonight (Wednesday)…verification is going on throughout the night, so I ask you to be patient and we hope that tomorrow the chairman of the commission will make some form of declaration,” said President Granger.

In this regard, the President said it is “quite impossible” to make any announcement of results because “nobody” knows the final score.

The PPP/C had said: “The party also believes that Guyanese must remain calm and go about their business in a peaceful manner, as GECOM finalises the official results via its verification process.”

President Granger, weighing in on the electoral process on Monday, said he was satisfied with the electoral process, despite a few anomalies and abuses which the coalition had observed.

Meanwhile, Justice (ret’d) Singh has said that Guyana’s General and Regional Elections were free, fair and a major success, even as she called on Guyanese to demonstrate pa-

Incumbent President and presidential candidate of the APNU+AFC coalition, David Granger tience as the Elections Secretariat tabulates the votes for a preliminary or final declaration of the results.

She said that GECOM, despite facing a plethora of challenges in the lead up to Monday, March 2, smoothly executed the General and Regional Elections across the country’s 10 administrative regions. According to her, the elections were well run.

“We had a very well-run election, despite all of the naysayers,” the GECOM chair said. The Elections Commission, she said, is appreciative of the extensive work done by the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield and his team at the GECOM Secretariat. “On behalf of the Commission, I have to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to our CEO and his hardworking secretariat.

They did a fantastic job,” the GECOM Chair said.

But while the elections were executed with minor hitches, GECOM has been extremely slow in delivering the results, much to the dissatisfaction of the masses. Cognisant of this fact, Justice Singh has called on the nation to have patience.

“I will ask you to be very patient; the results are trickling in, and the process of verification is being conducted,” she said.

Nation awaits Region 4 results

… verification suspended Wednesday night for want of agents

… dispute over method of verification of Region 4 SOPs stalls declarations

By Lisa Hamilton GUYANA awaits the verification of Statements of Poll (SOPs) belonging to polling stations in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) before the final declaration of the results of Monday’s general and regional elections, even as the process was suspended twice on Wednesday due to disagreements on how they ought to be tabulated and the unavailability of staff respectively.

There was much commotion outside the tabulation and media centre of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Wednesday, after discrepancies were noted in the tabulation of the region’s SOPs. The process was therefore halted at around 15:30hrs by Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield.

The matter drew the attention of leaders and representatives from all political parties; members of the diplomatic corps; international and local observers and the GECOM Commission and staff which all made their

way to the centre located at the Ashmins building, downtown Georgetown.

By 17:00hrs, noticing the constant arrival of high-profile officials, a crowd began to form at the cross roads opposite the building.

The media had been notified earlier by Public Relations Officer (PRO), Yolanda Ward at 15:30hrs that party agents did not agree on the verification process for the region and the CEO therefore ended the process. The media quickly made their way over to the scene and, after a lengthy wait, was able to speak with the CEO when he exited the building.

He stated that the commission was scheduled to re-commence its verification process of SOPs collected for Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) on Wednesday, and did so smoothly until the Region’s Returning Officer (RO), Clairmont Mingo, fell ill and had cause to be hospitalised.

Mingo was seen being transported from the GECOM tabulation centre around 10:30hrs with an oxygen mask into a waiting ambulance with the assistance of medical

practitioners. “So, there was an initial stoppage. We couldn’t have recommenced until much later when the clerk to the Returning Officer was advised to continue the process,” he said.

It was shortly after the process recommenced at around 14:00hrs that an alarm was raised about discrepancies noted in the SOPs being tallied. Reports are that a summarised spreadsheet was used by a GECOM Clerk who took over from Mingo and the results on the sheet did not match that of the SOPs with the number of votes appearing higher than the number of voters.

“During the process some errors were discerned. We would have completed the first eight statements and there were some errors contained in six of eight statements, for example. The representatives of the parties along with the observers spoke with me, we stopped the process, I enquired what is [and] I was advised and I advised my staff along with the [party] agents and the observers that I’ll engage Madame Chair and

the Commissioners as to the way forward,” Lowenfield said.

Subsequently, Chair of the GECOM, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, deliberated with members of the commission and came to the decision that the SOPs for Region Four will be verified by “statement to statement”.

If errors continue, Lowenfield said that there is a prescribed procedure and if this too fails he will be involved with his SOPs to have a resolution to the issues. “Be prepared that we’ll be working through the evening to bring closure so that we can move to the next subset which is the declarations of the results of District Four,” an internal video which later surfaced showed Lowenfield telling those authorised to be in the center.

There are 300 plus statements for the Region to be completed and the process will commence with the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) followed by the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) and any other See page 10

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 5, 2020

Coronavirus: Italy to close all schools as deaths rise (BBC) Italy has confirmed that it will shut all schools from Thursday for 10 days as it battles to contain the coronavirus outbreak.

All schools and universities would close until 15 March, officials said.

A total of 107 people have now been killed by the coronavirus in Italy, which has the most serious outbreak in Europe.

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said the

country’s health service risked being overwhelmed.

Most of the more than 3,000 cases are in the north but others have been confirmed in 19 of Italy’s 20 regions.

Globally about 3,200 people have died and more than 90,000 have been infected, the vast majority in China, where the virus emerged late last year.

The World Health Organization has so far stopped short of declaring

Italy has the most serious outbreak in Europe

a pandemic - an epidemic spreading across the world through local transmission - but on Wednesday

Germany’s health minister said the coronavirus now met the definition.

“The situation is

Thursday, March 05, 02:00hrs - 03:30 hrs

changing very quickly...

What’s clear is that we have not yet reached the peak of the outbreak,” Jens Spahn said.

Confirmed cases have been reported in 81 countries, with Italy, Iran and South Korea emerging as hotspots outside China.

What is Italy doing?

Mr Conte called on all Italians to “do their part”.

“We are in the same boat, whoever has the helm has the duty to indicate the route, we must make an extra effort, we must do it together,” he said.

Education Minister Lucia Azzolina said she hoped students would be able to resume classes as soon as possible.

“My commitment is to ensure that the essential public service, albeit from a distance, is provided to all our students,” she said.

Local media said health experts and Italy’s health ministry had been in favour of closing schools. All professional sport in Italy, including Serie A football matches, will be played behind closed doors until 3 April, the government has said.

Italy’s death toll from the virus had jumped by 28 to 107, the Civil Protection Agency said on Wednesday. Most of the deaths have been in the Lombardy region around Milan, and in northern areas near Bologna and Venice.

Earlier measures including the quarantine of 11 towns near Milan with a combined population of 50,000 have failed to stop the spread of infections.

Italy is now also considering closing cinemas and theatres and banning public events, Reuters news agency reported, quoting a draft government decree.

The decree also tells Italians to avoid hugging and shaking hands as much as possible.

Which other countries have closed school?

Mainland China and Hong Kong, Japan, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates have already closed schools or are about to do so - affecting millions of schoolchildren.

France has also closed about 120 schools in areas with the largest numbers of coronavirus infections.

Both primary and secondary schools have been shut in an area north of Paris where the main cluster of French cases has emerged and where two people who have died of the virus lived.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 5, 2020

No ‘sign of peace’ in time of coronavirus (TRINIDAD NEWSDAY) Worried over the possibility of the coronavirus spreading among the faithful, Anglican Bishop Claude Berkley has instructed that the greeting of peace during Mass should be suspended with immediate effect.

In an interview at his office, Berkley commented on the significance of the greeting, saying that “it is the part of the eucharistic service where we express our love for God in a tangible way.” It is also known as the kiss of peace, and Berkley said that it is how the congregation “shares in that love” and engages in full fellowship with each other. People walk around the church and shake hands, hug and kiss family, friends and strangers.

Given the importance of the greeting, Berkley said the decision to suspend it did not come easily, especially because culturally, we are a “touchy people (who) greet in a tangible way.”

He said, “We wanted to consciously attempt to create awareness and to recognise the situation that

we are in,” adding that although the congregation may not like the decision, the church has a responsibility to care for parishioners.

Contrary to other reports, however, he was adamant that the suspension does not include intinction – the use of the chalice for communion – as yet. That decision is still pending.

He said the church was not yet concerned that this may be an issue because of the alcohol content of the wine and because the chalice is stainless steel, which is known to be a poor conductor of germs.

“It may or may not happen” he said.

Berkley said on Tuesday the ban on the sign of peace came after consultation with the Archbishop of the West Indies, Howard Gregory, who is based in Jamaica. Gregory advised that because of the easy transfer of the disease, these traditions have to be amended.

“Because the hands are the most (common) mode of infection...until further notice, we agreed to sus-

Anglican Bishop Claude Berkley. FILE PHOTO

pend the greeting of peace,” said Berkley. In a circular to the clergy, dated March 2, Bishop Berkley advised that in place of the sign of peace, faithful could use a

fist bump, slight bow, elbow bump and other physical non-contact gestures.

The circular also advised that hand and altar rails in churches be sanitised be-

fore and after each service; clergy should sanitise hands and attention should be paid to the handling of money from tithes.

The RC Church has not yet followed suit. In a statement from Catholic Media Services yesterday, it responded on the issue.

The statement, sent by media consultant Kaelanne Jordan, said while the church “joins in solidarity and prayer for those impacted or working to treat covid19...at this moment there is no change to the church’s liturgical celebrations.”

The church is said to be monitoring the situation closely and an interdisciplinary team has been set up within the church and the Archdiocese of Port of Spain to advise on the issue, following “guidelines and expertise of the Public Health/Epidemiology Department of the Ministry of Health.”

The statement also listed ways to reduce chances of infection, including isolating possibly infected people, regularly washing hands, and covering

the nose and mouth while sneezing and coughing. The church also said while people with a healthy immune system are likely to survive the outbreak, members should still keep abreast of the situation and of any updates on the archdiocese’s position on the church’s Facebook page (facebook. com/catholictt) and the Catholic News publication.

RC Archbishop Jason Gordon said that an official notice sent out on Saturday

by Msgr Esau Joseph, vicar for health and for the clergy to all priests, said “respecting good hygiene” was the most important thing at present.

“The people (who) have a flu, stay home.

Consult a doctor,” said Gordon, adding that as far as the church was aware, “There is no threat to Trinidad at this moment.”

In the February 16 issue of the Catholic News, Joseph was quoted as saying there were no prohibitions on performing the sign of peace or holding hands during the “Our Father” prayer at Mass.

Patriotic gets going...

Refinery inspection starts

(TRINIDAD GUARDIAN) The inspection of the Guaracara refinery by Patriotic Energies and Technologies which started on Monday will continue over the coming weeks and is expected to be concluded by month-end.

Energy Ministry officials confirmed this on Tuesday after the inspection began.

In mid-February Government indicated the visit would have taken place around that time take since Patriotic had requested to see the refinery and had sought additional information.

Yesterday, UNC whip David Lee, who urged Government to reveal the state of the refinery, said the asset had suffered a great deal of vandalism.

He added: “Vandalism was reported even before Petrotrin was closed and reports of problems continued after, at different locations.

It’s been on going at the refinery where a lot of infrastructure has been moved out as scrap and a lot of the property has been vandalised especially near where Petrotrin’s hospital was. Transparency demands that people know if this amount of vandalism might impact the sale.”

Patriotic was announced last year as the preferred bidder for the refinery after Petrotrin was closed and reshaped into three companies for exploration and production (Heritage) fuel supply importation (Paria Fuel Trading) and the refinery (Guaracara Refining company).

Discussions have been ongoing with Government up to recently.

In mid-February, Prime Minister Keith Rowley confirmed there’d been some delay on the negotiation pace and Government couldn’t go faster than Patriotic was prepared to.

He said Patriotic sought additional information and an expert review

of the plant. That was the first part of the process. He added a visit to the refinery by Patriotic would have been done the following week and it was hoped that by the end of March, a decision would be made about the final buyer.

OWTU leader Ancel Roget, however, immediately denied Patriotic wanted additional information, adding Patriotic was justified in seeking to visit the refinery since the plant was down for a year.

He said Patriotic had a worldclass team of local and foreign experts ready to inspect it.

Energy Minister Franklin Khan maintained Patriotic had sought addtional information though he projected amicable conclusion Khan said then the inspection would have started the following week.

When the inspection began, energy officials told Guardian Media

the visit wasn’t done when Government planned since it was agreed Carnival wasn’t the best time to embark on inspection.

Up to yesterday, Patriotic’s preliminary inspection was moving at a good pace and was receiving “good co-operation” from Paria Fuel Trading Company and Guaracara officials. Patriotic’s expected to submit a report on what’s been found.

Upcoming phases of the exercise will involve in-depth scrutiny of the asset including regarding the wear and tear aspect. The inspection is on track to be completed. by monthend.

Patriotic consultant sproject turnaround of the asset could be achieved within three months via a US$400 million injection.

Moves are being made to finalise the deal by mid-April ahead of Government’s mid-year review.

Among plans Patriotic projected was

investing $300 million in Petrotrin’s houses and golf course/club, and creation of up to 4,000 jobs during refurbishment/restart of the refinery and terminal.

Lee said the Opposition learned Rowley had visited the refinery with an foreign engineering firm recently.

Lee added: “Since closure, there are questions about the integrity of the assets. The public needs to know the situation since “unemployment is rising in South. In Marabella for instance there’s been a 40 per cent closure of small and medium businesses and Government’s alternative projects—La Brea Dry dock facility, Phoenix Park industrial park—haven’t moved,” Finance Minister Colm Imbert, who is acting for Khan— who is in London with the PM, did not reply to questions on the inspection.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 5, 2020

Elections, the Parliament and our people PARLIAMENT (the legislative branch of government) continues to be the nation’s highest decision-making forum. It comprises representatives from each of the 10 administrative regions and those at the national level, in what is referred to as the national top-up list.

It is the forum that makes decisions that are national in character, engages in debates and votes and approves the national programme for spending, i.e. , the national budget.

Included in its activities is provision for the establishment of sectoral and adhoc committees geared towards addressing issues in a more detailed manner.

These hallowed halls are considered sacred. In 1926, when Caribbean labour leaders held their first conference, the Parliament Building was chosen because of its significance and the focus of the labour leaders at that time. It was a time when Caribbean people were agitating for self-determination, which included Caribbean integration, universal adult suffrage, and internal self-government.

In holding the meeting there, the leaders were signalling to the colonial political directorate that the masses have within their midst persons capable of sitting in this branch of government and representing their interests.

With voting at that time being the prerogative of the land-owning and

educated classes, it meant the majority were excluded from participating in this vital act and in having an input in determining their future. Universal adult suffrage was achieved in Guyana in time for the 1953 elections, and its achievement was at the expense of blood, sweat and tears. A vote is an expression of an individual’s choice of representative, or position on given issues. By virtue of this exercise, one accordingly uses one’s power to approve or disapprove of a policy or person as representative. Voting is a right under our law; thus, when a vote is cast in electing party/representative of choice, it follows that representation will be had and valued.

While the parliament comprises a government and an opposition side, the average person would admit that, in voting for their representative of choice, it does not mean that that representative/ party would ignore any good suggestion/proposal from the other side. There is a general view among Guyanese that the politicians should, and could, work together.

When elections are over, apart from the leaders, the aggrieved and the few diehards who feel things must either go their way or be sent along the proverbial highway, people basically return to a life of normalcy wherein partisan politics is not a lurking/divisive force in their daily activities.

Were one to take a survey in any communal area (work, social event or market), it is not far-fetched to conclude that there would be found cordial interactions among persons who had voted for different political parties. It is this sense of camaraderie that generally informs day-to-day living and allows for nation-building, since it creates potential for positive relations that can lead to the flow of ideas and the nurturing of respect for each other. With this comes realisation that there can be spirited and robust debates, including disagreements, without the compulsion to feel it necessary to be disagreeable. It is not unreasonable of the masses to desire importation/adaptation of constructive deliberations as a norm in Parliament and among elected officials. This, however, does not mean that the principle of accountability which underpins good governance should be ignored. The desire is out of recognition and appreciation that Parliament was never designed to be an arena for bull fighting, scalping, and bitterness.

Parliament is a forum where ideas are expected to surface, spirited debates follow, and decisions taken through votes. Also factored in is that the programme of the government (executive branch) will not only be laid there, but will be examined and critiqued by members of the house and the interested

public, and of which the government will act objectively. And given that the constitution allows for any member to bring a bill, motion or question, it also means the opposition is allowed avenues to be proactive in shaping the nation’s agenda.

Yet, the Parliament has not been without its weaknesses and lack of direction for growth, in keeping with societal changes -- domestic and foreign.

The Commonwealth Secretariat’s Senior Parliamentary Staff Adviser Sir Michael Davies’s 2005 Report on our parliamentary system may be worthy of examination at this time. Outside of recommendations for development, the report included comparative analysis in the frequency of sittings and opportunities given to the opposition to bring motions and issues to the House during the periods of the PNC and PPP governments. The study found that, rather than improvement shown in these areas, the country was regressing. For this regression to be halted, it requires that both sides of the House bring about the change.

It may be important, in this 50th year as an independent nation, to revisit the Davies Report and use it as a catalyst to strengthen our parliamentary democracy and aspiration to become One People, One Nation, with One Destiny.

Voting on E-Day was free, GECOM fair and transparent delivered

Dear Editor,

THE Bar Association of Guyana was accredited by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) as a Local Observer of the 2020 General and Regional Elections which were held on March 2, 2020.

In accordance therewith, The Bar Association has been monitoring the elections process, and dispatched a team to observe the voting process on Election Day, particularly in Regions 4, 5 and 6.

While the results have not yet been declared, and, therefore, the process is

still ongoing, including our observation status, the preliminary reports received thus far from our Observation Team are that the voting process on Election Day was, on a balance, free, fair and transparent. They did not report witnessing any untoward events on Election Day which would affect the credibility of the result of the election. As with any process, there are areas for improvement, which will be addressed in the final report submitted to GECOM on the completion of the election process.

The members of our team wish to extend their kudos to the GECOM staff, who discharged their duties on Election

Day with professionalism and competence to ensure free and fair elections throughout Guyana. The mandated process of GECOM for the declaration of results is, by its very nature, time-consuming, and we therefore urge patience in permitting GECOM to complete their work in the delivery of accurate results.

We further remind citizens that GECOM is the only body with the lawful authority to declare the results of the General and Regional Elections held on March 2, 2020.

Regards, Guyana Bar Association

Dear Editor,

“IT was a grand day.”

So says the GECOM Chair. That I agree with her. Quiet, peaceful and calm, except for a few hiccups and skirmishes.

GECOM delivered, as it said it would. Kudos to Madam Chair, Commissioners, CEO and all staff for a job well done. We now await the results.

We are confident you will deliver on that, too.

Regards, Shamshun Mohamed

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 5, 2020

Region Two residents Electoral process Changes await elections results –– even as businesses return to normalcy was free and fair needed

–– results must be respected Dear Editor, THE Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), having observed the electoral process at some Polling Stations in parts of Regions 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10, has found it, despite some minor hiccups in a few instances, to be free, fair and transparent. Overall, voters were able to cast their ballots in an atmosphere of peace, while few instances which necessitated the intervention of law enforcement, were timely resolved.

The Commission commends the collective efforts of all involved, for ensuring that democracy was safeguarded and prevailed during the electoral process. This is heartening and vital to the promotion of harmony and good relations. As the country awaits the final results, the Commission remains mindful of prevailing anxieties. It fervently hopes that the results will be announced within the shortest possible time, and that it will be respected. The Commission is also mindful of racially-inciting exchanges on social media. Such posts are extremely harmful to the process of building harmony and tolerance, which are crucial during this sensitive period.

All are therefore urged to act in a responsible manner, and to be reminded of consequences that can be brought to bear through the Racial Hostility and The Representation of the People Acts. The rejection of hatred and intolerance takes the collective effort of all. The Commission encourages all, especially during this period, to do the best we can to ensure that peace and harmony prevail.

A more detailed report will be provided after the completion of the entire process.

Regards, Ethnic Relations Commission

Nothing untoward at Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs Dear Editor, THE Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs wishes to advise the public to be mindful of a post circulating on Social Media purporting that items were on Wednesday morning being removed from the Ministry’s Thomas and Quamina Streets Head Office.

These claims are nothing but mischievous, and aimed at causing disquiet at this time.

Four office chairs and sport gear were being transported to the Ministry’s Stores, located at the Indigenous Residence on Princess Street after being verified and entered into the asset register.

Please note that the work of the Ministry will continue.

Regards, Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs

at GECOM

Dear Editor, I write once again to highlight the poor criteria used for the selection of the Commissioner and their Chief Elections Officer who are totally out of their depth when dealing efficiently with these matters of national importance, and woefully inadequate in their preparation and administration of this exercise.

Can you imagine that because the Region 4 Returning officer has been hospitalised that the count stops, and there is no one in place to carry on immediately? Election results should have been tabulated and announced within 24 hours of the elections; any other results is just sheer incompetence and inability. How in God’s name does a judge suddenly assume the skillset which is required for this job? My understanding of “Fit and Proper “ differs sharply.

In the meanwhile, business and the entire country continue to suffer terribly: Stores are closed; people are scared to be out with, both parties declaring their imminent victory, although the results are already known to them, which is sheer and utter mischief. The escalation of tensions and chance of riots are clear and present.

Let us hope that after the elections, we can have someone with the logistical and administrative skills required to prepare and deliver us free , fair and efficient elections .

Regards, Roy Beepat

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REGION Two residents are eagerly anticipating announcement of the results of the recently concluded General and Regional Elections. Although they are aware that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) won the region with 18,752 votes, they are still living in uncertainty as to which party will lead the country.

The region had 39,979 eligible voters with only A business at Taymonth Manor that was opened on 26,492 casting their votes Wednesday or a 70 per cent turnout. supporters were seen cel- whatever decision it is, we A drive around the town ebrating. On the table they are all Guyanese, the public of Anna Regina revealed had the party flag claiming needs to know what’s gothat businesses were opened victory. Other bars in the ing on, how long will [we] and were carrying out their town of Anna Regina also be waiting?” Junior said. routine business activities; had persons celebrating the Another resident from schools were also opened. region’s victory.

Sparta village echoed JuBusinesses in the commerThis newspaper reached nior’s sentiments, stating cial centre in Anna Regina out to a few residents who that GECOM should dewere opened; however, priexpressed their satisfaction clare the results and let vate companies closed their with the regional results. Guyanese continue to live doors one hour before their Maybel Mahadeo related in peace and harmony. usual time. that she is happy that the “The world is watching Vendors flocked the PPP/C won the region be- us, we need to be strong as Anna Regina, Charity and cause she voted for them a nation, but GECOM needs Suddie markets as usuand she has confidence that to release the results so we al and drivers were seen they can lead Guyana. can continue with our life,” flocking the car parks soAnother resident from Rosie Samlall said. liciting passengers. The Queenstown, Andre Junior, Commander of ‘G’ atmosphere in the region said he believes GECOM Division, Crystal Robinremained calm days after should announce the results son, said the police are the elections. soonest since the entire continuing to monitor the In Queenstown, at a Guyana is in suspense. region and security has popular pub, many PPP/C “I am willing to accept been strengthened.

71-year-old accused of assault granted bail

MOTHER of murder convict (Gavin Graham), 71-year-old, Clavis Graham, of Green Valley, Wismar, on Wednesday, March 04, 2020, appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, on an assault charge.

The charge alleged that, on Friday, February 28, 2020, at the Supreme Court, Graham unlawfully assaulted Tiffani Lyken.

Graham denied the charge.

The prosecutor objected to the defendant being granted bail based on the fact that the location at which the offence occurred was downstairs in the Supreme Court and the seriousness of the offence committed was great.

Graham, in her defence, tried to explain to the court, the occurrences on the day in question, Friday, February 28. Graham mentioned that after the sentence of her son was passed, she did not proceed to go downstairs. However, while she remained upstairs, she noticed the bottle which her son had, on the ground, being empty. She went ahead to pick up the bottle with the intention of throwing it away but, was going to throw it to her nephew. Graham then told the court as she was walking on the pavement with the bottle in her hand, the

state prosecutor, Tiffani Lyken, approached her from a car saying “That’s why he had to go court! That’s why he gon go to jail! So you want to throw the bottle at me? Throw it! Throw it!” Graham expressed to the court that she was surprised at the prosecutor’s behavior. She further mentioned that a team of police approached and told her that she was committing an assault offence.

Thus, they arrested her. While at the police station, she mentioned that they questioned the urine in the bottle. Graham stated that she didn’t smell urine, thus doubting the possibility of the substance to be urine. She mentioned that she then stated to herself “She (Tiffani Lyken) want kill two birds with one stone.”

After hearing Graham’s explanation, Magistrate McGusty told the defendant that her story was in fact unbelievable, due to the fact that she was once a state council and has knowledge that a state council never approaches a relative of the accused.

Magistrate McGusty granted Graham $10,000 bail under the condition that she reports to the officer-in-charge at the Wismar Police Station on the second and the fourth Fridays of each month.

The matter was transferred to Court 8 and 9.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 5, 2020

PPP/C retains control in Region Two –– won 13 districts out of 14 with 18,752 votes

By Indrawattie Natram

SUPPORTERS of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) in Region Two have started to celebrate the party’s victory in the region with countless bottom house parties.

Celebrations started on Tuesday evening after results were declared by Anna Regina Returning Officer, Roxanne Smith.

In her declaration, she mentioned that 39,979 persons were eligible to vote at 135 polling stations. A total of 26,492 valid votes were cast which represent at 70 per cent turnout in the region. Singling out the results, Smith said the PPP/C gained 18,752 votes while APNU/AFC received 7,293 votes. The other parties, Change Guyana got 217, while the LJP obtained 135 and the URP 95.

Returning Officer, Region Two, Roxanne Smith, making the declaration

The Registration Office in Region Two

A summary of the General Elections, Region Two

A summary of the regional elections

Smith said the process was smooth and there were no major hiccups at the polling stations. Meanwhile, detailed results regionally revealed that the PPP/C won 13 of the districts which included communities such Jacklow, Dredge Creek, Hackney, Manawarin, Phoenix Park to Rivermouth, Trybest-Somerset and Berks, Evergreen-Paradise, Walton Hall, Limam Henrietta, Anna Regina, Henrietta Housing Scheme, Cotton Field, Lima Sands, Bush Lot, Three Friends, Mainstay Mission, Tapakuma Mission, Aberdeen Zorg En Vlygt, Capoey Mission, Annandale, Jo-

‘Spoil Child’ girlfriend died of gunshot injuries to chest A POST mortem examination that was conducted on 27-yearold Colissa Hunte, the girlfriend of former cop, Teon Allen, shows that she died of gunshot injuries to the chest.

The autopsy was conducted by the Government Pathologist, Nehaul Singh, at the Georgetown Hospital Mortuary. The doctor also extracted one metal object which appeared to be a warhead from the chest of the deceased. Singh also related that after the bullet entered body from the right arm into to the chest, it damaged the arteries.

Meanwhile, Hunte’s boyfriend, Teon Allen, remains in police custody at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. Commander of Region 10, Hugh Winter, said that Allen underwent surgery on Wednesday to remove a bullet from his shoulder.

When asked whether the bullet was the same as the one he received a few weeks ago during a shooting altercation on the East Bank with police offi-

27-year-old Colissa Hunte cers, Winter answered in the negative and said it was another bullet, since that one was taken out.

It was initially believed Allen was rushed to the hospital on the day his girlfriend was shot, with an old gunshot wound, hence the police suspected fowl play and had him as a suspect in her shooting. He has been under police

guard since. Winter said that no new evidence of a third party or parties being involved in the shooting was brought in as the investigation continues. Based on the evidence at the scene, Winter said Allen is still being treated as a suspect and the allegation will be put to him when he is discharged. He will be formerly placed in custody.

Allen has been involved in a gang war with a Cayenne-based gang in Linden and he told Hunte’s relatives and the police that they were attacked by unknown gun men. He later called Hunte’s father and informed him of the shooting and that he should come and take his daughter to the hospital.

Hunte’s father said when he got to the house, his daughter was slumped up in the kitchen bleeding.

She was rushed to the LHC, where she later succumbed. Allen then visited the hospital after and was treated for the gunshot wound before he was transferred to GPHC. Investigation into the matter is ongoing.

hanna Ceclia, Maria Lodge, Riverstown, Pomona Makeshift, Mashabo and Aurora Supenaam, Bethany Mission and Supenaam Creek.

The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) won the Martindale District which included villages such as Kitty and Akawini.

A total of 11 political parties contested Monday’s elections with approximately 600,000 electors on the Official List of Electors (OLE) qualified to cast their ballots. Polls throughout the country closed at 18:00 hours.

Vendor accused of drug trafficking granted bail A 25-year-old vendor, Trevor Edwards, of Belair Street, Albouystown, on Wednesday, March 04, 2020, was granted $30,000 bail by Magistrate Faith McGusty, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

The charge alleged that, on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, at Belair Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, Edwards had, in his possession, 30grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

Edwards denied the charge when it was read to him.

Edwards, in an effort to defend himself, stated, “They didn’t find anything on me.”

According to reports, on the day in question, March 3, 2020, at about 06:50 hours, the defendant was seen, by ranks on patrol, standing in a suspicious manner on Belair Street. A search was then carried out on his person and the drug was found in his pants pocket. He was then told of the offence committed and was arrested and subsequently charged.

Magistrate McGusty, after hearing the case, granted $30,000 bail to Edwards, under the condition that he reports every Friday, at 09:00 hours, to the subordinate officer-in-charge at the Ruimveldt Police Station until condition is changed or matter is completed.

This matter was adjourned until Wednesday, April 1, 2020.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 5, 2020

Elections took place in deeply-polarised environment

…EU observers MONDAY’S General and Regional Elections took place in a deeply-polarised environment, the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) Chief, Urmas Paet, said while noting that though the election was well managed by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), there were some inconsistencies at the level of polling stations. “[The] voting process was well managed and the electors were able to exercise their vote freely,” Paet told journalists during a press conference at the Guyana Marriott on Wednesday. In presenting the EU EOM preliminary report on the elections, he noted that while the process was well managed, there were some procedural safeguards that were not consistently applied.

In justifying the EU EOM’s position, Paet pointed out that safeguards put in place by the Elections Commission to prevent double voting by members of the Disciplinary Services, who had voted on February 21, were not consistently applied during the March 2 Elections. It was contended that the names of voters were not systematically checked to confirm if Joint Services ranks had already voted on February 21.

The EU EOM, however, expressed satisfaction with the tabulation of the votes at the polling station but noted rooms for improvement. While scrutineers from the smaller political parties were few in numbers, the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) and the Peo-

full list of electors is published, key regulatory instruments and critical electoral data, notably information pertaining to the revision of the list, are not publicly available,” Paet reported, while explaining that there were often times no systematic publication of decisions made at the level of the seven-member commission. “GECOM’s lack of official communication with the media results in its messaging being essentially left to individual commissioners providing their own, often conflicting accounts of internal deliberations and decisions,” he said while adding that public confidence in the electoral administration is often weakened by the absence of regular, structured engagement with key electoral stakeholders.

Like the Organisation of American States, Electoral Observation Mission (OAS EOM), the EU Mission high-

lighted the challenges faced as a result of the composiple’s Progressive Party/Civic tion of the (PPP/C) had agents spread elections across the country observing commisthe electoral process. sion.

“Counting was conductT h e ed in a transparent manner, Commonwealth combut reconciliation procedures Observer Group mission were not always followed. In Chief retd consists the absence of clear, written Hon. Owen of three instructions, the mission noted Arthur, former meminconsistencies in the results Prime Minister b e r s transmission and tabulation of Barbados nominated process,” Paet, a Member of by the Presthe European Parliament, exident, three plained. It was observed that by the leader of a large percentage of the enthe opposition and velopes containing Statements poa chairperson agreeof Polls were not properly larisaable to both. sealed, and in some cases were tion results “Introduced to assuage opened by Deputy Returning discontent ahead of the 1992 in the chairperson having to act Officers (DROs) before they elections, this formula has led as tiebreaker on most decisions. were submitted to the Returnto strong partisanship, affecting Furthermore, the composition ing Officers.

GECOM’s ability to function of the commission reflects the The Mission’s Chief Obas a collegiate body. Excessive political spectrum of 1992, server was also leaving out keen on noting smaller parthat while the ties,” the EU election was effiChief Observciently managed, er reasoned. limited inclusiveHours latness, transparency er, the Comand engagement monwealth with electoral Observer stakeholders unGroup led dermined con by Rt Hon. fidence in the Owen Arthur, Guyana Elections former Prime Commission.

Minister of There was limited Barbados, access to critical made similar decisions made by observations GECOM, in addiduring a press tion to little or no conference at access to essential Cara Lodge, electoral data in Georgetown. the lead up to the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) Chief, Urmas Paet, March 2 Gener- addressing the press in the presence of (L-R) Press Observer, Evan Eberle; Deputy L i k e t h e OAS, the al and Regional Chief Observers, Alexander Matus and Legal Analyst, Dorota Ryza CommonElections.

(Delano Williams’ Photos ) wealth made “Whereas the

a case for constitutional and legislative reform that would result in a commission that would not be divided along party lines.

“A key issue repeatedly raised in our interactions was the urgent need for constitutional and electoral reform to address what stakeholders view as a complex and multi-faceted polarisation of the nation. These divisions are reflected in the composition, structure and operations of GECOM itself,” Commonwealth Chief Observer told journalists. He noted that is important for the electoral system to be fully inclusive of different stakeholders and minority groups.

The Commonwealth, European Union and OAS Observation Missions all shed light on the bloated National Register of Registrants Data Base and the Official List of Electors (OLE), with the hope that legislative reforms would lead to a new register and periodic house-tohouse registrations. The OLE used in the just-concluded elections consists of 660,998 electors, which is almost the size of the country’s population.

Arthur, while noting that the decision by GECOM to create a new register had hit a stumbling block in 2019, underscored the need for comprehensive reform of the voter registration system, inclusive of legislative reform.

The International Observers have also bemoaned the fact that an election petition filed in the High Court following the 2015 General and Regional Elections is still pending.

ASL helicopter lands at Ruimzeight foreshore

…Brazilian detained POLICE on the West Coast of Demerara have detained a Brazilian, who disembarked an Air Services Limited (ASL) helicopter which landed at the Ruimzeight Foreshore on Wednesday morning.

In a video seen by this publication, the helicopter, which bears registration 8R-GJS, can be seen taking-off from the seawall area. The craft landed around 11:30hrs close to the crematorium. The man was picked-up by a car but alert residents followed the vehicle while notifying the police. The men were taken to the Vreed-en-Hoop police station.

They were detained and ranks are investigating the incident. Reports are that the pilot informed the authorities that the landing was to facilitate the fixing of a door. The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is aware of the incident.

Speculations by persons at the scene ranged from the individual being a foreign national illegally entering the country, to the possibility that the

The man who was detained after the helicopter landed at the Ruimzeight foreshore

situation involved the transporting of drugs. “A helicopter drop he off and when people see they call we so we block off the road here,” someone on the scene explained as the situation unfolded.

“What helicopter got to land here fa? Them get permission to land here?”

The helicopter as it departed from the scene

questioned a driver at the scene who was using his vehicle to block the car the individual was an occupant in.

The police later arrived on the scene and drove away with the individual. Regional Commander, Assistant Commissioner, Simon McBean, has since confirmed to the Guyana Chronicle, that the individual was apprehended by the police in West

Demerara but has since been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) as investigations continue.

McBean said no drugs were found on the person, neither was it yet confirmed whether or not the individual is a Guyanese or a foreigner. However he did confirm that the individual was not fluent in English.

“A gentleman was handed over to the police by public-spirited citizens who indicated that he disembarked a helicopter at the Ruimzeight area.

His English was not that clear but he is being int erviewed by CID headquarters. We would have received no such information as relates to drugs,” McBean explained.

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Region 4 RO rushed to GPHC after being unwell

-has since been discharged

AMIDST the tabulation of results for the 2020 General and Regional Elections, Returning Officer (RO) for Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Clairmont Mingo fell ill and was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

The verification of statement of polls (SOPs) was ongoing on Wednesday, when Mingo fell ill around 10:00 hours and was rushed to GPHC, where he received medical attention. Sections of the media reported that the RO was seen vomiting at the office which is situated at High and Hadfield Streets.

Senior Officials of GPHC had confirmed that Mingo was hospitalised, and his vitals were being monitored, but said the RO was not in a serious condition. GECOM Commissioner, Sase Gunraj, has since confirmed that Mingo has been discharged from the hospital and he is in good health.

Subsequent to Mingo falling ill, GECOM Commissioner, Vincent Alexander had told the Guyana Chronicle that a new RO was expected to be sworn in almost immediately, but reports had surfaced that the process was continued by clerks. It was, however, reported that the process was taken over by Deputy Returning Officers (DROs), who were tasked with continuing the process until it was complete. Mingo had suspended verification of the ballots for Region Four and was due to restart at 09:00 hours on Wednesday, but the process was delayed.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 5, 2020

Guyana celebrates World Consumer Rights Day

GUYANA will join with the rest of the world in celebrating World Consumer Rights Day on March 15, 2020.

This year’s theme ‘The Sustainable Consumer’ will focus on the need for sustainable consumption globally, as well as highlight the important role that consumers play in ensuring their rights are being protected.

Education Officer attached to the Consumer Affairs Department of the Ministry of Business, Lucreatia Hubbard, in an interview, outlined some tips to consumers, so that they can become sustainable consumers. These included -- buying more organic fruits and vegetables, the use of more recycled bags from purchases at the Supermarket, the reduction of the use of plastic and the making of one’s beauty products using coconut oil, thus reducing the use of chemicals found in the

beauty products that are available for sale at beauty parlours and cosmetic stores in the country.

The use of natural energy is also encouraged, since less fossil gas is released in the air, according to Hubbard.

According to the Education Officer, there are a number of activities planned to mark this year’s celebrations; these include A Student Painting Competition which began on February 1, 2020 and will conclude on March 10, 2020.

Hubbard added that the Ministry plans to hold an appreciation ceremony to recognize colleagues who had played a major role in advocating the rights of consumers across the country.

Additionally, the Ministry is embarking on a sensitisation drive to arm consumers with the knowledge of their rights as consumers and business people. To this

end, the Ministry will be partnering with the Guyana National Bureau of Standards and other stakeholders to ensure that the message is largely disseminated through Radio and Television programmes, school sensitisation programmes and participation in various expositions such as Berbice Expo.

The Department of Consumer Affairs, within the Ministry of Business, stands in full support of the protection of the planet and provides fair social conditions for current and future generations.

“The aim of sustainable consumption is to increase efficiency and fair trade while helping to alleviate poverty, thus allowing everyone to enjoy a good quality of life and able to access, food, water, energy and medicine”, according to a statement from the Consumers International Website.

250 Minibus Drivers and Conductors to graduate from a Training Exercise SOME250 Minibus Drivers and Conductors will, on Sunday March 15, 2020, at a simple ceremony at the Herdmanston Lodge, graduate from a training exercise, which was organised by the United Minibus Union in collaboration with the Ministry of Business.

The Training Exercise which commenced in July 2019 was held in an effort to stamp out the lawlessness and reduce the carnage on the country’s roadways.

In an interview with this publication, Director of Consumer Affairs, Muriel Tinnis, made the point that drivers and conductors were trained to facilitate their operating at a level that would contribute positively to Guyana’s Tourism Industry.

A Code of conduct for minibus operators in Guyana was ‘launched’ in April 2019 and it was recognized that training was an important element in the improved performance of operators. Thus, drivers from various walks of life were trained in the areas of Tyre Safety, Fire Safety, Insurance and Hospitality.

The general purpose of the code of conduct is to improve the quality, safety and efficiency of public transportation in Guyana, and to make the public transport system accessible to all commuters on a non-discriminatory basis.

The training was, and will be, conducted during the off-peak period for minibus

operation and particularly during the school-vacation periods.

The Ministry is working with the Police to ensure the non-renewal of licences of drivers who did not obtain training certificates President of the UMU, Eon Andrews, said that the Union will be initiating several programmes with a view to ensuring that public transportation in Guyana is brought up to international standard. He explained that, according to Guyana’s trajectory, the country can expect to be propelled in a new order of operations and thus the public transportation sector must be able to keep up.

Nation awaits ...

From page 3

remaining statements for the region.

There are about 192 SOPs in EBD and about 170 in the ECD while the verification process for North and South Georgetown has been completed. Once this is completed, there will be a public declaration for the region.

The law prescribes that once there is a declaration, any requested recounts can be done within noon of the following day.

SPREADSHEET Prior to the official report on the matter, Lowenfield, and several party members, spoke to the media giving their account of the situation.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams said that while the opposition has accused the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) of being behind the discrepancies, it was a GECOM staff which presented a new spreadsheet which didn’t sit well with the party agents.

“The spread sheet was something that was inherited from their time. They used to verify with spreadsheets, now they don’t want spreadsheets they want to use Statements of Polls. We have no objection, let’s just get it over with,” he said. “It’s GECOM’s document.

GECOM can, under the law, regulate its own procedure so GECOM could decide it wants to use a spreadsheet but GECOM has agreed to use the State-

Members of the public outside the tabulation and media centre of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) located at the Ashmins building, downtown Georgetown (Delano Williams photos)

ments of Poll.”

Speaking on behalf of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Opposition General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, said that all parties had agreed on a way forward. “I’m satisfied with the steps that they have taken now,” he said. He was pleased that the commission agreed to put up a screen for the visible display of the SOPs tabulated and when sub-districts are finished, the results will be printed and given to all political parties for reconciliation.

Meanwhile, The Carter Center’s Chairperson of the Board of Trustees and grandson of former US President Jimmy Carter, Jason Carter, said that

the agreement made between GECOM and involved stakeholders regarding the tabulation of SOPs should see resolution soon.

“You need to be patient and you need to make sure that the count is accurate and more so to make sure that it’s quick. So, they’re in there with maximum transparency trying to ensure that everybody gets to take a look at each of the Statements of Polls to determine precisely what the actual count was,” he said. “It may take some time but we call on everyone to be patient and peaceful as we await the results.”

US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, and British High Com-

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams

missioner to Guyana, Gregg Quinn, also notified the media that the situation was resolved and the re-tabulation process would be restarted. The crowd of persons opposite the centre had now increased and members of the public were voicing their concerns in relation to the tabulation of the region’s votes.

Asked what words of advice he would leave to the anxious public, Lowenfield said: “They should remain calm. At the moment, what the commission is striving to ensure --- while we understand the anxiety on the part of the citizenship --- we do not want to ensure transparency is lost in the entire process. So, at the time the whole posture is to ensure that there is transparency in the process and plead with citizens to remain calm so that we have the correct

The Carter Center’s Chairperson of the Board of Trustees and grandson of former US President Jimmy Carter, Jason Carter

results that will be the satisfaction of, I dare say, to all.”

However, although these reports seemed positive, at around 20:00hrs that same night, the agreement fell apart.

There are disagreements surrounding a decision to stop the verification process for the night although it was previously agreed that stakeholders would work through the night. Region Four, which holds the country’s largest amount of voters, is the only outstanding Region from which declarations have not been made. The Region holds 879 polling stations and 285,618 electors.

It could be the deciding factor for which party wins the elections.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 5, 2020

Stranger transforms the life of a poor woman

By Lisa Hamilton

AMAZING things happen when people put aside their differences and work towards a collective good.

This is something Jenneta Brandon is confident of, having watched the transformation of a woman’s once destitute condition, to a better way of life.

It all began last year when Brandon met 54-year old Seeta Singh at the Parika/ Mora Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), where the woman and her 11-yearold grandson were visiting to collect her public assistance.

Singh had unfortunately come on the wrong day, and in conversation with Brandon, opened up about her living condition and the current issue that, without the public assistance, she now had no

Jenneta Brandon don went over to the dilapidated shack in which, to her surprise, she saw the woman she met months ago at the NDC. Singh’s disability is that one of her foot is longer than the other due to polio. A part from that, a quick look into

54-year-old Sita Singh at the dilapidated shack she once lived in money to return home.

Not knowing whether to believe the woman fully, Brandon gave Singh something to eat for the two and called and paid for a taxi for them to return home.

On February 13, 2020, while paying a visit to the Sea Dam, Parika – the area Singh grew up in – Brandon coincidently came into contact with the woman again.

She was chatting with an old friend who she calls ‘Aunty Anita’, when she was made aware that there was very poor woman living in an unbelievable condition just next door on the river bank.

UNBELIEVABLE CONDITIONS Being inquisitive, Bran-

her ‘home’ would render the conclusion that she was barely surviving.

There was one tattered couch in the shack, an old mattress, a make-shift hammock, a photo of Hindu goddess of knowledge, Saraswati; a few rusted pots and clothing items hung on the wooden frame of the shack.

Brandon later found out that when the high tide came, Singh would have no option but to sleep in the bed just the same.

The woman’s husband had passed away, one of her five children also passed away and a daughter of hers is mentally ill and can often be seen roaming the streets of Parika. The situation was dire and Brandon had not seen anything like it before.

Two of the woman’s children visited from time to time but they are also challenged with poverty. One of her sons, a 22-year-old, does dayto-day work and supports his mother when he can.

Eventually receiving the backstory, Brandon was told that while the woman’s son was alive, he had started the process of building a home for his family. However, when he died, those who took care of his funeral arrangements wanted payment and the only thing she could offer was the uncompleted house.

As if this was not enough, at some point prior, Singh had a stroke and fell and injured herself.

I MUST HELP Overwhelmed with the situation, Brandon promised Singh that she would return to help somehow but one way or the other.

That night when she went to bed, she could not shake the matter from her mind.

“I went home and I just couldn’t sleep. I didn’t expect to see what I saw,” she told the newspaper. “I knew I had to do something for her, I prayed about it.”

She revisited Singh the next day having devised a plan to appeal for the support of others who would be willing to assist. She took a photo of the woman and the shack she called home and shared it on her Facebook page, referring to Singh as a beautiful woman in the community in grave need of help.

Soon after support began to pour in and while there were more promises than fulfillments, many persons did indeed pool their resources to help Singh. One company which assisted largely was Comfort Sleep.

Three other youth groups also pitched in.

TOTAL TRANSFORMATION Today, Singh has a new house, a new bed and bedroom, a living room area with sofas and kitchen area with a sink, cupboards, kitchen utensils and groceries – a place she can truly called home.

The two-bedroom house is also now located a short distance from the water side.

In a number of videos posted on Brandon’s timeline along the way, one could see the number persons involved in the construction of the home.

When Singh was finally carried into the house on February 29, 2020, she was

The new house while under construction moved to tears, perhaps simply taking in the reality that strangers had come to her rescue and now she would be alright. She referred to the building as her “dream house”.

“It’s a wonderful feeling to know that despite all that’s going on right now with the politics and what not, these people stepped up and contributed. There are some who couldn’t have contributed, they prayed. They’re all from different ethnic groups; it was really, really nice,” Brandon said.

Aunty Anita, who lives next door, was also given some food items to support Singh along the way.

I WANT TO DO MORE Brandon is now asking the public to pool their

efforts so that Singh can be presented with a wheel chair for better movement in her home as well as pampers.

She now has a barrel where she stores items that are donated and also wants to take Singh to the doctor soon for a check-up.

Brandon has the support of her husband and mother and does these acts because she too grew up poor and knows what it is like to be without.

“We grew up very poor,” she said. “My mommy used to work with people doing domestic work. We grew up really poor in a little house with one bedroom. I know what it means to be hungry and to wear other people’s clothing. I’ve been there and so I’m not rich, but the little

that I have, once I can do something for you, I’m going to go all out.”

Brandon, a Seventh-Day-Adventist, has spent many Sabbaths assisting others as she believes that prayers are essential but action too is need.

One day, she hopes to open her own orphanage which would be a continuation of the random acts of kindness and assistance she does in her community with her own earnings.

She said, “It’s my dream to have my own orphanage and to share things. I don’t want to be rich. I just want to have enough to share.”

Those who wish to donate to the cause can contact Janetta Brandon at +592 680 4175.

Some of those who supported the effort in the completed house

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 5, 2020

UN women, CDB and CARICOM launch national surveys on gender-based violence APPROACHING this year’s International Women’s Day, UN Women, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and CARICOM have joined forces to better understand how women experience intimate-partner violence with a view to reducing and eliminating this scourge in the Caribbean. The three organisations today launched national prevalence surveys on gender-based violence for five Caribbean countries in Bridgetown, Barbados.

“Without reliable and relevant data, it is not possible to adequately treat, reduce and prevent violence against women and girls,” said UN Women Multi-Country Office Caribbean Representative Alison McLean.

Following surveys to measure the prevalence of gender-based violence, specifically intimate-partner violence in five Caribbean countries, the picture is disturbingly clear: women aged 1564 have experienced at least one form of violence ranging

(Second left) Alison McLean, Representative, UN Women Multi Country Office – Caribbean presents Ambassador Gail Mathurin, Director-General of the CARICOM Secretariat’s Office of Trade Negotiations (second right) with a copy of the Compendium Knowledge Product “Caribbean Experiences with Collecting Data on Violence against Women and Girls.” Looking on are Monica La Bennett, Vice-president (Operations), Caribbean Development Bank (left) and Didier Trebucq, Resident Coordinator, UNDP, Barbados and the OECS.

from 39% to as high as 55%; 28% to 38% of women have experienced physical or sexual violence from a partner in their lifetime; Physical

violence ranges from 25% to 35%.

Emotional violence, which is usually the most commonly reported form of

violence, ranged from 29% to 40% of the women surveyed.

It also needs to be said that the lack of physical scars makes no form of violence a

lesser concern; all forms of violence cause grave harm.

With support from the CDB, the Inter-American Development Bank, USAID and CARICOM, UN Women has invested significantly in supporting Caribbean countries in strengthening capacities to fill the data gaps on violence against women and girls, using the model. As a result, the initial goal of piloting the survey in two countries surveyed has been exceeded, surveying five countries in total – Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. “Support for efforts to achieve gender equality, including ending gender-based violence, is a key priority for the Caribbean Development Bank.

Without gender equality, we cannot achieve our mandate to reduce extreme poverty in the Caribbean,” said CDB Vice-President (Operations), Monica La Bennett.

Former Chief-of-Staff finally arraigned, granted $500,000 bail WITH his attorney Nigel Hughes behind him, former army Chief of Staff Rear Admiral Gary Best was on Wednesday hauled before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court for the fatal accident which claimed the life of former national cyclist Jude Bentley.

Best, 61, first appeared before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty and was not required to plead to the charge which read that on February 8, 2020, at Clive Lloyd Drive, Greater Georgetown, he drove motor car PRR 8182 in a dangerous manner which resulted in Bentley’s death.

He was represented by prominent Attorneys-at law Nigel Hughes and James Bond.

Hughes told the court his client is of unimpeachable character, since he served as the Chief of Staff of the GDF and that he was also the recipient of the Medal of Service. Further, Hughes stated that Best would not pose a flight risk.

The prosecutor however objected to bail because of the nature and gravity of the charge. He further told the court that Best was two times above the legal alcohol limit at the time of the accident.

Former army Chief of Staff Rear Admiral Gary Best

Former national cyclist Jude Bentley

Gary Best and his attorney Nigel Hughes

Best was released on $500,000 bail on the condi-

tion that he lodge his passport and report to traffic Head-

quarters, Eve Leary, once per month.

The former chief-of-staff later appeared before Magistrate Clive Nurse, to answer to the charge of driving under the influence.

Particulars of the charge allege that Best had the breath alcohol level of .85 microgrammes. He plead not guilty to the charge and was released on self-bail.

The former army leader will make his next court appearance on March 17, 2020.

Jude Bentley, 41, a businessman and former national cyclist, was killed after he was struck down on the Rupert Craig Highway in the vicinity of the Russian Embassy at approximately 05:00hrs on Saturday morning by a black land cruiser.

Reports indicated that Bentley and Best were heading east along the road. Best reportedly tried to avoid hitting Bentley and struck a utility pole, but still managed to hit the cyclist and dragged him several feet away from the point of impact.

Best was arrested at the scene and two breathalyzer tests were administered.

Both tests revealed that Best was way above the legally prescribed alcohol limit.

Police Sergeants accused of falsification of accounts granted bail 35-year-old Jermaine Fraser, of Westminster, West Bank Demerara and 29-yearold Michael Corbin, of Parfait, who are both police Sergeants, were each granted $250,000 bail by Magistrate Faith McGusty on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on a falsification of account charge.

The charge alleged that, Michael Corbin and Jermaine Fraser, on April 4, 2019, at Eve Leary, each being employed in the capacity of a clerk or servant by the Guyana Police Force Finance Office, willfully, and with intent to defraud, made a false entry in the accounts of their employer. That is to say, falsely entered the sum of $12,565,000 in the Integrated Financial Management and Information System without the existence of payment vouchers.

After the charge was read, they both were allowed to make a plea.

Both Fraser and Corbin pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The attorney who represented Fraser requested reasonable bail, because, in spite of the seriousness of the charge, it was his first offence. The attorney also indicated that Corbin was in the same circumstance.

Magistrate McGusty, after hearing the case, granted both Fraser and Corbin bail of $250,000 each.

The matter was adjourned until Wednesday, March 25, 2020.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 5, 2020

Carter Center notes generally smooth elections

Members of The Carter Center at the Pegasus Hotel on Wednesday during a media briefing. Seated from left are: Senior Electoral Advisor to the Center, Carlos Valenzuela; co-chairs of the Mission, Former Prime Minister of Senegal, Madame Aminata Toure and Attorney-at-Law, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees and grandson of former US President Carter, Jason Carter; and Associate Director of the Carter Center Democracy Program, Brett Lacy (Adrian Narine photo)

IN its preliminary observation of Guyana’s 2020 General and Regional Elections, The Carter Center said that while the electoral process is generally progressing smoothly, there were some noteworthy hiccups along the way.

The Center held a press conference on Wednesday at the Pegasus Hotel to update the media on the post and current elections observation of its 41-member team. Speaking at the press conference were co-chairs of the Mission, Attorney-at-Law, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees and grandson of former US President Carter, Jason Carter, and Former Prime Minister of Senegal, Madame Aminata Toure.

Carter stated that voting day-operations were “well-managed”, GECOM staff at polling places were well trained and exhibited a “remarkable amount of professionalism”.

MINOR HICCUPS While, in general the process went smoothly, the Center noted that there were some reported issues across the country in the post and current electoral process which were noted cause for concern. Though it was stated that GECOM did its best to produce an Official List of Electors (OLE) that was comprehensive, reliable and accurate, Cater noted some discrepancies.

“The number of registered voters seem disproportionate to Guyana’s estimated population. The Carter Center recommends that before the next election, the government reassess and overhaul both the process and the technology used to create and manage the voter registration database,”

Carter stated.

Regarding preparations for E-Day, Carter noted that the issue regarding the reduction of private residences being used as polling places only just a few days before the elections.

The Center stood by its 2015 recommendations whereby it suggested that GECOM takes special effort to “ensure that citizens can cast their ballots in a neutral environment” but also acknowledged that private residences may not always be avoidable.

On the matter of the campaign environment, the Center noted that parties and candidates were able to freely exercise their fundamental rights of freedom of expression, association and assembly.

However, there were observed or reported cases --the Center having attended 31 rallies --- of low-level harassment, intimidation and the destruction of party paraphernalia. The Center also noted the use of alleged inflammatory language.

It noted that Guyana’s absence of campaign-finance law allows for great inequalities between political parties, and throughout the campaign there were allegations of the misuse of State resources.

The Center criticized the Commission for its late release of its Code of Conduct for political parties.

Though it did not undertake systematic monitoring of the media, it also pointed out that “the coverage of the election in print and online media frequently seemed partisan.”

It stated that although the GECOM Chair is a woman, women are underrepresented on the Commission. The Center noted, too, that elections results may indicate

and increase participation in indigenous areas but Guyana still has a way to go to ensure their full inclusivity.

The media was informed that despite some progress to facilitate voting for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), there were no special measures in the 2020 elections.

On E-Day, it was observed that there was campaigning and campaign materials within 200 yards of polling stations which violates the law.

Assessing the closing period, the Center stated that its observers noted the process was positive in 93 per cent of 15 stations observed. However, GECOM staff were less confident in the application of counting procedures.

NOTABLE POSITIVES The preliminary report of the Center was not all bad.

It was highlighted that the advance voting of the disciplined services went smoothly as well as the intermixing necessary on Elections Day. The Carter Center observed that the vast majority of polling-day staff, including Presiding Officers (POs), were women. Women made up 78 per cent of POs and 85 per cent of the staff in polling stations.

The training of polling-day staff post elections was assessed as positive while police security at polling stations was efficient. The Center noted the effective checking for ink on fingers and the inking of fingers.

Carter commended the presence of party scrutineers at all polling stations noting that it forms “a good bedrock of transparency”. He encouraged the continuation of the same. In polling stations observed by the Center, it was highlighted that 84 per cent

of APNU +AFC scrutineers and 68 per cent of PPP/C scrutineers were women. The performance of political party scrutineers was assessed as 95 per cent of polling stations observed.

OUR ADVICE The Carter Center did not conclude its preliminary briefing without leaving a few words of advice to the influencers of Guyana’s electoral system. The observer body recommended that political leaders commit to reform the “winner-takes-all” elections system currently in use through constitutional reform well before the next general election.

While various voter-information activities were conducted by GECOM close to the election time in partnership with national and international organisations, it pointed out that there is need for “more robust voter education efforts”.

The Center also recommended clearer constitutional provision for the representa-

tion of women in government as “there are no gender quotas or other special temporary measures in place”. When it comes to the rights of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) community, the Center advised that discriminatory legislation against the community be repealed. The fact that no civil society organisation conducted nationwide non-partisan observation of the elections was pinpointed as a step in the wrong direction by the Center.

ACT RESPONSIBLY The Carter Center has also called on key stakeholders involved to act responsibly and urged political parties to act in accordance with the GECOM Code of Conduct recently signed. Toure discouraged political parties from declaring their own results and victory, stating that the process may take some time but: “Only GECOM has the authority to declare results.”

While many Guyanese are awaiting the declaration of re-

sults, Toure said that political parties and the public must understand that perfection in the process is impossible.

“There is no perfect electoral process or system,” Toure reminded.

“The system is always improvable. But, of course there is always a give and take between having quick results or making sure that the process is completed transparent and people accept the results.”

Meanwhile, Carter reminded that everyone has the right to challenge the elections results and this should not be considered as a weakness of the electoral system but a sign of its resilience. He said that should there be no need for such, he is pleased that based upon the Code of Conduct signed by contesting parties, they have agreed to abide by the results declared by GECOM

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 5, 2020

GMC commissions new agro-processing facility

-launches Hana brand plantain chips SATURDAY, February 29th, 2020, marked another milestone for the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) with the commissioning of its agro-processing facility at Parika, on the East Bank Essequibo; and the simultaneous launch of the corporation’s Hana brand Plantain Chips.

The corporation, in a release, said the new agro-processing facility is an extension of a pre-existing facil-

Region.

"At Guyana Marketing Corporation, one of our roles is to promote sustained market linkages between buyers and sellers. As such, this was seen as an opportunity to truly practice what we preach by engaging plantain farmers to enter a formalized agreement to have a consistent supply of plantains," Mrs. Sealey-Adams further explained.

The Parika Agro-processing facility will benefit

Eventually, we will be conducting experiments on other types of chips," she added, as she expressed thanks to those who played a critical role in the launch of the facility and the development of the Hana Plantain Chips.

Also at the commissioning of the facility and the launch of Hana was GMC's Board Director, Mr. David Fernandes, who expounded further on the Hana brand.

Mr. David Fernandes said

'Hana' means river in the Guyanese Warrau language and was selected last year since 2019 was designated the International Year of Indigenous Languages.

The release said that with

the Parika Agro-processing facility, Hon. Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Noel Holder stated that the next step "... is to move to processing, via this Agro-Processing Facility that will focus on the produc-

the government has invested in this facility to be a pilot for the snack food industry."

Minister Holder added that the facility will have a close private sector part-

A section of the gathering at the Commissioning of the agro-processing facility and the launch of Hana

Minister Noel Holder, Mrs Ida Sealey-Adams, and other heads of agencies, Board Members and GMC's Mechanical Engineer during a tour of the Parika Agro-processing Facility.

ity and a manifestation of GMC’s determination to continually upgrade local facilities for the enhancement of agro-processing in Guyana. It said the project cost approximately $50 million; in addition to the equipment that was received as gifts

approximately 100 plantain farmers, primarily in Region Three, since approximately 6,000 pounds of plantains will be utilized in the facility weekly and, by extension, approximately 24,000 pounds of plantains monthly.

"Today, I am extremely

regards to the marketing of the new plantain chip, the GMC will make Hana available on the local market in its initial stage while it finalizes its export markets; the ultimate aim is to primarily supply to the export markets.

A component of the pro-

tion of value-added products; chips that will target mainly the export market."

Some of the expected benefits of the facility, Minister Holder added, include, "Increased exports of local products and increased investment in the agro-process-

nership and will, therefore, demonstrate that Guyana can compete in the snack industry. Further, plans are also in place to develop a model which will allow for the utilization of this facility by

the Corporation collectively selected the name "Hana" after further research was done with a marketing specialist from Canada; a potential market for Hana.

"The name was changed to ‘Hana’ after market research was done by a team

Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Noel Holder and General Manager of the Guyana Marketing Corporation

Parika Agro-processing Facility

from the Ministry of Business.

General Manager of GMC, Mrs. Ida Sealey-Adams, explained at the commissioning of the facility that a noteworthy feature of this initiative is the opportunity it affords for the sourcing of plantains from farmers in the

elated to have reached this juncture," Mrs Sealey-Adams told the gathering. "We have a very good team with continued support from our consultants. While we are commissioning this facility with the lightly-salted flavoured plantain chips, we will be embarking on other flavours.

from the Guyana Marketing Corporation led by Marketing Specialist; Peter Kibiuk of Canadian University Services Overseas (CUSO) International Consultants, who had a six-month volunteer stint at GMC from October 2018 to March 2019," Mr Fernandes explained.

cessing line for the agro-processing facility was gifted to the GMC by the Ministry of Business.

In pursuit of the realization of its plantain chip product, the GMC also benefitted from technical support provided by various agencies including the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), Cuso International, Partners of the Americas, and PROPEL, all of which provided specialists and other forms of technical support.

During his feature address at the commissioning of

ing industry; an improved business model for enterprises in agro-processing; new employment opportunities for vulnerable groups such as women and youth and more agro-processors to benefit from a facility with improved production and marketing standards."

Minister Holder also noted: "Many times we struggle to compete in international markets due to a limited ability to comply with sanitary and Phytosanitary standards, deficient logistical infrastructure, and weak links to key export markets. Therefore,

agro-processors who produce chips and require a facility.

In closing, Minister Holder expressed his gratitude to the team at GMC for their time and expertise in developing the facility. "I urge you to continue to effectively coordinate all the relevant resources for the maintenance for its sustainable functioning."

He also urged all stakeholders present to work together to ensure that the facility remains successful.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 5, 2020

Three Guianas to Focus on goldmining in Protected Areas THE Protected Areas Commission (PAC), with local and international support, continues to enhance its skills and capabilities to manage Guyana’s protected areas and has recently placed its focus on mining in protected areas.

According to a press statement from the commission, the focus came in the form of a regional workshop on strategies against the threats from illegal goldmining in the Protected Areas of the Guianas held in French Guiana from Wednesday February 12, to Friday February 14, 2020 and attend-

ed by technical personnel from Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana.

The aim of the workshop was to improve the management of protected areas through the sharing of best practices and experiences between stakeholders and communities on strategies to address illegal mining in Protected Areas of the Guianas.

The workshop was the third Regional Workshop organised under the RENFORSAP (“Strengthening the Network of Protected Areas in the Guiana Shield and their contributions to sustainable development in respect

of local cultures, values and lifestyles”) Project. This project is a multi-stakeholder and transnational approach amongst protected area managers of French Guiana, Suriname and Guyana.

Brief opening remarks at the workshop were delivered by PAC Commissioner, Denise Fraser, on behalf of the Protected Areas Commission, a partner in the project.

The commissioner noted the international significance of the Guiana Shield, its geology, and biological and cultural diversity. Mrs. Fraser noted that the workshop brought together a range of

persons working in the field with different experiences, strategies, and lessons learnt that could contribute towards developing more effective ways to deal with illegal gold mining in the Protected Areas of the three Guianas.

She called on all participants to take part and expect rich and fruitful discussions in the workshop, the release said.

PAC said that its Chairperson, Raquel Thomas-Caesar, also represented the PAC, as well as the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development, at the threeday workshop.

PAC Commissioner, Denise Fraser, during opening remarks

Further, the team from Guyana included not only the PAC, but representatives from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Corps of Wardens, Ministry of Natural Resources, and Conservation Interna-

tional - Guyana.

The completion of the workshop saw the beginning of a synthesis on strategies against the threats from illegal gold mining in the protected areas of the Guianas and the identification of potential opportunities for cooperation.

Team from Guyana

Lindeners celebrate regional victory with motorcade and after-party RESIDENTS of the mining town of Linden, on Wednesday, celebrated the landslide victory they delivered to the coalition with a grand motorcade that started from Amelia’s Ward and culminated at the popular ‘Five Corner’ Junction, where a grand after party was held.

Another commenced at the Wisroc Junction and culminated on Burnham Drive. Scores of vehicles joined the procession, hocking their horns to victory while waving their coalition flags and playing campaign songs. Leading them was a sound truck playing hyped and celebratory music. Scores of Lindeners spectated at street corners along

the route, cheering them on and waving their coalition flags. At the Five Corner they were welcomed by another large crowd who were partying, blowing horns and waving their coalition flags.

Former Member of Parliament, Jermaine Figueira, said that the activity was only a celebration of the regional win and is not to be mistaken as a premature celebration of the coalition’s victory at the general elections. He urged residents to remain patient and wait on GECOM for official results. “I assure supporters to remain calm and patient and allow GECOM to do its work in bringing us free, fair and credible elections,” Figueira said.

When the Guyana Chronicle spoke to some residents, they basically said they were celebrating victory. “Victory for the coalition, we gon celebrate whole night tonight. Let the blow, blow, blow.

Victory for the coalition,” he said.

Meanwhile business in Linden was as normal. The market arena was buzzing with activities and schools did not see a decline in attendance by neither teachers nor children.

Pensioners were busy collecting their pensions, public transportation was available and restaurants and bars were opened.

There lingered however, a feeling of anxiety and nervousness in the atmosphere and the talk of the

town remained on the elections results being declared. With Linden being a APNU+AFC stronghold, residents were naturally disappointed in the PPP gaining victory for almost all of the regions the results were declared for thus far.

They remained hopeful that the APNU+AFC will make a grand come back with a landslide victory from Region Four. Thus far, the coalition secured regional victory in Regions 10 and Eight.

In Region 10, the APNU+AFC secured approximately 19153 votes out of the 22130 valid votes that were cast on elections day.

This is approximately 3000 more votes, compared to the 16791 that

were cast at the 2015 Regional and General Elections. The People’s Progressive Party (PPP), managed to pick up about 3202 votes, which is about 250 more votes that were cast in 2015. Other small parties that made some in roads in Region 10, include Change Guyana with 187 votes, the People’s Republic Party with 69 votes and the United Republic Party, with about 119 votes.

There was a 66 per cent voter turnout in Region 10. In 2015, 19742 persons voted, while in 2020, 22130 votes were cast. Out of these, there were 311 rejected votes.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 5, 2020

Observers bemoan lack of campaign financing legislation

By Svetlana Marshall THE absence of Campaign Financing Legislation, in Guyana, is a cause for major concern, the International Electoral Observation Missions have said, even as they challenged the country to put adequate legislative systems in place

to provide for transparency and accountability within political parties.

Currently, financing of political parties and campaigns in Guyana is guided by the Representation of the People Act, however, the legislation only mandates that candidates and their agents submit reports

on their expenditures to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) at the end of the electoral process. This provision, the Electoral Observation Missions said, is woefully inadequate.

In delivering the European Union Election Observation Mission’s (EU EOM’s) preliminary stateEU EOM’s Chief Observer, Urmas Paet (Photo by Delano Williams)

OAS EOM Chief Observer Bruce Golding

The Commonwealth Observer Group Chief of Mission, Rt Hon Owen Arthur, addressing the press, in the presence other observers. (Photo by Delano Williams)

ment on Monday’s General and Regional Elections, the Chief Observer, Urmas Paet alluded to the fact that political parties and their candidates raise funds from private sources in-country and abroad, without any limitations regarding the source or amount of donation. The situation, he said, is further compounded by the fact that there is no legislative requirement for these political parties to disclose sources of funding though Guyana has given international commitment to root out corruption.

“Guyana acceded to the UN Convention against Corruption in 2008, but its legal framework is insufficient to provide for transparency and accountability in political party and campaign finance.

There is no system of public financing for political parties or election campaigns,” Paet told journalists during a press conference at the Guyana Marriott on Wednesday.

He said based on observation by the EU EOM, the ruling A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) had significant funds at their disposal, “unmatched” by any other party.

“With implicit consent of the two main political contenders, GECOM does not assume its oversight responsibility to monitor campaign finance,” he further noted.

In the existing legislation, there is a cap on parties’ expenditure during the campaign season, however, it is outdated, as well as the financial sanctions for parties’

failure to disclose the amount of money spent. These provisions, however, were never implemented. “GECOM and all parties admitted that the legal provisions for campaign finance have never been implemented,” the Chief of Mission stated.

The Commonwealth Observer Group, in Guyana, made similar observations when its Chief of Mission, Rt Hon Owen Arthur delivered an interim statement on Wednesday at Cara Lodge.

Arthur, a former Prime Minister of Barbados, underscored the need for Campaign Financing Laws and regulations in the country.

“The current limit on expenses ranges from GY$25,000 to GY$50,000 or the equivalent of US$125-250, this is clearly outdated,” the Commonwealth Chief Observer said.

Similar observations were recorded by the Organisation of American States (OAS) Electoral Observation Mission (EOM). It, however, was keen on noting that in addition to lack of adequate provisions for the disclosure of sources of contributions, there is no established procedure that guides the use of state resources.

As such, the OAS EOM, led by Jamaica’s former Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, advocated for modernized legislative frameworks to be put in place to foster greater transparency and accountability along the campaign trail.

“The Mission, therefore recommends: that as recommended in 2015, the existing legislation should be revised and modernized to include

clear limits on campaign spending, the identification of the sources of funding, the prevention of anonymous donations, and the limitation of private and in-kind donations to political and electoral campaigns,” Golding submitted. He added that consideration should also be given to the inclusion, in such a regulatory framework, of state funding for political parties and campaigns. Golding went one step further and submitted the OAS model legislation on campaign finance for consideration by the Guyanese leaders.

While the major parties in Guyana have long indicated their commitment to putting the requisite legislation in place to facilitate transparent campaign financing, the issue remains a live one.

Throughout the entire electoral season, only The Citizenship Initiative (TCI), a small political party, made public its campaign finances which totalled $2.5M at the end of January, 2020.

The Carter Centre, after observing the 2015 General and Regional Elections, recommended that a campaign financing legislation be introduced to ensure transparency in the sources of funding to contesting political parties.

“Guyana should consider establishing and enforcing realistic limits on campaign expenditures to help promote equity, and avoid inequalities in access to resources, which undermine the democratic process,” the Carter Center had said.

To date, the Center’s position remains the same.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 5, 2020

PPP/C maintains hold on Region Three

VOTING in Region Three kept to traditional outcome, and saw the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) maintaining its grip on the region where it won 66.1 per cent of the 72,608 valid votes cast in the General Elections in the region.

The A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) received 23, 811 to also maintain its over 30 per cent share in the Region. The results mean that the PPP/C will preserve its allocation of two of the Region’s three geographical seats in the 65 seat

sons for it in the letter; I just delivered the letter to him [Jagdeo]. Elections in this region went smooth but we always said with the kind of [Official Electors] list there was room for skullduggery.

We do believe everything didn’t go fair,” Norton said as he exited the RO’s building on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Assistant Elections Agent for the Party, John Adams, had indicated that the party had concerns about two polling stations on the West Coast Demerara following allegations of Disciplined Services ballots not

PPP/C Election Agent, Priya Manickchand

National Assembly. The party will also sustain majority seat in the 27 seat Regional Democratic Council (RDC).

In the Regional Elections, the PPP/C cleared 47,890 votes while the APNU took 23,824 votes. The results were officially declared on Wednesday morning by the region's Returning Officer, Mohanlall Jagdeo, at his office at Vreed-en-Hoop, in the presence of agents for both parties, as well as observers from the European Union.

Elections agent for the APNU+AFC, Aubrey Norton, shared, however, that his party has already written Jagdeo requesting a recount of the entire region’s ballot boxes. “At the party level, we have agreed for a recount of Region Three, giving rea-

being counted and another of spoilt ballots being counted.

In the case of the uncounted Disciplined Services ballots, Adams said that according to reports, a Presiding Officer (PO) at a polling station in Vergenoegen failed to stamp, intermix and count Disciplined Services ballots assigned to that polling station.

Those ballots, Adams said, were left in a separate envelope and never counted.

The other case alleges that a PO at a Parika polling station assigned a number of spoilt ballots to the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C). Following the declaration of elections results, parties are afforded a period during which they can request, and must be afforded a recount of ballots.

PPP Election agent, Priya Manickchand, meanwhile, thanked the Region for continuing to place their trust in that party. She said that while the APNU+AFC requested recount should be accommodated, as is provided for by law, nothing could change the significant lead that the party enjoys in the Region.

“The PPP/C has won the Region by in excess of 24,000 votes; we are very pleased.

The people of Region Three have spoken and their voices have been heard which they have a right to do; we’re very glad that that happened,” Manickchand commented.

Though percentage in the region for both of the major political parties remained the same, both parties saw significant increases of votes received. In 2015, the PPP/C received 40,480 votes in the General Elections, gaining 7,375 more votes at last Monday’s elections.

The APNU+AFC, in 2015, had 20,913 votes, seeing an increase of 2,898 more votes this year.

A total of 100,758 persons were scheduled to vote in the Region, which saw a turnout of 72 per cent.

In a surprising turn of events for the region, however, Change Guyana, headed by hotelier, Robert Badal took over as the third most popular individual political party in the region, taking 318 votes in General Elections and 388 in the Regional elections. In the General Elections, the party came just ahead of A New and united Guyana (ANUG), headed by former PPP/C executive member, Ralph Ramkarran, which had 310 votes.

ANUG did not contest in the Regional Elections.

However, ANUG’s votes will be combined and counted jointly with the votes of The New Movement (TNM), which received 56 votes, which will place the partnership ahead of Change Guyana. The Regions native

Woman who chopped husband to death charged with manslaughter DHANMATTIE Seenarine, 52, called “Sisto” or “Nurse”, was charged with the offence of manslaughter when she appeared before Magistrate Alex Moore at the Number 51 Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

After the charge was read, she was granted bail in the sum of $150,000. However, it is unclear whether she was able to post bail.

Seenarine is accused of chopping her husband, Anthony Permaul, 43, called “Banks”, a labourer of Clifton Settlement, East Berbice, Corentyne. Permaul report-

Dead: Anthony Permaul

edly died between February 25 and 26 from the cop

wounds.

On the day in question, the couple was imbibing and an argument ensued between them. Persaud allegedly punched his wife and in retaliation she chopped him on the left hand.

He was taken to the Port Mourant Hospital the following morning where he was treated but was later transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he succumbed. The matter was transferred to the Whim Magistrate’s Court for March 19 for report and fixtures.

party, the United Republican Party (URP) found itself pushed out from its

fourth place by a number of newcomers. With 43 votes, the party finished last of

APNU+AFC Elections Agent, Aubrey Norton

the eight parties on the Region’s General Elections ballot. With 179 votes, the party finished fourth in the Regional Elections, where the religious People’s Republic Party (PRP) finished with 151. PRP had 135 votes in the Regional Elections.

The only other contesting party in the Region, The Citizen’s Initiative (TCI), also failed to make any significant mark in this Region, taking a paltry 80 votes in the General Elections; they did not contest the Regional Elections.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 5, 2020

Windies’ Pollard joins 10K-run club in his 500th T20 match

(REUTERS) - West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard became the first player to play 500 Twenty20 matches and only the second player to amass 10 000 runs in the format during their 25-run win over Sri Lanka in Kandy yesterday.

Skipper Pollard, who had 9 966 career runs across both international and franchise cricket prior to this game, scored 34 off 15 balls to join compatriot Chris Gayle (13

296 runs) in the 10 000-runs club.

Apart from T20 internationals, the 32-year-old has also played for franchises in India, Australia, England, West Indies, South Africa, Bangladesh and Pakistan since making his T20 debut in 2006.

“Congrats on the 500 and welcome to the 10K Club, @KieronPollard55,” Gayle wrote on Twitter here.

Tottenham’s Dier climbs into crowd to confront fan

By Martyn Herman

LONDON (Reuters) Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Eric Dier was involved in a confrontation with a fan after his side’s penalty shootout defeat

by Norwich City in the fifth-round of the FA Cup on He was Wednesday.

He was restrained by security guards and other fans. He was eventually led away.

It is believed his brother was in the section where the incident happened and Dier could be heard saying “he’s my brother” in video footage posted on social media.

Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho said he had sympathy for Dier but said his actions were wrong.

“I think Eric did what we professionals cannot do but probably every one of us would do,” he told reporters after his side’s fourth successive defeat.

“When someone insults you and your family is involved, especially your younger brother.

“This person insulted Eric, the younger brother was not happy with the

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situation and Eric was not happy. But we as professionals cannot do what he did.

“But I repeat, probably everyone of us would do,” he said, adding “I am with the player and I understand the player.”

It is not the first time a player has clashed with a fan this season. Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka was stripped of the club captaincy after mouthing an expletive to home fans when substituted in a match against Crystal Palace.

Dier’s action is potentially more serious though and could lead to disciplinary action.

It is another worry for Mourinho whose Tottenham side are unravelling after an initial revival when the Portuguese replaced Mauricio Pochettino.

Dier’s action is potentially more serious though and could lead to disciplinary action.

It is another worry for Mourinho whose Tottenham side are unravelling after an initial revival when the Portuguese replaced Mauricio Pochettino.

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23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 5, 2020

South Africa seal ODI series after Ngidi, Malan heroics … Ngidi’s career-best 6 for 58, Malan’s unbeaten 129

SOUTH Africa’s recent dominance over Australia in oneday cricket has continued with an undermanned Proteas side beating last year’s World Cup semi-finalists by six wickets in Bloemfontein to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in their three-match ODI series.

Malan’s unbeaten 129 was an impressive response after his horror ODI debut in Paarl on Saturday, when he was dismissed for a firstball duck and left the field late in the match with what appeared to be hamstring soreness.

In a tense finish in front of

A career-best 69 from D’Arcy Short had earlier been the high point of Australia’s innings, the left-hander coming to the crease when the score was 3-81 after Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne had been dismissed in consecutive deliveries, the latter for a first-ball duck,

Lungi Ngidi registered career-best figures of 6 for 58 (AFP)

Australia’s 10th loss to South Africa in their past 11 one-day games and their sixth bilateral series defeat to the Proteas in eight attempts also mean they have won just one of their past seven one-day internationals against all nations.

10 000 fans who enjoyed the carnival atmosphere at Bloemfontein’s Manguang Oval, Malan was dropped on 83 by Alex Carey off the bowling of the impressive Adam Zampa (2-48) while he also had a slice of luck on 76, when a top edge

Janneman Malan soaks in the applause for his maiden ODI century

Without star players Kagiso Rabada, Temba Bavuma, Faf du Plessis and Rassie van der Dussen, South Africa’s less established players have delivered with the bat in this series, a maiden international century to second-gamer Janneman Malan here matching the feat of Heinrich Klaasen in the opening game of the series.

Lungi Ngidi had earlier led the charge after the Proteas lost the toss, finishing with figures of 6-58 in Australia’s total of 271.

landed safely between four converging Australian fielders.

And the 23-year-old, who averages more than 50 in first-class cricket, wouldn’t be denied as he brought up three digits from 124 balls.

The right-hander hit seven fours and three sixes as South Africa chased down a victory target of 272 with nine balls remaining - the opener sharing crucial partnerships with JJ Smuts (41), Klaasen (51) and David Miller (37 not out) as Australia’s bowlers struggled to make regular breakthroughs.

as up to a dozen members of the South African-born batsman’s extended family watched on from the stands.

Short has been earmarked

as a potential solution to Australia’s finishing problems in the middle order and he impressed here, registering the equal-top score of the innings along with skipper Aaron Finch to push his case for further opportunities in both the 50-over and T20 sides.

After Finch’s dismissal, Short and Mitchell Marsh (36 from 45 balls) shared a 66-run stand and looked poised to push Australia’s total towards the 300 mark, but a late-order collapse of 6-47 saw the tourists bowled out on the final ball of the innings.

The bowling hero for the hosts was undoubtedly Ngidi, who made three early breakthroughs as he recorded the best figures by a South African paceman since 2015.

Playing his 26th career match, the towering right-armer also cleaned up the tail to become the fastest man from his country to reach 50 ODI wickets and the 10th fastest overall.

But as was the case in the series-opener in Paarl, it was Ngidi’s early wickets that laid the foundation for another deserved Proteas win that leaves the Australians with only pride to play for in the final match of the tour in Potchefstroom on Saturday.

SCORECARD

AUSTRALIA Innings David Warner c Janneman Malan b Lungi Ngidi 35 Aaron Finch c Quinton de Kock b Anrich Nortje 69 Steven Smith c JJ Smuts b Lungi Ngidi

13 Marnus Labuschagne c Janneman Malan b Lungi Ngidi 0 D’Arcy Short c Janneman Malan b Tabraiz Shamsi 69 Mitchell Marsh b Andile Phehlukwayo

36 Alex Carey c Quinton de Kock b Lungi Ngidi 21 Ashton Agar c Keshav Maharaj b Lungi Ngidi 9 Pat Cummins c JJ Smuts b Lungi Ngidi

6 Mitchell Starc lbw Anrich Nortje

3 Adam Zampa not out

3 EXTRAS: (lb-3, w-4) 7 TOTAL: (all out, 50.0 overs)

271 Fall of wickets: 1-50, 2-81, 3-81, 4-158, 5-224, 6-238, 7-257, 8-263, 9-266.

Bowling: Keshav Maharaj 10-0-53-0, Anrich Nortje 100-59-2, Lungi Ngidi 10-0-58-6 (w-1), Andile Phehlukwayo 10-0-44-1 (w-2), Tabraiz Shamsi 10-0-54-1 (w-1).

SOUTH AFRICA innings Janneman Malan not out 129 Quinton de Kock b Mitchell Starc

0 JJ Smuts c Pat Cummins b Adam Zampa

41 Kyle Verreynne c Mitchell Marsh b Pat Cummins 3 Heinrich Klaasen c Aaron Finch b Adam Zampa 51 David Miller not out

37 EXTRAS: (lb-4, nb-1, w-8)

13 TOTAL: (four wkts, 48.3 overs)

274 Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-92 s, 3-103, 4-184.

Bowling: Mitchell Starc 9.3-0-53-1 (w-1), Pat Cummins 10-1-59-1 (w-4, nb-1), Mitchell Marsh 9-0-51-0 (w-2), Ashton Agar 9-0-48-0, Adam Zampa 10-0-48-2 (w-1).

Gonsalves accredited as CWI Level 1 coach

RAYBORN Gonsalves who hails from the county of Essequibo was recently the recipient of Cricket West Indies (CWI) Level 1 Coaching Certificate.

The presentation was made at a simple ceremony held in the Office of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Gonsalves was among a number of coaches who had undertaken the foundation course conducted by the GCB, in collaboration with CWI in 2019.

In a brief interview with Chronicle Sport, he expressed delight at being given the opportunity to pursue what he described as quite a challenging career path.

“I am heartened that I have accomplished this goal as I endeavour to make even further strides in an effort to better serve Essequibo’s cricket and further afield” he confidently stated. He is the son of the late former national fast bowler and coach Courtney Gonsalves.

Equipped now with the knowledge, Gonsalves has begun conducting coaching

sessions along the Coast and has expressed his eagerness to provide young cricketers with the necessary skills to develop and transform their game.

Gonsalves, who resides in Affiance, remains an active cricketer as a member of the Invaders Masters senior team. The Central Essequibo Cricket Committee has since extended congratulations to Gonsalves who in turn thanked those who have supported him during his assignment.

He will now join a group of Accredited Coaches in Essequibo and the Islands, including senior coaches Forbes Daniels and Elroy Stephney along with Ryan Hercules, Nankishore Andrews, Jermain Bowen, Anthony Adams and Andy Ramnarine.

Meanwhile, Debra Daniels from South Essequibo also successfully completed the course and was awarded as well. She is the daughter of Essequibo senior coach, Forbes Daniels.

Haiti tame Lady Jags 3-0 in CONCACAF U-20 Women’s Championship quarter-finals GUYANA’S exceptional run in this year’s CONCACAF U-20 Women’s Championship came to an end yesterday in the quarter-finals, when they went down 3-0 to Haiti in the Dominican Republic.

It was Guyana’s second defeat at the tournament, following their 3-0 loss to Mexico in the competition’s group stage.

Haiti encountered the contest of the tournament’s most prolific goal-scoring teaming, finding the net 34 times in four outings. Along with the USA, they are the only team to not concede a goal.

Melchie Dumoornay netted a hat-trick (15th, 54th, 60th) for the women from the French-speaking province of the dual-country Island, who would move on to play the winners of the clash between Trinidad & Tobago and Mexico in the semi-finals.

For Guyana, they would leave the tournament, which also serves as a qualifier for the 2020 FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup, with their heads held high, especially after becoming the first Youth team from Guyana to reach the knockout stage of any major tournament on the international scene.

Hemraj out, as...

FROM BACK PAGE will be seeking to add to their points tally when they battle Red Force at Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad and Tobago. Windward Volcanoes will be seeking to take advantage of Scorpions who were humbled in the last round, when the two sides collide at the National Cricket Stadium in St George’s, Grenada.

Guyana Jaguar Team Round 7 Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Tevin Imlach, Vishaul Singh, Leon Johnson (capt.), Christopher Barnwell, Raymon Reifer, Anthony Bramble, Kevin Sinclair, Gudakesh Motie, Akshaya Persaud, Veerasammy Permaul, Keon Joseph, Niall Smith Julian Moore - manager/assistant coach Esuan Crandon - coach Neil Barry Jr - physiotherapist.

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 5, 2020

Sunil Joshi in line to take over as chairman of selectors

FORMER India left-arm spinner Sunil Joshi will take over as the chairman of the men’s selection committee, which will have a second new face in former India fast bowler Harvinder Singh.

Joshi and Harvinder will join the trio of Sarandeep Singh, Devang Gandhi and Jatin Paranjape in the new panel, whose first job will be to pick the Indian squad for the three-match ODI series at home against South Africa, to be played between March 12 and 18.

Joshi and Harvinder will fill the vacant slots on the selection panel created after the tenures of former India wicketkeeper MSK Prasad and former Rajasthan batsman Gagan Khoda had ended.

Joshi and Harvinder’s appointment was done by the three-member Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) comprising Madan Lal, RP Singh and Sulakshana Naik today.

On Tuesday, the CAC had shortlisted five candidates from a broader pool of 40 applications forwarded by the BCCI. Along with Joshi and Harvinder, former India leg-spinner L Sivaramakrishnan, former India fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad, and former India off-spinner Rajesh Chauhan were part of that shortlist.

As per the BCCI constitution, the most senior member on the selection panel, based on the number of Test caps, will become the chairman. Joshi is

the senior-most member, having played 15 Tests, and hence the CAC recommended to BCCI that he become the new chairman of selectors.

Lal said that all five candidates were “very impressive” during their interviews and the CAC had picked the “best” for the two vacant positions. Asked on what basis the five candidates were shortlisted, Lal said that the CAC was clear that it would pick one candidate each from the South and Central Zones respectively.

That meant the CAC had revived the zonal policy the BCCI had said it had discarded in 2016, when the three members (Sarandeep, Gandhi and Paranjape) had been appointed through an interview process.

Incidentally, although those three candidates did take interviews, all five members of that selection panel, led by Prasad, represented the five different zones.

“One selector had to come from South and one from Central, “ Lal said at a media briefing in Mumbai yesterday. “Our zonal system is one of the best. Keeping that in mind we have picked the best (candidates). We have picked those guys who were the best in those (two) zones.”

According to Lal, both Joshi and Harvinder were “very clear” in their “thought process”. Asked to provide an example, Lal said: “We asked them some pretty tough ques-

tions, but they were very, very clear and very, very straightforward. We asked them about their communication skills and how they would handle (communication) with the team

Asked whether the playing experience of someone like Agarkar - he had featured in all three formats for India was considered, both Lal and RP Singh said it was naturally

CAC will sit again and to pick the new selectors in their place and we will review the performance of the selectors that we have picked.”

Sunil Joshi (left), Harvinder Singh and Rajesh Chauhan at the BCCI headquarters (PTI)

management. Keeping all this mind I feel the interviews we conducted were the best.”

Some of the applicants in the broader pool are likely to be disappointed with the process, considering that there was no mention in the BCCI advertisement that shortlisted candidates were going to be filtered through the zonal policy. Among those who had originally applied were former India wicketkeeper Nayan Mongia along with former India fast bowlers Chetan Sharma, Ajit Agarkar and Abey Kuruvilla.

used as a yardstick, but in the end the choices were based on the zone.

Lal said those who missed out should not be disappointed considering three new vacancies would open up later this year when the tenures of Sarandeep, Gandhi and Paranjape come to an end. Lal was clear that the zonal policy would also be in play when the new selectors get picked.

“Regarding Ajit, see our zonal system is very good,” Lal said. “This tenure is for one year. Once the tenure of other selectors is over, the

THE KOHLI QUESTION There was a perception about the previous selection panel, led by Prasad, that it was being overpowered by India captain Virat Kohli, who is a participant in the selection meetings.

After the 2019 World Cup, where India were knocked out in the semi-finals, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar had questioned why the selectors had not reviewed the position of Kohli, whose tenure was only till the end of the global tournament. Ga-

vaskar described the selectors as “lame ducks” then.

Yesterday, the CAC was asked how the new selectors, including Joshi, would deal with Kohli. Lal pointed out that the communication with the India captain and coach would form key part of any selector’s job and that point was stressed by the CAC during the interview process.

“Our captain (Kohli) is very big, his performances have been many and huge,” Lal said. “We have paid attention to that point that the selectors can communicate with the captain because in the end the team needs to be run by the captain. Captain matters a lot to the team. We did raise this point during the interviews and we focussed on the best answers on this topic.”

According to Lal, the communication channels between the selectors and the team management, especially the captain and the head coach, need to be transparent at all times.

Asked if the CAC had sought the views of the Indian team management, Lal said: “I’ll put it in a different way. We have a team and unless you come on the same page, you cannot communicate among yourselves.

“It is all about Indian cricket and not about A, B or C. That is the important part of it. So that is what we thought about. So we asked them questions on which these two were brilliant.”

(ESPN Cricinfo)

Black Caps back at full strength for Aussie retro ODI series Kane ‘definitely’ fit for Euro 2020 after hamstring injury NEW ZEALAND will have their first-choice pace attack restored when they chase cricketing redemption on Australian soil in this month’s Gillette ODI Series.

Spearheads Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry are included in the 15man squad for the three-match series starting next week after injury forced all three to miss the 3-0 sweep of an ODI series against India.

The trio all played little or no part in the Black Caps’ humiliating Test whitewash

by Australia over the Christmas period due to a variety of ailments.

Ferguson and Henry have only played domestic cricket since then but left-arm swing merchant Boult returned in a starring role in New Zealand’s just-completed 2-0 Test series thumping of India.

Tim Southee and breakthrough rookie Kyle Jamieson have retained their ODI spots, meaning no room for Scott Kuggeleijn and Hamish Bennett.

Kane Williamson will lead a familiar batting line-up while the all-rounder group compris-

es Jimmy Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme and Mitchell Santner, all key figures in the Black Caps’ run to last year’s World Cup final.

The last time Australia and New Zealand met in ODI cricket was in the group stage of last year’s World Cup, where Usman Khawaja topscored with 88 and Mitchell Starc claimed a five-wicket haul in a 86-run win for Australia.

The only player missing from their World Cup squad is hard-hitting opening batsman Colin Munro, replaced

by Jamieson.

Coach Gary Stead was pleased to have a fullstrength side available to chase a first New Zealand ODI series win in Australia.

“Playing Australia in Australia is one of the great challenges in world cricket and you know you will be severely tested in all aspects of the game,” Stead said.

“Our one-day unit is a pretty settled one with plenty of experience and I think that showed in the recent series against India.

“It’s great to welcome

back the class of Trent, Matt and Lockie who spearheaded our run to the Cricket World Cup final last year.

“Kyle’s made every post a winner since his international debut this season and he’ll be a handy asset to have in Australia.”

Tall seamer Jamieson was a revelation against India, taking nine wickets at 16.33 across the two Tests.

The squad leaves on Monday ahead of a series which starts at the Sydney Cricket Ground on March 13.

New Zealand squad: Kane Williamson (c), Martin Guptill, Henry Nicholls, Ross Taylor, Tom Latham, Tom Blundell, Jimmy Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult.

First ODI: March 13 at SCG (D/N). 14:30hrs AEDT, Fox Cricket & Kayo Second ODI: March 15 at SCG. 10:30hrs AEDT, Fox Cricket & Kayo Third ODI: March 20 at Blundstone Arena, Hobart (D/N). 14:30hrs AEDT, Fox

TOTTENHAM and England striker Harry Kane insists he will be fit for Euro 2020 and hopes to return next month.

The 26-year-old has not played since rupturing a tendon in his left hamstring at Southampton on January 1.

The severity of the injury necessitated surgery, leading to concerns about the England captain’s involvement in Euro 2020, which begins on June 12.

But Kane said: “Unless something pretty drastic happens between now and then, I’ll be there.”

Kane, Tottenham’s leading scorer for the past five seasons, has resumed light training at Spurs ahead of schedule but will miss England’s home friendlies against Italy and Denmark this month.

“I’m still not back training with the first team, but I’m working hard in the gym, I’m getting stronger

all the time,” he told the Evening Standard.

“We’re talking a few more weeks, and I’ll be playing again. I don’t want to make a

semi-finals.

He is sixth on the alltime England goal-scoring list, with 32 in 45 appearances.

Harry Kane scored after only 79 seconds on his England debut in March 2015

prediction for which game I might be back, but I am hoping somewhere between the start and the middle of April.”

Kane was the leading scorer at the 2018 World Cup when England reached the

The first match for Gareth Southgate’s team in Euro 2020 is against Croatia at Wembley on June 14 and Kane said: “In my head, I am definitely at the Euros.”

(BBC Sport)

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 5, 2020

Aguero sends Man City through, Norwich knock out Spurs

By Martyn Herman

LONDON (Reuters) - Sergio Aguero’s second-half goal proved enough for holders Manchester City to beat second-tier Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 and reach the FA Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday, but Pep Guardiola’s side made hard work of it.

It looked like a practice game at times for City, who won the League Cup last weekend, but they failed to convert their overwhelming superiority into goals.

Nicolas Otamendi headed on to the crossbar and Benjamin Mendy thumped a shot against the woodwork, before Aguero made the breakthrough in the 53rd minute courtesy

of an unfortunate error by keeper Joe Wildsmith.

City’s reward was a trip to Newcastle United in the last eight.

Tottenham Hotspur’s season continued to unravel as they lost a penalty shootout against the Premier League’s bottom club Norwich City, after the tie ended 1-1 after extra time.

Jan Vertonghen headed Tottenham into an early lead but a mistake by home keeper Michel Vorm allowed Josip Drmic to bundle in a late leveller for Norwich.

To t t e n h a m f a i l e d to score three of their shootout penalties with Tim Krul’s save from Gedson Fernandes sending a 9,000-strong away following wild at the other end

Manchester City's Sergio Aguero in action with Sheffield Wednesday's Tom Lees and Joey Pelupessy Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith

Sydney rain threatens Australia’s T20 World Cup defence

SYDNEY, Australia (Reuters) - Australia’s hopes of retaining the Women’s Twenty20 World Cup in a blockbuster final on Sunday could fall foul of the Sydney weather, with heavy rain threatening to wash out today’s semi-finals.

A shock loss to India in their tournament opener means Australia finished second in Group A, so would be knocked out by Group B winners South Africa if their semi-final clash at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) was not completed.

Cricket Australia (CA) had spoken with the International Cricket Council (ICC) about the possibility of moving the matches to a reserve day, but had been told it was not possible under tournament rules, CA chief Kevin Roberts said.

“It’s not part of the playing conditions and we respect that,” Roberts told Melbourne’s SEN radio yesterday.

Stormy weather is forecast by the Bureau of Meteorology throughout today at the SCG, with the chance of rain in the

With wet weather plaguing another Sydney event, lessons learned at last month’s KFC BBL final have the ground staff well placed to get the World Cup semi-finals on (Getty Images)

Unbeaten India take on England in the first of today’s semi-finals at the SCG and would progress to Sunday’s final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) if a minimum of 10 overs a side were not possible because of the weather.

evening when Australia are scheduled to take on the South Africans, ranging from 50% to 70%.

The loss to the tournament of the four-time champions and hosts would be a major blow to hopes that Sunday’s final will attract a

crowd in excess of 90 000 to the MCG. The hosts’ immediate priority is to fill the void created by all-rounder Ellyse Perry’s exit from the tournament with a hamstring injury.

“We’ve got a few options that we’re looking at to replace Ellysse,” Australia captain Meg Lanning told reporters.

“Obviously we can’t truly replace her, but we’ve got a number of different options to go with depending on the conditions.”

South Africa are also fretting on the availability of all-rounder Marizanne Kapp, who suffered heart palpitation in Sunday’s match against Pakistan and skipped training.

“A player’s health is more important than a game,” South Africa skipper Dane van Niekerk said.

“Whatever decision is made I am confident other players would step up and make sure she is not missed too much.”

India will be hoping to improve their dismal 0-5 tournament record against England in a rematch of the 2018 semi-final in Antigua.

“After losing the last semi-final, as a team we realised that we have to work as a unit,” India captain Harmanpreet Kaur said.

“We just need to keep doing the right things and just focus on the right things instead of worrying about the past.”

as their team reached their first FA Cup quarter-final for 28 years.

“That’s what it’s all about, that’s why we do all the hard work,” said Krul, who also saved one from Tottenham’s teenaged substitute Troy Parrott.

“As a little boy you want to save penalties to get your tem through to the next round.”

Norwich will host Derby County or Manchester United in the quarter-finals and Arsenal will travel to Sheffield United.

Leicester City set up a home last-eight tie against Chelsea after beating Birmingham City 1-0, Ricardo Pereira’s late header sealing a tight Midlands derby.

The Hundred

Male and female winners to receive equal prize money

The men’s Hundred begins on July 17 and the women’s tournament starts on July 22

THE men’s and women’s Hundred competitions will offer equal prize money when the inaugural tournament is played this summer.

The new 100-ball competition, which features eight city-based teams, begins in July with the men’s and women’s events running simultaneously.

The prize budget of £600 000 will be split equally between the competitions.

“It is brilliant news,” England captain Heather Knight, who will lead London Spirit in The Hundred, told BBC Sport.

“To have equal prize money is a statement by the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) to put women’s cricket alongside men’s cricket.

“We have a long way to go to make women’s cricket as equal as it can be - but the signs are brilliant.”

The women’s Hundred begins with Birmingham

Phoenix’s match against Manchester Originals at Worcestershire’s New Road on July 22 and ends on August 14 at Hove.

Nine matches will be played as double-headers with the women’s fixtures played before the men’s games at the same venues.

While prize money is equal, the contracts for the women’s Hundred are far smaller than in the men’s competition. The highest women’s salary bracket is £15 000, compared with £125 000 for men.

“It is about being realistic as well,” said Knight.

“The women’s game has not been professional for that long. We have seen how the men’s game has built, and the women’s game will hopefully follow suit.

“It (prize money) will be a real boost for those players who will continue playing for a little longer and won’t have to worry

about other jobs and paying the bills.

“I am sure there will be that extra push from them to get their hands on the big prize.”

The head of the women’s Hundred, Beth Barrett-Wild, said the equal prize money is an “important step in the right direction”.

“It’s recognition for the women’s players and the huge value they bring to The Hundred,” added Barrett-Wild.

“The England and Wales Cricket Board is committed to transforming women’s and girls’ cricket, from inspiring young girls to pick up a bat for the first time, through to establishing the women’s game as a professional career option.”

The Hundred will be covered extensively across the BBC, including live television coverage of both finals on August 14 and 15.

(BBC Sport)

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 5, 2020

IOC not discussing cancellation or postponement of Tokyo 2020

Italy orders all sports events to be played without fans

- Thomas Bach

By Karolos Grohmann LAUSANNE, Switzerland (Reuters) - The word ‘cancellation’ or ‘postponement’ was not mentioned during an International Olympic Committee (IOC) meeting focussing on preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Games amid the coronavirus outbreak, IOC president Thomas Bach said yesterday.

Bach was speaking at the end of the two-day meeting at the organisation’s headquarters.

The meeting included a report from Tokyo Games organisers who earned praise from Bach.

Asked what made him so confident the Games would go ahead, Bach said the IOC and 2020 Games organisers were receiving expert information, including from the World Health Organisation.

“I can tell you in the meeting of the IOC Executive Board (that) neither the word ‘cancellation’ nor

the word ‘postponement’ was mentioned,” Bach told reporters.

The coronavirus outbreak so far has infected tens of thousands of people globally and killed more than 3 000.

postponement of numerous major international sporting events and raised concerns about the Tokyo Olympics which are due to start on July 24.

Among those events affected are several Olympic

Thomas Bach, president of the IOC attends a news conference after an Executive Board meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland, yesterday (REUTERS/Denis Balibouse)

J a p a n ’s c o n f i r m e d coronavirus infections rose above 1 000 yesterday, most of them from a quarantined cruise liner. Twelve people have died in the country, six from the ship.

The outbreak has also prompted the cancellation or

qualifiers that were due to take place in the coming weeks and months but have had to be delayed or cancelled.

“We have challenges now with the Olympic qualifications,” Bach said.

“It is challenging, yes,

3000m steeplechase champion, was suspended in February 2018 after she failed an out-of-competition test.

“The panel ... imposes a period of ineligibility of four years upon the athlete,” the AIU said in a statement.

“The period of provisional suspension imposed on the athlete from February 4, 2018 until

the date of the Tribunal Award shall be credited against the total period of ineligibility.”

Jebet told the AIU in March 2018 that she had never taken the substance

but I must also say I am pretty proud of the Olympic movement and of the great solidarity and flexibility everybody has shown to address these challenges and to ensure fair qualifications.”

Bach said it was not the first time the Olympics were in trouble months before the Games. Since 1896 the Games have only been cancelled for the two World Wars.

“We had (before the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Games) a situation where we did not know if we could have Games on the Korean peninsula (because of tensions with North Korea),” he said.

“Before Rio de Janeiro 2016 we were talking about the Zika virus.

“Boycott discussions about Moscow 1980, we had the counter-boycott in Los Angeles 1984. We had a terrorist attack in Munich in 1972. We had the African boycott in 1976.

You need more?”

Steeplechase champion Jebet handed four-year ban for doping violation

(REUTERS) - Kenyan-born Bahraini runner Ruth Jebet has been handed a four-year ban after she was found guilty of testing positive for the banned blood booster r-EPO (recombinant erythropoietin), the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) said yesterday.

Jebet, the 2016 Olympic

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday, March 05, 2020)

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ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ:

(1) (2)

Alzarri Joseph-10 wickets Angelo Matthews-5 wickets

(1)

(2)

What were the best bowling figures by a WI in the recent WI/SL ODI contest?

What were the best bowling figures by a SL player?

TODAY’S QUIZ:

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

FLASHBACK: Ruth Jebet (BRN) of Bahrain poses with her medal 15/08/2016. At Rio Olympics Women’s 3000m Steeplechase Victory Ceremony, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

intentionally and the matter was referred to the disciplinary tribunal.

The AIU, however, was of the opinion that the violation was committed intentionally and said she took one-and-a-half years to admit to the offence while rejecting numerous invitations to do so earlier.

The 23-year-old admitted to the presence of r-EPO in her sample and its use in October last year and waived her right to the analysis of the B sample as she could not afford the costs.

The AIU also ordered the disqualification of all her results between December 1, 2017 and February 4, 2018 along with the forfeiture of medals, points, prize and appearance money.

Inter Milan chief executive Giuseppe Marotta

ROME (Reuters) - Italy has ordered all major sporting events throughout the country, including top-flight Serie A soccer games, to be played without fans for one month in a bid to curb Europe’s worst coronavirus outbreak.

The move, announced in a government decree, will also affect the Six Nations rugby international between Italy and England, due to be played in Rome on March 14, and the Champions League soccer match between Juventus and Olympique Lyonnais on March 17.

All schools and universities were closed on Wednesday to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus in Italy where there have been more than 3,000 cases and the death toll has reached 107.

The ban on the public watching sports events, which had already been in force in three regions in the north but has now been extended nationwide, will last until April 3 at the earliest.

The decree said that “sports events and competitions of any order and discipline, carried out in any place, both public and private, are suspended” but could go ahead if there were no spectators.

It added that “sports associations and clubs, through their own medical staff, are required to carry out appropriate checks to limit the risk of spreading (the coronavirus) among athletes, technicians, managers and all accompanying persons participating.”

Until now, Serie A has preferred to call off games in the affected regions rather than play them in empty

stadiums and 10 matches have been postponed as well as this week’s two Coppa Italia semi-final ties.

However, after a meeting of club and Serie A representatives earlier on Wednesday, Inter Milan chief executive Giuseppe Marotta said that playing without fans could be the only way of finishing the Serie A season.

“Playing behind closed doors could be the only way to complete the championship in the light of the emergency and the restrictions that the government is rightly adopting,” he said as he left the meeting.

“The aim is to finish the championship as normally as possible, without creating a competitive imbalance, but as you can see the scenario is constantly changing.”

Marotta suggested that the six matches which had been postponed last week — including the heavyweight Juventus v Inter clash — could be rescheduled for the coming weekend.

Six Nations organisers have postponed the match between Ireland and Italy in Dublin on March 7 but said on Monday that all other games would go ahead, including Italy’s game against England in Rome, which was not affected by the original ban in the northern regions.

The organisers and the Italian rugby federation could not immediately be reached for comment.

UEFA has said it is in constant contact with local authorities and decisions over whether games should be played behind closed doors, or postponed, would be taken at the last minute.

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 5, 2020

Thomas, Simmons fire Windies to opening Twenty20 win KANDY, Sri Lanka, (CMC) – Speedster Oshane Thomas conjured up a stunning maiden five-wicket haul while opener Lendl Simmons hit a measured unbeaten half-century, as West Indies celebrated captain Kieron Pollard’s 500th Twenty20 with a clinical 25run victory over Sri Lanka here yesterday.

Managing to shake off any lingering lethargy from the 3-0 whitewash in the preceding one-day series, the Caribbean rallied to 196 for four off their 20 overs after opting to bat first at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, with Simmons top-scoring with 67 not out off 51 balls.

All-rounder Andre Russell, in his first T20 International in nearly two years, clobbered a feisty 14-ball 35 and Pollard matched him with an equally brutal 15-ball 34, while opener Brandon King chipped in with 33 off 25 deliveries.

West Indies were 90 for one at the half-way mark but the assault from Russell and Pollard saw the visitors gather 106 from the last 10 overs.

In reply, Sri Lanka were rocked by Thomas’s opening burst, the right-armer taking the first five wickets to fall to reduce the hosts to 56 for five at the end of the sixth over.

Opener Kusal Perera engineered a recovery with a

high class 66 from 38 balls while Wanindu Hasaranga belted 44 from 34 balls but Man-of-the-Match Thomas (5-28) had already done the damage and Sri Lanka were dismissed for 171 at the start of the final over.

helping to add 32 for the second wicket and Russell smashing two fours and four sixes in adding a further 39 for the third wicket.

When Russell was beautifully yorked by veteran speedster and captain La-

Fast bowler Oshane Thomas grabbed his maiden five-wicket haul in T20 Internationals

Desperate to shake off the disappointment of the ODI series, the reigning world champions were handed an excellent start by Simmons and King as the pair posted 74 off 50 balls for the first wicket.

Simmons counted seven fours and two sixes while King struck five fours and a six before holing to longon in the ninth over off left-arm spinner Lakshan Sandakan.

The incoming batsmen then all batted around Simmons, Nicholas Pooran (14)

sith Malinga in the 16th over, Pollard arrived to sustain the intensity, striking three fours and a couple of sixes in a 45-run, fourth-wicket stand with Simmons.

Thomas then wasted little time putting the Windies in command as he turned the game on its head in the second over when he knocked over Avishka Fernando (7), Shehan Jayasuriya (0) and Kusal Mendis (0) in the space of four balls.

Fernando was taken on the second attempt by wick-

etkeeper Pooran off a short, quick delivery, Jayasuriya holed out to third man off the next ball and with the final delivery of the over, Mendis gloved another short one behind.

Tottering on 17 from three, there was some respite courtesy of a 24-run stand between Kusal and Angelo Mathews (10), allowing Sri Lanka to steady themselves.

However, Thomas shook up Mathews with a blow to the head and then removed him three balls later in the fourth over to a brilliant running catch in the deep

by Russell. And when the 23-year-old, who escaped serious injury in a vehicular accident just two weeks ago, bowled Shaaka leg-stump in his next over, Sri Lanka’s innings was in strife.

Kusal capitalised on Thomas’s exit from the attack, counting half-dozen fours and three sixes in an 87-run, sixth-wicket stand with Hasaranga who struck four fours in his knock.

The pair were hauling Sri Lanka back into the contest when Hasaranga perished in the 16th over, lbw to medium pacer Rovman Powell (2-31), and the challenge quickly fizzled out as the last five wickets went down for 28 runs in the space of 22 deliveries.

Campbelle, Selman make moves in ICC rankings

S Y D N E Y, A u s t r a lia (CMC) – Shemaine Campbelle has climbed eight places in the Twenty20 batting rankings, despite West Indies’ poor showing at the ongoing Women’s Twenty20 World Cup here.

In the latest rankings announced yesterday, the 27-year-old Campbelle had risen to 60th but was the only West Indies player to make inroads.

The right-hander was one of the bright sparks for the Windies in an otherwise dismal campaign, which saw them win a single match in four outings, to miss out on the semi-finals for the first time in their last six appearances at the

tournament.

Campbelle had scores of 25 not out, 45 and one to be her side’s leading batsman behind captain Stafanie

the rankings now headed by 16-year-old Indian star Shafali Verma who leaped 19 spots.

Verma gathered 161

West Indies Women’s stroke-maker Shemaine Campbelle

Taylor who finished with 84 runs from three innings.

Taylor managed to remain in the top 10, unmoved at number eight, in

runs from four innings in the preliminary round, as India top Group A with eight points and a perfect record.

New Zealand’s Suzie Bates has dropped one place to second while Australia’s Beth Mooney lies third.

In the bowling rankings, West Indies fast bowler Shakera Selman had jumped seven places to 46th, while veteran off-spinner Anisa Mohammed has moved up three places to 39th.

Leg-spinner Afy Fletcher is the highest-ranked West Indies bowler at 12th while off-spinning all-rounder Hayley Matthews lies 25th and is also joint-fourth in the all-rounder’s charts.

England’s 20-year-old left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone tops the bowling charts after jumping two spots.

Duffy

suffers injury setback during training swim

Bermudian triathlete Flora Duffy

HAMILTON, Bermuda, (CMC) – Bermudian Flora Duffy, who has her sights set on winning the island’s second Olympic medal later this year, has suffered an injury setback after breaking her left hand while training in Stellenbosch, South Africa, media here reported.

The injury occurred at the weekend when she snapped the fifth metacarpal – a connecting bone between the wrist and finger — while swimming in the town where she trains with her South African husband, fellow triathlete Dan Hugo.

Despite the setback, Duffy, a 32-year-old double ITU World Triathlon Series (WTS) world champion, is confident of making a swift return to full fitness.

“Broke my hand Saturday morning. Swimming. Can you believe it?!,” she said on Tuesday. “In the last 15m of a fast 400m my left hand hit the lane rope. My pinky finger got caught, pulled backwards and snapped my fifth metacarpal.

“Today I had surgery to repair the fracture. Luckily, the recovery is quick and I’ll be back training in no time.”

Duffy is waiting to get her season under way after the postponement of this month’s WTS season opener in Abu Dhabi in an effort to reduce the spread of coronavirus in the United Arab Emirates.

The postponement means that the focus of all triathletes now switches to next month’s WTS race in Bermuda, which Duffy won two years ago before a serious foot injury forced her on to the sidelines.

Despite fears over the spread of coronavirus, which has claimed more than 3 000 lives globally, the International Triathlon Union has confirmed the Bermuda event will go ahead as planned on April 18 and 19.

Duffy is hoping to add to the lone Bermuda Olympic medal — a bronze won by heavyweight boxer Clarence Hill in Montreal in 1976 — at this summer’s Games in Tokyo, having failed to place in London in 2012 and Rio de Janeiro four years ago.

By Clifton Ross

Hemraj out, as second-placed

Jaguars face

bottom-of-the-table

Leewards at Providence today

Guyana Jaguars batsman Tevin Imlach hits a few in the nets ahead of today’s clash

PAGE

23

DEFENDING 4-Day champions Guyana Jaguars will be seeking to play some ultra-aggressive cricket, starting from today when Round 7 bowls off at Providence against bottom-of-the-table Leeward Hurricanes.

The champions handed Hurricanes a 10-wicket thrashing a few rounds ago when the two sides met and with the hunt for points now more crucial than ever, Guyana will be seeking to win the remaining rounds in grand fashion.

In-form opener Chandrapaul Hemraj was among the stars in that encounter, hitting 52 while rookie pacer Niall Smith bagged 8 wickets to help the Jags cap off a resounding performance.

Guyana, with a slightly tweaked team will want to replicate their win from a few rounds ago which will earn them extra points. Currently, Jaguars are in second place with 79 points while table-leaders Barbados Pride have amassed a whopping 108.2 points, following the end of the sixth round.

The Hurricanes continue to play competitive cricket despite their pole-position. Middle-order batsman Amir Jangoo is fresh off a 90 in the Hur-

Haiti tame Lady Jags 3-0 in CONCACAF U-20 Women’s Championship quarter-finals

10 000 Windies’ Pollard joins 10 000 run club in his 500th T20 match PAGE

22

ricanes’ last drawn match against his countrymen and powerhouse franchise Trinidad Red Force.

Throw the in-form skipper Jahmar Hamilton, Kaveem Hodge, Kieran Powell and boogeyman Rakeem Cornwall into the mix and Jaguars will need to play as aggressively as they did in the last round when they beat the Jamaica Scorpions by 7 wickets in 3 days.

Cornwall, the West Indies all-rounder and one of Jaguars’ key tormentors in Regional 4-Day cricket over the seasons, was player-of-the-match bagging 10 wickets and clobbering 48 off 44 in the second innings to help set up a draw for his team against Red Force and could be one to watch out for.

On the other hand, Guyana who held their usual preparatory practice session yesterday at the Providence stadium, seemed full of confidence as their deficit of 30-odd points could easily be wiped off over the next 3 rounds and counting, should they play well or/if the Pride encounters hiccups along the way.

The key to a comprehensive win could be the Jags bowling department, led by the wizard Veerasammy Permaul, coming off a 15-wicket haul and currently sitting

TURN TO PAGE 23

Gonsalves accredited as CWI Level 1 coach PAGE

23

West Indies Kieron Pollard evades a bouncer during their Twenty20 World Cup semi-final cricket match against Australia in Colombo October 5, 2012.

(REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte (File photo)

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on 45 wickets as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker to date.

Smith, who was fresh into his 4-day career when he bagged 8 wickets in the match, has since sharpened his skills and could add further impetus to the stacked unit which features seamers; Raymon Reifer, Chris Barnwell, Keon Joseph, off-break spinner Kevin Sinclair and left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie.

Batting-wise, the Jags are without two big players in Hemraj and Shimron Hetmyer who was recalled to the West Indies T20 team for the Sri Lanka series. World-Cup winning Under-19 wicketkeeper/ batsman Tevin Imlach could get his first knock of the season while Akshaya Persaud who has played a few 1st class games is also a good option.

Given the form of Leon Johnson, who hit 189 not out a few rounds ago, Barnwell who hit a ton in that same match along with the likes of Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Vishaul Singh, Anthony Bramble and Reifer, all have been in good batting form; Guyana will be looking to pile on the runs or chase a big total over the next few days.

Also, in Round 7 Pride

Newly accredited CWI Level 1 coach Rayborn Gonsalves

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THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020