Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_06_18_2020

THURSDAY 18th June, 2020

' No.106033

‘Valid votes only’

–– APNU+AFC maintains GECOM can calculate only valid votes to arrive at credible results

–– points to Representation of the People Act SEE STORIES ON PAGES 02,03 &12

…as Lindeners ramp up protest

Coalition supporters began protesting in Linden, on Wednesday, urging GECOM to declare only valid votes to determine the winner of the March 2, 2020 elections (Naomi Marshall photo)

Man arrested after threat to Gov’t, supporters ….several high-powered weapons seized

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COVID-19 curfew extended

…but gov’t announces phased re-opening

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Elderly woman found murdered in 08 Corentyne home PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 18, 2020

CEO to submit report today …Gov’t commissioners submitted that GECOM should not declare results using contaminated votes

By Svetlana Marshall In keeping with Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act, Chapter 1:03 , the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield is expected to submit his report to the Elections Commission today to pave the way for the long awaited declaration of the results for the General and Regional Elections held last March.

With a 13:00hrs deadline in place for the submission of that report, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), chaired by Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, is expected to meet shortly after for deliberation before a declaration is made.

The pending declaration has been a matter of grave dispute with increasing calls by the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) and

their supporters for the results to be declared solely on valid votes cast. While the National Recount indicates that People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) won the Elections by a 15,000 vote margin; well over 250,000 votes have been reportedly compromised due to a long list of irregularities and cases of voter impersonation. And while the GECOM Chair has said that these are serious allegations that ought to be investigated; such, she said, is not a matter for the Elections Commission but rather an Elections Court in keeping with Article 163 of the Constitution.

Ahead of the GECOM Chair’s decision to have the report compiled using the data garnered during the National Recount, the Government nominated Commissioners had made a strong case for the elections to be

GECOM Commissioner, Vincent Alexander

nullified due to the plethora of irregularities and cases of voter impersonation – death and migrant voters. “The daunting question which has to be answered is how these maladies can be addressed to ensure: I. Every voters vote is counted; and II. The value of the voters’ vote is not devalued by the inclusion in the count of invalid votes…In view of

the unascertainability of the assignment of the actual affected ballots, the only remedy seems to be to return to ground zero in an attempt to negate the impact of such ballots and provide the right to those whose ballots were wrongfully excluded," Elections Commissioner Vincent Alexander said as he made a case for the annulment of the elections.

Alexander had received the support of Elections Commissioners Charles Corbin and Desmond Trotman. According to Alexander, fresh election is the most prudent remedy is av-

enue to taken to ensure ‘impartiality and fairness’ as is required by the Constitution.

Justice Singh, in rejecting the submission made

by Alexander, had maintained that the issues that arose during the recount are matters for which the High Court had exclusive jurisdiction as set out in Article 163 of the Constitution. But the Government-nominated Commissioners have said that the Elections Commission had wide ranging powers under Article 162 and Section 22 of the Elections Law (Amendment) Act. Article 162 states: “The Election Commission shall issue such instructions and take such action as appear to it necessary or expedient to ensure impartiality, fairness and compliance with the provisions of this Constitution or any Act of Parliament on the part of persons exercising powers or preforming duties connected with or related to the matters aforesaid.”

Against this backdrop, Alexander rejected the contention that Article 163 of the Constitution supersedes

Article 162. “[Article] 163 clearly speaks to pre and post electoral matters with the jurisdiction for pre electoral matters sitting clearly within the jurisdiction of GECOM. The determination of the count, be it a recount under the Representation of the People Act or recount “so called” under Article 162 of the Constitution and Section 22 of the Elections Laws (Amendment) Act as articulated in Order 60 of 2020 is clearly within GECOM’s jurisdiction. This vested authority has also been tested and reaffirmed by cases across the Commonwealth,” Alexander submitted.

NULLIFICATION This push to have the Elections nullified was based on his premise that no voter should be disenfranchised and most importantly only validate votes should be counted. “The reality is that any voter whose vote is not counted would have been subjected to disenfranchisement and a breach of his or her fundamental right which the Constitution protects and which the election provides opportunity for him or her to exercise; and an opportunity for him or her realise that entitlement,” he posited.

Alexander added: “On the other hand the country or votes, the validity of which cannot be ascertained in Parliament to nullifying or reducing the value of the valid vote cast and bringing into question the intent of the election, which is to allow the individual voters to equally input the process and to collectively determine the outcome.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 18, 2020

‘Valid votes only’ –– APNU+AFC maintains GECOM can only calculate to arrive at credible results –– points to Representation of the People Act

By Lisa Hamilton The APNU+AFC coalition has put forward that in the handing over of the Chief Elections Officer’s (CEOs) report today, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) must declare only valid votes as doing otherwise would be in contrast to the law.

Section 96 of the Representation of the Peoples Act states: “The Chief Election Officer shall calculate the total number of valid votes of electors which have been cast for each list of candidates and thereupon shall ascertain the result of the election in accordance with sections 97 and 98. 97.”

This was the reminder of APNU+AFC Election Agent, Joseph Harmon in a public statement on Wednesday, ahead of the CEO’s report expected to be handed over by 13:00 hours today.

There has been much debate both nationally and amongst Commissioners about how the Election’s body should legally treat with the elections which political parties and local and international elections observers have acknowledged was impacted by some amount of irregularities and anomalies.

Elections Observer Missions (EOMs) have noted such instances of irregularities but, like the main Opposition party, do not believe

that these are of magnitude to impact the outcome of the elections which has put the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) in the lead.

Meanwhile, the APNU+AFC, responsible for bringing to the Commission’s attention the majority of the cases, has argued that the cases of irregularities, anomalies and voter impersonation are not only of sufficient magnitude but place the credibility of the elections at risk and must be corrected by the Commission responsible for credible elections.

When the CEO submitted his report on June 13, he noted that, undoubtedly, cases

impersonation and more than 2,000 anomalies which were verified by the Commission.

The CEO also stated that the presence of these cases hinders him from determining that the elections were credible. He concluded that the election: “... clearly does not appear to satisfy the criteria of impartiality, fairness, and compliance with provisions of the Constitution and the ROPA Cap 1:03.” In presenting his party’s case on Wednesday, Harmon reminded that GECOM has been presented with irrefutable proof of the existence of fraud during the elections which cannot be discredited.

APNU+AFC Election Agent, Joseph Harmon

The Guyana Elections Commission

of irregularities, anomalies and voter impersonation were present in the elections. He outlined 4,864 cases of voter

“We provided all this information to GECOM asking for them to investigate and pronounce on these issues

which were a part of the Electoral body’s own records.

GECOM investigated and were provided with independent proof of our claims by the Commissioner of Police.

We have written more than 25 letters to the Elections Commission on these matters and these matters are confirmed in the Chief Elections Officer’s report to the Guyana Elections Commission concerning our contention of fraud,” Harmon said.

He therefore reminded the public that the GECOM Chair, on Tuesday, had di-

rected that the CEO submit his report, which highlighted these cases of fraud, for the declaration of the elections.

The Chair had stated: “Pursuant to Article 177 (2) (b) of the Constitution and Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act Chapter 1:03, you are hereby requested to prepare and submit your report by 13:00hrs on 18th June, 2020 using the results of the recount for consideration by the Commission.”

Harmon said that, in such a case, the CEO must be guided by Section 96 of the

Representation of the Peoples Act which directs that the CEO shall calculate the number of valid votes cast by electors in a given election.

He said that it is GECOM’s responsibility to declare only valid votes in an election compromised by fraud.

Harmon asserted: “We are saying that the Chief Elections Officer, given his own report to the commission and the subsequent request of the Chairman, must use only the votes that had all supporting statutory documents in the ballot boxes when they were recounted. These, by law, are the only valid votes in a clearly tainted process.

Impure and illegal votes cannot be used to arrive and valid votes and legal results.”

He said that his party awaits the declaration of GECOM and remains optimistic about a favorable outcome which fairly, credibly and legally represents the will of the people.

On Wednesday evening, President David Granger also met with senior officials of the APNU+AFC coalition at State House for a little over an hour. The officials offered no comment to the media upon their exit. Even so, as Guyana’s elections nears a conclusion, the APNU+AFC has all citizens of Guyana to maintain restraint as they await the declaration of the Elections Commission.

PAHO: COVID-19 has impacted the operation of health services for NCDs

Services for the prevention and treatment of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) have been critically affected since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Region of the Americas, according to a survey conducted by the Pan American Health Organization/ World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO).

The virtual rapid assessment of service delivery for NCDs during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Americas, completed by 158 countries around the world, including 28 member states of PAHO, during a four-week period in May, confirmed that the pandemic has had a global impact and that the disruption of routine health services poses a threat to the health of people living with noncommunicable chronic diseases.

“This situation is very troubling because it puts people liv-

ing with NCDs at greater risk of becoming critically ill or dying if they have COVID-19,” said Anselm Hennis, Director of the Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health at PAHO, during a media teleconference organized by the NCD Alliance, the Healthy Latin America Coalition, and Mexico Salud-Hable.

When the pandemic began, routine health services were reorganized or interrupted and many stopped providing care to people in treatment for cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes, among others.

Many of the health workers who usually provide this kind of care were reassigned to the COVID-19 response. Treatment and care for these people must continue, Dr. Hennis said. “Countries should seek innovative ways to ensure continuity while at the same time addressing COVID-19”.

Before COVID-19, 81% of all deaths in the Americas were due to NCDs. An estimated 62 million people in the Americas are living with diabetes and 1.2 million in Latin America and the Caribbean are living with cancer. Around a quarter of people in the Americas have a chronic disease and are at greater risk of becoming critically ill or dying if they are infected with COVID-19. At the end of May, the Director of PAHO, Carissa F. Etienne, warned that failure to provide care for NCDs during the pandemic could lead to “a parallel epidemic of preventable deaths” in people with chronic diseases.

Limited access to services Outpatient services were partially interrupted in 18 surveyed countries (64%), two countries (7%) closed their NCD services completely, and in seven countries (25%) they

have remained open. These disruptions have affected all types of care for people with NCDs, but more so for diabetes, hypertension, dental care, and rehabilitation services.

The main reasons cited for disruption of NCD services include cancellation of elective care services (58%, 14/24), clinical staff being reassigned to COVID response (50%, 12/24), and patients not presenting (50%, 12/24).

REASSIGNMENT OF STAFF In the majority (89%) of countries in the Americas that responded to the survey, ministry of health staff designated to work on NCD services have been partially or totally redirected to work on the COVID-19 response.

Postponement of screening programs (e.g., for breast and cervical cancer) has also been widespread (43% of countries),

in accordance with WHO’s initial recommendation to minimize non-urgent care in health facilities during the pandemic.

The most common reasons for interrupting or reducing services were: cancellation of scheduled treatments, reduced availability of public transportation, fear of visiting health care centers, and staff shortages due to reassignments to support the COVID-19 response. Also, some countries experienced disruptions in their supply chains and faced challenges in the distribution of drugs and health products, all of which has affected patients’ access to services.

ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FOR CONTINUITY OF CARE The encouraging conclusion of the study was that most countries have adopted alternative strategies to en-

sure that the most vulnerable people continue to receive treatment for NCDs. Among the countries that reported disruption of services, 61% are now using telemedicine (technical assistance by telephone or digital media) to replace in-person consultations; 70% report triaging patients and prioritizing care; 57% have adopted novel dispensing for NCD medicines, and 52% have redirected patients to alternative locations. “These disruptions will probably have an impact on health outcomes for these vulnerable populations,” said Dr. Hennis, who urged “greater efforts to ensure that NCDs are included in national COVID-19 response plans and to ensure safe methods for providing essential clinical care to people living with NCDs during the pandemic.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 18, 2020

Rayshard Brooks shooting: US policeman faces murder charge (BBC) A police officer who fatally shot Rayshard Brooks, a black man killed last week in Atlanta, will be charged with murder and assault, officials say.

The other officer involved plans to testify as a witness in the case, the Fulton County District Attorney said in a news conference on Wednesday.

The decision comes in the wake of nationwide pro-

tests over the deaths of black Americans in police custody.

Lawmakers in Washington are currently debating new police reform laws.

Garrett Rolfe, who has already been fired from the Atlanta police force, will face 11 charges related to Mr Brooks' death.

Officer Devin Brosnan, who was also present for the arrest, will be charged with assault for standing on Mr

Brooks' shoulder as he lay dying.

Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard said that this was the ninth time that an Atlanta police officer had been prosecuted for homicide.

He added that he believed it was the first time a police officer had offered to testify against a member of his unit.

Mr Rolfe conducted a sobriety test on Mr Brooks in the car park

India-China clash: Diplomats 'strongly protest' over border clashes (BBC) The Indian and Chinese foreign ministers have exchanged protests over clashes in a disputed Himalayan border area which led to the deaths of at least 20 Indian troops.

India's Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said China tried to erect a structure inside Indian territory, while China's Wang Yi said Indian troops attacked first.

But in a phone call both men promised not to escalate the situation.

It was the first deadly clash at the disputed border for at least 45 years.

Soldiers reportedly brawled with sticks and bats but no shots were fired.

China has not released casualty figures. Unconfirmed reports in Indian media say at least 40 Chinese

Thursday, June 18, 2020 - 02:30 hrs &14:30 hrs

soldiers died. Some Indian soldiers are still believed to be missing.

Earlier Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Indian deaths "will not be in vain" and that India would be "proud that our soldiers died fighting the Chinese" in the clash in the Ladakh region on Monday.

Addressing the confrontation for the first time in a televised address on Wednesday, he said: "India wants peace but when provoked, India is capable of giving a fitting reply, be it any kind of situation."

What did the two diplomats say?

An Indian government statement following the phone conversation said that Chinese troops had tried to put up a structure on the Indian side of the de facto border, the Line of Actual Control

(LAC), in the strategically important Galwan Valley.

It described this as "premeditated and planned action that was directly responsible for the resulting violence and casualties" and urged China to "take corrective steps".

The statement concluded that neither side would take action to escalate matters.

Meanwhile a Chinese statement quoted Mr Wang as saying: "China again expresses strong protest to India and demands the Indian side launches a thorough investigation... and stop all provocative actions to ensure the same things do not happen again."

"Both sides should resolve the dispute through dialogue, and keep the border safe and tranquil," he added.

WHAT HAPPENED? The fighting occurred in

the precipitous, rocky terrain of the Galwan Valley.

Indian media say soldiers engaged in direct hand-tohand combat, with some "beaten to death". During the fight, one newspaper reported, others fell or were pushed into a river.

The Indian army initially said a colonel and two soldiers had died. It later said that "17 Indian troops who were critically injured in the line of duty" had died from their injuries, taking the "total that were killed in action to 20".

"I understand that some [further] Indian soldiers went missing. The Indian side is still working to release them from Chinese custody," defence analyst Ajai Shukla told the BBC. Indian forces appear to have been massively outnumbered by Chinese troops.

A senior Indian military official told the BBC there were 55 Indians versus 300 Chinese, who he described as "the Death Squad".

"They hit our boys on the head with metal batons wrapped in barbed wire.

Our boys fought with bare hands," the officer, who did not want to be named, said.

His account, which could

not be verified, tallies with other reports in the Indian media detailing the savagery of the combat.

The clash has provoked protests in India, with people burning Chinese flags.

China has not confirmed how many of its personnel died or were injured.

The BBC's Robin Brant in Beijing says that China has never given contemporaneous confirmation on military deaths outside of peacekeeping duties.

Our correspondent adds that on this occasion China's propagandists may not want to fan nationalist flames at home by making much of any loss, or admit to a significant and demoralising loss.

This is not the first time the two nuclear-armed neighbours have fought without conventional firearms on the border. India and China have a history of face-offs and overlapping territorial claims along the more than 3,440km (2,100 mile), poorly drawn LAC separating the two sides.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 18, 2020

Venezuela's top court ousts leaders of two opposition parties (BBC) Venezuela's Supreme Court, loyal to President Nicolás Maduro, has ousted the leaders of two key opposition parties, ahead of parliamentary elections expected this year.

The ruling put the parties in the hands of politicians accused of being shadow allies of Mr Maduro's Socialist Party.

The move is likely to fuel fears that the president is tampering with the vote, which has not yet been formally scheduled, in the crisis-hit country.

The government has not commented.

The upcoming vote will elect a new National Assembly, the only institution controlled by the opposition.

Its Speaker, Juan Guaidó, declared himself interim president last year, arguing that Mr Maduro's 2018 re-election was illegitimate.

The Supreme Court suspended and replaced the

board of directors for the Justice First party, and said it would be run by José Brito, who had been expelled from the party last year amid allegations of corruption, which he denied.

The same decision was taken against the Democratic Action, one of Venezuela's oldest parties. It will be led

by Bernabé Gutiérrez, who has been expelled for "conspiring with the regime of Nicolás Maduro," the party said in a statement quoted by Reuters news agency.

In rulings posted on Facebook, the court said the changes were part of a "necessary restructuring process."

The new leaders have not reacted, and the decisions did not impact Mr Guaidó's party.

The moves follow last week's unilateral restructuring of the country's electoral commission by the Supreme Court. Observers say the five new members - who include

Venezuela has suffered from a severe years-long political and economic crisis

Mr Gutiérrez's brother - are close to the Maduro government.

The constitution gives the National Assembly the power to appoint members of the body, which will supervise the election, but the court ruled the legislature

had failed to do so.

Mr Guaidó - who has been recognised as legitimate leader by more than 50 countries, including the US, the UK and most in Latin America and the EU - called the new commission "false" and said the opposition would not

recognise it.

The EU said the recent decisions "reduce the democratic space in the country" while US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had said the appointment of a new commission showed that Mr Maduro was manipulating

the constitution.

Speaking on state TV on Tuesday, President Maduro said: "We have a golden opportunity to change the National Assembly. [The opposition] used it to call for a military invasion and steal our assets abroad."

Some four million people have fled Venezuela since 2015, according to the United Nations, amid a severe years-long political and economic crisis. The oil-rich country suffers from high unemployment and shortages of food and medicine, and hundreds of thousands of people are said to be in need of humanitarian aid.

There are also concerns about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The government has confirmed over 3,000 cases and around 30 deaths but human rights groups say the true figures are much higher.

IDB lends T&T US$50 million for housing and urban renewal (TRINIDAD GUARDIAN) The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a US$50 million (TT$338 million) loan to improve the living conditions of low-income households and invest in urban spaces.

A statement from the Planning Ministry said this initiative will result in sites being upgraded from Sangre Grande to Diego Martin, urban regeneration in both Portof-Spain and Scarborough and the strengthening of the housing sector.

The initiative will also directly

support more than 3,500 households to affordably improve their housing conditions with a special focus on assisting low-income families, the ministry added.

The Urban Upgrading and Revitalisation Program is part of the Government’s strategy to foster more sustainable development and is directly aligned with the Vision 2030 National Development Strategy for Trinidad and Tobago under Theme III, Putting People First; Nurturing our Greatest Asset.

The programme is the fourth successive IDB-financed housing

and urban development operation in T&T and it includes several elements among them the incorporation of green-building and infrastructure technologies, which will see climate change adaptation and mitigation features included.

An urban regeneration element will also promote the transformation of urban spaces with an emphasis on encouraging sustainable use and increasing their aesthetic attractiveness and resilience, the ministry said.

Another element, it added, will result in households being linked

with potential private finance opportunities to better their housing conditions.

The IDB’s very first housing project in T&T was in 1968 and from the 1990s onwards support to this sector has seen over 18,000 families benefit from our work with the Government, said Rocío Medina-Bolívar, Country Representative for the IDB Group in T&T. “We are committed to supporting the Government’s ongoing efforts to improve the lives of its citizens and transform its urban

spaces to enhance their physical quality and improve economic performance,” she added.

Similar to the most recent IDB-financed housing operation completed in 2017, the programme will be executed by the Ministry of Housing and will be done over a period of six years.

The repayment term will be 24 years with a grace period of six and a half years and an interest rate based on LIBOR (the London Inter-bank Offered Rate).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 18, 2020

Our quest for national unity THE construction of the Cummingsburg Accord gave birth to the coalition of six parties that contested two national elections in Guyana.

Multi-ethnic in composition, there was no surprise that this coalition — the A Partnership For National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), made national unity one of its main election campaign platforms. It is a coveted goal that resonated with all right-thinking Guyanese, especially those who would have lived through the racial strife of the early 1960s, and witnessed what it did in terms of damaging what was once good neighbourly relations and the psyche of this country.

As an accomplished student of history, the narrowness of the

2015 coalition victory would not have missed President David Granger’s analytical appraisal in terms of what it meant for Guyana. It explained why he continues to demonstrate, up to this day, a willingness to work with the political opposition, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), towards establishing a mechanism to work towards national unity.

His sincerity to such an end was underlined by his formation of a Ministry of Social Cohesion.

Such a development was indeed welcomed and a necessary step in seeking to advance such a seminal concept to its desired end, because of its all-importance to what could accrue for the socio-economic potential of Guyana.

Such an important proposal ought not to have been held hos-

tage as any form of condition for participation in such a critical endeavour, as the quest for national unity, especially by an opposition party whose role in finding solutions for national unity, is equally important. The importance of social cohesion cannot be over emphasised. According to the United Nations, “Fostering social cohesion is about striving for greater inclusiveness, more civic participation and creating opportunities for upward mobility…Social capital refers to trust between people and in institutions and the sense of belonging to a society.” Though we understand the inherent challenges in the concept of national cohesion, it is still a desired goal, a missing element and an absolute necessity for a country that is ethnically divided.

The realisation of this sad fact of our national life that has continued to bedevil the untapped potential of this country, from generation to generation, should be enough of a reason for national conversations to commence in earnest.

We argue, unapologetically, that the promotion of this ideal will lend to a better understanding of each of us; commence the breaking down of disdain, suspicion, and mistrust; an acceptance that as Guyanese our destinies are all intertwined, and that working together, we can move Guyana to greater heights as never before.

If we are saying that those goals cannot be achieved, then we are admitting failure even before we have started. We are saying to ourselves that we lack the will to pursue the single most important

political landmark that continues to elude us all as Guyanese.

The bottom line to this admission of self-defeat is that we will be constantly in fear of each other and bequeath a divided nation to our heirs. There are those who, for narrow and selfish ends such as political power and dominance, continue to trample upon this important national quest for social cohesion and to trivialise its necessity for the future well-being of Guyana and its people. These are unpatriotic Guyanese, who are patently selfish. But they must understand that for each day of not joining in the quest for national unity, is a day less for the final prosperity and peace of this nation.

My class position has not fundamentally changed despite my employment by the coalition government

Dear Editor,

I WRITE in response to Mr. Christopher Ram‘s letter published in the Stabroek News, edition dated June 13, 2020: captioned, “A movement once famous for its values and Rodneyite principles is now deeply involved in attempts to rig the 2020 elections.”

Please permit me the same latitude given to Mr. Ram in his missive. It is pertinent that I say upfront that I view Ram’s attack on me and the WPA in similar light as those of Freddie Kissoon and other PPP/C supporters, as hostile polemics and not criticisms. Ram has chosen to engage in “trench warfare” and I will therefore respond appropriately.

I hope that Christopher Ram will demonstrate the

moral fortitude that Kissoon is devoid of, and not use his influence in Stabroek News to deny me access to its letter pages, bearing in mind that Ram is a major shareholder in that media house. Before I continue, let me reiterate my historical position on public polemics, “I will defend anyone’s right to criticise the WPA and me once we are given the right to reply.”

Ram correctly pointed to the PNC and its Founder Leader, Mr. Forbes Burnham’s known history as it relates to rigged elections and dictatorial governance.

There is no need for me to elaborate. What Ram has failed to tell readers is that it was under the PNC/Burnham regime, aided by his buddy, Elvin McDavid, who at the time was a powerful politician in the ruling party and

government that “opened” the door for Ram to emerge as a successful businessman and now an economic power in the country. The genesis of his economic empire lies in the support he received from Mc David’s organised “state patronage”. As a result, he is a primary beneficiary of what he refers to as Burnham’s rigged elections and dictatorial rule. I make this point as a direct response to Ram’s claim that some of WPA’s political leaders, including me, have benefitted from employment in the APNU+AFC government via “jobs and perks”.

Personally, I find this kind of attack by Ram insulting, disrespectful, poisoned by class prejudice, and racist.

In his world view, an African political activist with humble origins and over 50 years of

involvement in national politics is not entitled to a decent job to gain experience in the working of state institutions.

For Ram, this is the domain of the elite, forgetting in the process the famous adage that “every cook must learn to govern.” I want to assure Ram and others like him that in my short sojourn working in a state institution, I have learned a lot, and am prepared for my departure back to the Kitty Market.

I was inclined to ignore Ram’s remark when he said “I recall driving up to Buxton to pick up Kwayana the morning he left Guyana and of his dissatisfaction with Ogunseye’s role in relation to the violence which had erupted on the lower East Coast.”

But since this comes not long after Kissoon’s resurrection of his erroneous thesis that

I was involved with “gunmen” in Buxton, I am convinced that Ram’s invoking of Kwayana is deliberate. As I have been doing whenever this issue comes up, I call on my accusers to reveal their information. I now call on Christopher Ram and again on Kissoon to publish their evidence of my involvement with the violence in Buxton and lower East Coast and anywhere in Guyana. I assure both Kissoon and Ram and media-houses that there will be no libel action on my part when they fail to provide the evidence.

I have restricted this response to matters raised in Ram’s article that are personal to me as against those of the WPA. In another letter, I will address the other issues contained in the column that is more related to the party.

I conclude by acknowledging Ram’s cynical “compliment” when he wrote, “Ogunseye remains committed to the romantic notion of a liberation struggle.” Yes, Mr Ram, I do. If Walter Rodney was alive and we were still engaged in that aspect of struggle, you would, no doubt, have mocked him as you now do me, for his continued participation in that form of struggle.

For your information, one of the things Rodney always did, whether in Jamaica or here, was to sound warnings against your type.

Unlike you, my class position has not fundamentally changed despite my employment by the coalition government.

Regards Tacuma Ogunseye

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 18, 2020

OP-ED

By Basil Williams, Attorney General Issue: THE issue to be determined is whether the Guyana Elections Commission may make a declaration annulling the elections held on March 2nd, 2020 on the basis that is has been plagued by irregularities and fraud.

Law: This issue can be answered in the affirmative.

The case of Mohinder Singh Gill and Anr. Vrs. Chief Election Commissioner, New Delhi & Ors. (1978) 1 SCC 405 is instructive on this issue. In this case, the Court had to determine the amplitude of powers and width of functions to be exercised by the Election Commission under Article 324 of The Constitution Of India 1949 and whether such power included the power to cancel poll in the entire constituency. The Court held answered this issue in the affirmative and stated thus: “The Chief Election commissioner has thus to pass appropriate orders on receipt of reports from the returning officer with regard to any situation arising in the course of an election and power cannot be denied to him to pass appropriate orders. More-

Annulment of elections

over, the power has to be exercised with promptitude.

Whether an order passed is wrong. arbitrary or is otherwise invalid, relates to the mode of exercising the power and does not touch upon the existence of the power in him if it is there either under the Act or the rules made in that behalf, or under Article 324(1).... The Commission is, therefore, entitled to exercise certain powers under Article 324 itself, on its own right, in an area not covered by the Acts and the rules It is clear even from section 58 and section 64A that the legislature envisaged the necessity for the cancellation of poll and ordering of repoll in particular polling stations where situation may warrant such a course. When provision is made in the Act to deal with situations arising in a particular polling stage it cannot be said that if a general situation arises whereby numerous polling stations may witness serious mal-practices affecting the purity of the electoral process, that power can be denied to the Election Commission to take an appropriate decision. The fact that a particular Chief Election Commissioner may take certain decisions unlawfully, arbitrarily or with ulterior

motive or in mala fide exercise of power, is not the test in such a case. The question

Attorney General, Basil Williams

always relates to the existence of power and not the mode of exercise of power.

Although section 58 and section 64A mention "a polling station" or "a place fixed for the poll" it may, where necessary, embrace multiple polling stations.

It is true that in exercise of powers under Article 324(1) the Election Commission cannot do something impinging upon the power of the President in making the notification under section 14 of the Act. But after the notification has been issued by the President, the entire electoral process is in the charge of the Election Com-

mission and the Commission is exclusively responsible for the conduct of the election without reference to any outside agency. We do not find any limitation in Article 324(1) from which it can be held that where the law made under Article 32 / or the relevant rules made thereunder do not provide for the mechanism of dealing with a certain extraordinary situation, the hands of the Election Commission are tied and it cannot independently decide for itself what to do in a matter relating to an election. We are clearly of opinion that the Election Commission is competent in an appropriate case to order repoll of an entire constituency where necessary. It will be an exercise of power within the ambit of its functions tinder Article 324, The submission that there is complete lack of power to make the impugned order under Article 324 is devoid of substance.”

The more recent case of Jay Shankar Pathak v The Election Commissioner No. 1801 of 2012 is also instructive. In this case, the petitioner alleged that the action of the respondent-- Elections Commission-- in cancelling the entire process of election on the allegation of use of money and horse trading

and on certain irregularity committed by the three voters during the process of casting their votes, as recommended for cancelling of the election process itself, wholly without jurisdiction and is bad.

The Court held at paras 26 and 27: “In our opinion, the Election Commission did what the Hon'ble Supreme Court expects from high functionary authority like Election Commission that, even if the law and the rules are absent even then if Election Commission comes across such a situation and he is to tackle that situation, then he should not remain with folded hands and pray to God for divine inspiration to enable him to exercise his functions and to perform his duties or to look to any external authority for the grant of powers to deal with the situations…

27. In these cases, we are of the considered opinion that the Election Commission has acted befitting to its office by taking extraordinary steps of stopping the counting promptly and stopping the result of the poll and forthwith recommended for rescinding the election notification to Her Excellency the President of India.”

Free and fair elections are the very foundation of dem-

ocratic institutions. This was stated in Rampakavi Rayappa Belagali - Vs - B.D.Jatti & Others reported in 1970 (3) SCC 147.

'Free and fair elections are the very foundation of democratic institutions and just as it is said that justice must not only be done, but must also seem to be done; similarly, elections should not only be fairly and properly held, but also seem to be so conducted as to inspire confidence in the mind of the electors that everything has been done above board and has been done to ensure free elections.'

In light of the foregoing, it is respectfully submitted that the Guyana Elections Commissioner, in the execution of their duties to ensure free and fair elections that yield results that are a true reflection of the will of the people, may exercise the power to order the annulment of elections in the face of anomalies, irregularities and fraud. To ignore evidence of corruption and proceed with a declaration would be to undermine the integrity of the Commission and erode public confidence in the electoral process.

'Guyanese Critic' disrespectful to persons of African heritage Dear Editor, IKEMBA condemns the recent widely circulated statements by Social Media commentator, Mr. Mikhail Rodrigues, who is more popularly recognized by his alias, “Guyanese Critic”.

Mr. Rodrigues made several disparaging, reprehensible and distasteful remarks with regard to persons of African Heritage, which this organisation considers to be inciting racial prejudice and grossly disrespectful to persons of African heritage.

We wish to caution Mr. Rodrigues to desist from making such ill-informed, vile and irresponsible comments, and ask of him an immediate apology. He has made several public statements subsequent to his utterances, all of which does not hint a single shred of remorse. Instead, he chooses to dance around the issue suggesting he was "taken out of context", cannot clarify his intent, but rather, uses his

self-inflamed ego to suggest he is the victim of some conspiracy.

What conspiracy is there in persons of African heritage standing firmly against race hate and prejudice? What conspiracy is there in a people standing resolutely to say "we will not be disrespected", and demanding better?

Mr. Rodrigues, just like our colonizers, refuses to apologize because, inherent in his apology, would have to be an admission of wrongdoing. That is the real reason he stops short of apologizing, but we will not stop short of demanding same.

We call on the Ethnic Relations Commission to take appropriate action against Mr. Rodrigues, who himself suggested that his utterances were indeed serious beyond its distastefully intended comical delivery. He said, “They ain’t got nothing about wha I talk is a joke, it might come over like a joke”.

It is our view that Mr.

Rodrigues has abdicated the responsibility that follows his freedom of expression and we join the several Guyanese already calling for a boycott of the “Guyanese Critic”.

Persons of African heritage are neither gullible nor illiterate as suggested by Mr. Rodrigues, but rather resilient and pioneers of many of the world’s greatest inventions.

The institutional and systematic underdevelopment of persons of African heritage is a crime punishable by international law and not a badge of disgrace and shame.

IKEMBA stands firm to its commitment and advocacy for reparatory justice.

Regards Shaquelle V Williams Communication Officer IKEMBA

8

Elderly woman found murdered in Corentyne home THE body of Chandarie Budhoo, popularly known as ‘Aunty Dayo’, 82, and of Lot 83 Tain Settlement, East Berbice Corentyne, was discovered on Wednesday morning by a helper when she went to check on the woman.

According to Liloutie Samaroo, called ‘Devika’, she showed up as she does every day at around 07:30hrs only to find the gate locked and ‘Aunty Dayo’ not in the rocking chair waiting to greet her as she enters. After several unanswered calls, Samaroo decided to enter the yard and noticed the backdoor open. She called out again several times, but when she entered the house and noticed the house ransacked she decided to retreat and raised an alarm.

“Me see one set a plastic bags packup on the floor in the kitchen and everything tumble up all over so me call the boys wha did passing and when them go in them see she on the ground tie up by she hands and feet”. The woman continued with tears streaming down her face that she immediately began screaming and asked the neighbours to call the police.

The pensioner was found clad in her sleep wear with her hands and feet bound with pieces of cloth, blood oozing from her nose and what appears to be strangulation marks on her neck.

The entire house was ran-

The home of the elderly woman Deceased: Chandarie Budhoo

sacked and several bags were packed with kitchen utensils that the attacker/s left behind. A side door and the door to the upper flat were also broken. Up to press time it was unclear what perpetrators carted off.

Ashton Deonarine, a nephew of the deceased, recalled that his aunt lived alone. She was beaten and relieved of cash and jewelry, previously, but never reported the matter to the police, out of fear.

“When I received the message, I went to the Whim Police Station and informed them; afterwards they began their investigation.

When they were removing her body I saw her hands and feet tied with a cloth, and what appears to be a towel wrapped around her neck”.

Police sources have confirmed two persons were detained for questioning, a 21- year-old and a 31-year-old as the investigations continue. The incident left many elderly residents in the community feeling uneasy and fearful. A resident and friend of the victim, Rena Outar, told the Guyana Chronicle her last chat with her friend was on Tuesday afternoon when she visited her and they sat on the bench by the gate “gaffing”.

Another friend of Budhoo, Willomena Shields, said that she felt saddened over the killing and hoped the Police can bring the persons responsible to face justice. “She was so friendly and loving, imagine when them was doing that to her, how she so quiet, you couldn’t even hear her scream. She nah deserve that what them do. If them want rob she, fine tek what them want and leave her, but fuh kill she like this. Them just heartless. The poor old lady don’t trouble no one”. The body was removed by undertakers and is presently at the Ramoo’s funeral home awaiting an autopsy.

Investigations are ongoing.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday June 18, 2020

Sir Shridath hails GECOM chair for ‘marrying law to democracy’ REVERED Guyanese Diplomat, Sir Shridath Ramphal, has commended Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, for marrying “law to democracy” in directing that a declaration be made on the elections.

In a statement on Wednesday, Sir Ramphal applauded Justice Singh for “elevating the rule of law above all other considerations”. On Tuesday, Singh had asked Guyana’s Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, to prepare a report in keeping with Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act, Chapter 1:03.

The report is expected today and is a move that effectively paves the way for the official declaration of the election results by Justice Singh.

Meanwhile, Sir Ramphal said that the CARICOM Report on the recount of the votes of the March 2, General and Regional Elections, is more than a milestone in democracy in Guyana but is “a landmark in democratic ethics throughout CARICOM”.

He reminded that CARICOM has established itself as “the most legitimate interlocutors” in Guyana’s situation, even as the Region has a long-standing tradition of respect for the will of the people expressed through free and fair elections.

“The CARICOM scrutineers have gilded that pledge, and the Chairman of GECOM, in respecting the le-

Caretaker - Lilowtie Samaroo

galities their report ordained, has married law to democracy,” Sir Ramphal said.

“The outcome of the Guyana General Election 2020 must be an example -- not only in Guyana but regionally and worldwide --- of the strength of law and democracy.”

At the beginning of June, Sir Ramphal had urged citizens not to allow the country to slip into chaos as the elections near an end.

“I plead with all my fellow Guyanese not to allow our motherland to descend into the darkness of denial of the rule of law and regularity,” Sir Shridath had said in a terse statement. He further urged: “As Guyanese, we owe it to ourselves, to the Caribbean Community, which we have helped to bring to life, and to the wider global community whose respect we have earned as an enlightened democratic State, not to debase ourselves by descent into the pit of lawlessness.”

The power of the populace Dear Editor, OVER the years I have always heard the WPA's account of the events leading to the death of Walter Rodney. Fortunately, while studying abroad, I also had the opportunity to read the account of the accused assassin.

It was quite eye opening to see that upon his death bed he continued to stick to his account of the events and emphatically stated that the explosion was an accident.

Given the recent accidental explosions that have resulted in the death of military personnel who were involved in handling of explosive material, I was reminded of this gap in our military's capabilities.

One can only imagine how much more vulnerable our military was in the time of Walter Rodney.

The question does however remain as to why such an educated and charismatic leader would need to resort to such violent means to accomplish his goals. If the support of the populace exists, change will eventually come when the populace really desires such a change.

The recent events in North America is a reminder of the power of the populace.

Best regards, Mr. Jamil Changlee Chairman The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 18, 2020

Three more person recover from COVID-19 -Health authorities advise against self-medicating

AS the fight against the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues, health authorities continue to record mixed developments, with the past 24 hours producing positive developments in the form of three successful battles against the disease and no new case.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, said that three more persons recovered from the disease and were medically cleared within the past 24 hours. Those persons joined 99 others who have already recovered from the deadly disease.

After recording 12 new cases on Tuesday, the country went 24 hours without a new case, even though authorities tested 11 persons between Tuesday and Wednesday. The total number of tests done so far, is 2,006 and of that number, 1,835 were negative and 171 were positive.

The total number of positive cases have since decreased to just 57 active cases, after 102 persons recovered and 12 persons lost their lives.

“I plead with you to make those guidelines an important part of your daily routine so that our cases do not keep increasing,” said Dr. Persaud, in a virtual COVID-19 update, on Wednesday.

This message is of critical importance to parents, teachers and other auxiliary staff, who are being advised to do their part in ensuring that students, who returned to school to prepare for exams,

are safe.

“Covid-19 is serious business and just a mere glimpse of the trend in our Region and beyond provides

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud

you with the dismal picture.

“Please remember that there is no cure for COVID-19, so self-medicating is not an option if you have symptoms of the disease. We ask that you seek medical attention by contacting the nearest health facility so that the essential care and treatment can be provided,” Dr. Persaud advised.

Health authorities here continue to work towards strengthening the healthcare system to respond to COVID-19 on a long-term basis. The potential and existing activities are part of a plan to have a comprehensive COVID-19 health network, whereby patients across the country’s 10 administrative regions will be able to access these services.

Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) is still the epicentre of the disease, and there are a number of com-

munities outside of Georgetown which have recorded cases.

Among communities on the East Coast Demerara (ECD) where cases have been recorded are: Atlantic Gardens, Friendship, Golden Grove, Good Hope, Lusignan, Plaisance, and Strathspey, while among those on the East Bank Demerara (EBD) are: Diamond, Grove, Land of Canaan, Providence, and Timehri.

Health authorities are also placing emphasis on the four hinterland regions, especially now that three of them have recorded cases of COVID-19.

EPICENTRE OF THE AMERICAS The need for surveillance in those regions is also important, because Guyana’s South American neighbour, Brazil, is now rated as the COVID-19 epicentre of the Americas.

“We continue to plead with the residents of Regions One, Six, Seven, Eight and Nine to remain on high alert, recognising that our neighbours, Brazil, Venezuela and Suriname, are reporting new cases,” said Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Karen Boyle, in a recent report.

“Residents of Region Seven, with the new cases in Venezuela, and the upsurge in your region, your vulnerability is increased. We are calling on the Toshaos and other authorities to ensure that residents do not cross borders, and that persons from those other countries are not entering your commu-

nity. Community members must report any migrant entering your community, and anyone who has signs and symptoms and immediately bring this to the attention of the health authorities,” Dr. Boyle advised.

Dr. Persaud, in his report on Wednesday said the public health ministry will continue to monitor mining communities, and advise miners to follow the existing guidelines.

The message is not only for the miners within the hinterland region, but for those who are at home on the coastland and have plans of returning. “Please remember that you cannot provide for your family if you are sick”, the CMO said.

As is evident, COVID-19 remains a serious issue, not just here in Guyana, but globally as well; and, according to global statistics, there are 7.9 million cases of COVID-19, with over 434,000 deaths. And, with no approved treatment or cure, there is no assurance that persons will survive after contracting the disease. In the absence of approved medications, governments and authorities across the world have employed a number of preventive measures to contain the spread of the disease.

CDC on standby to support regions impacted by heavy rainfall, flooding THE Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has mobilised resources, and is on standby to offer support to the Mahaica-Berbice (Region Five), East Berbice- Corentyne (Region Six) and Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo (Region Nine) regions, which have been experiencing adverse effects of the heavy rainfall over the past few days.

At this time, Region Nine is the most severely affected, with flooding in several communities and several others are on the watch list for possible evacuation. According to the Town Clerk of Lethem, Ms. Keisha Vincent, the level of the Takutu River is rapidly increasing and has inundated the bridge between Lethem and the Tabatinga Housing Scheme.

She noted that flood waters in the village is estimated to be between four to five feet high and 15 households have been directly affected.

Meanwhile, the Lethem to Hiawa Village road and the surroundings of the Lethem Market have been submerged and residents

of Mango Grove are on standby to be evacuated if floodwaters continue to rise. Additionally, the inundation of the Manari Bridge has resulted in large vehicles being prohibited from entry to Lethem until the water recedes, while small trucks and pedestrians are being asked to detour. In Region Six, reports have indicated that 30 households have been affected in Number 47 Village, 40 in Number 19 Village and 60 in Swamp Area, Rose Hall.

The Regional Chairpersons are monitoring the situation in their respective regions and are in contact with the CDC. Residents who are experiencing flooding during this period can contact the National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS) 24-Hour Hotline Service on (592) 623-1700 and 600-7500 for assistance. Residents are also being asked to pay heed to flood warnings issued by the Hydrometerological Office and to take all preventative measures.

10

Man arrested after threat to Gov’t, supporters ….several high-powered weapons seized

Twenty Six-year-old Jermaine Kingston

TWENTY SIX-year-old Jermaine Kingston was, on Wednesday afternoon, arrested by the Police Major Crimes Unit after a video of him singing and making threats to the government and its supporters went viral on social media.

At the time of the threat, the man was also displaying several high-powered and small arms in a vehicle which the police said belonged to a private firm. Kingston is also

has since been informed that, up to late last evening, the police were still trying to ascertain if the weapons had the requisite permits, in terms of licence and if the man who was arrested yesterday was lawfully authorised to have them in his possession.

One senior police source said that speaking on the matter would be difficult for him as the Commissioner of Police himself was handling the matter and was expected

A screen-grab of the video which the man posted

said to be working with the company.

“Following the circulation of the video above on social media today, in which a cache of firearms was on display, and also in which threats of violence were made, the Guyana Police Force promptly commenced a thorough investigation. So far, investigators have arrested a 26-year-old male and seized a number of firearms belonging to a security firm. A further update will follow,” stated the Guyana Police Force, on Wednesday, in a press statement.

The Guyana Chronicle

to issue an updated press statement. Up to press time, that updated statement was not available to the press and or the public. The video sought to send threats directly to the coalition government and its supporters and sought to suggest that if they do not give up the elections, then the guys would be used to force them out of office.

The Guyana Elections Commission has not yet made a formal declaration but a number of media houses and the PPP/C itself have been announcing that they have won the elections.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday June 18, 2020

Consumers facing woes over purchasing ‘used’ cellphone numbers

IN 2015, brothers Devon and Kenrick O’ Connor inadvertently found themselves on the wrong side of the law, when they were arrested and accused of murder, spending five days in lock-up before the dust settled and it was revealed that it was actually a misunderstanding over a reused cell phone number.

As it turned out, the men had recently purchased a cell phone number, but what they were never told by the telecommunications provider was that the cell phone number they purchased had been previously owned. In their case, the previous owner of the cell number was a murder victim whose phone was stolen during a robbery.

Like the O’ Connor brothers many consumers have experienced very unpleasant situations after purchasing previously-owned cell phone numbers, without being informed by the service providers that the numbers were previously owned.

“It has happened to me three times in a row,” shared consumer Tevin Banger. He further explained that: “It first happened to me a year ago. Now, I recently bought a [cell number] and I’m receiving threats from private calls ever so often,” Over this past weekend, a social media post from 2018, made by Niaomi Williams, made the rounds, with many finding funny the heated words she had for a telecommunications company, after she was accused of stealing someone’s cell phone, when she purchased what turned out to be a previously-used cell phone number.

“They would call from different numbers leaving threats for me,” Williams told the Guyana Chronicle.

“I knew I purchased my number; I didn’t steal from anyone, so, out of anger, I resorted to making a very disrespectful post on Facebook towards the company.”

Williams said she kept the number for six months but eventually decided to give it up, as she could no longer take the torment. Her opinion was that telecommunications companies should be made to divulge to consumers when a cell number has had a previous owner.

The practice of “recycling” or reselling previously-owned cell phone numbers to new users, after they’ve

In 2015 brothers Anthony O’Connor (left) and Kenrick, were arrested and accused of murder because they bought a previously-owned cell phone number (Kaieteur News photo)

expired from the previous user, is one practised by both of Guyana’s two major telecommunications companies – Digicel and GTT. However the situation is not limited to Guyana, and is practised by other service providers all across the world.

When purchasing a new cell phone number, consumers are issued with a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM card) which is assigned the cell phone number. Though the telecommunications companies do not recycle the SIM card, once it becomes inactive the cell phone number is up for grabs.

“The recycling process is necessary since there are limited number ranges available.

Therefore Digicel has to find a balance between managing the number ranges allocated to it while ensuring there is a long enough period before a SIM is recycled,” Communications Manager for Digicel, Vidya Sanichara explained, in an invited comment.

At Digicel, once a number has had no top-up activity for over 150 days, it becomes inactive and is made available for recycling; this still applies even if the number is still being utilised to make and receive calls.

However, as an added feature, for a fee of $900, consumers can activate a life extension for a further 180 days.

Though companies do not inform consumers that the cell phone number purchased could be passed on to another

owner if disconnected, the “Terms and Conditions” contract issued by the telecommunications companies, when consumers purchase a SIM, usually state that “the telephone number and SIM allocated to you remain our property”.

The Digicel contract also further states that “on disconnection the telephone number associated with the SIM will be lost”.

At GTT, Public Relations Officer, Jasmin Harris, said that the company gives customers up to six months.

“A number can be reissued to a customer if it has not been used for a minimum of six months,” Harris said in a statement.

Some consumers however believe that they should, at least, be informed that they are purchasing a number that was previously owned by someone else, given the implications that could emanate from the situation.

With cell phone numbers, more often than not, becoming linked to consumers’ personal accounts such as Whatsapp, Facebook, and email, as well as financial accounts such as Amazon and Paypal, consumers are becoming more and more worried about whose hands their personal information could end up in.

Though the cell phone number would have changed to someone else, consumers’ personal accounts can still continue to be attached to the cell phone number and

it becomes easy for the new owner to even lock previous owners out of their accounts.

Popular Linden TV host, Lester Glen, said that when his number was recycled he went as far as reaching out to the new owner of his number and buying the person a new number, just to get back his number.

In addition to having his number reassigned, Glen has also been on the receiving end of a previously owned cell number, and he did not feel comfortable with the kind of personal information he was receiving about the previous owner of his new number.

“About 2 years ago I bought a GTT SIM card, and a lot of personal information came to the Whatsapp, even Facebook messenger. I got all the information for the person. I was like what I get myself involved in. I didn’t keep the number because I don’t want people’s stuff,” Glen said.

West Coast mom, Priya Persaud, recently bought a cell number for her daughter to receive school work due to school closures brought on

by COVID-19 regulations.

She was not happy when persons started to call and message her seven-year-old child, thinking she was the previous owner.

“The teachers started this Whatsapp group to send school work, so a month ago I bought her a number. People calling all sorts of hours in the night. Imagine some weird overseas number was messaging at 4 in the morning,” Persaud shared of her experience.

Marvin Alexander shared that he is currently blocked from activating Whatsapp on a cell number he paid for, as the previous owner is still using it. Whatsapp enables users to “lock” their profiles with a Personal Identification Number (PIN), so even if another person gets the number new owners cannot access the Whatsapp without that PIN. Public Relations Officer of the Competitions and Consumers Affairs Commission, Allison Parker, said that the matter is one that would fall under the jurisdiction of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC).

Emails to the PUC for a comment on the situation had not been responded to up to press time.

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 18, 2020

ERC warns ‘Critic’ over racist remarks MIKHAIL Rodrigues, popularly known as the ‘Guyanese Critic', has walked aw ay w ith on ly b ein g “sternly cautioned” and having to apologise following a meeting on Tuesday with the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) over “insensitive, unethical and anti-Guyanese” statements he made in a social media post last Monday.

In a statement issued by the ERC, the commission said that, “restitution is not always of paramount concern”, and as such Rodrigues was sternly cautioned that any recurrence of his irresponsible remarks will warrant prosecution against him by the commission for his conduct.

“Mr. Rodrigues has accepted his wrongdoings and

it is in light of this that he offered a public apology. He has also made an undertaking to the commission to do all that is necessary under his platform to promote amity,” the statement said.

However, some are not pleased, and believe the ERC has dealt too lightly with the matter, given the severity of Rodrigues behavior in the video.

“It’s a low down dirty shame and a slap in the face of women and members of the black community,” expressed social media personality, Melissa Atwell, who were among a number of persons who had protested outside of Rodrigues’ South Ruimveldt home last Tuesday.

Among those joining Atwell were former gov-

Mikhail Rodrigues, known as the Guyanese Critic, outside his South Ruimveldt home as persons protested racist remarks he made last Monday (Tamica Garnett photo)

ernment minister, Simona Broomes, local gospel singer, Kester D; social media personality, Mondale Smith, and former Miss Guyana Universe, Melissa Payne.

With approximately 145,000 followers, on his “Guyanese Critic” Facebook page, Rodrigues, who is of African and Portuguese ethnicity, used this platform

last Monday to post a video where he descended into stating that the people of African descent were afraid of reading and of gaining knowledge as he referenced fictional, racist, animated character “Uncle Ruckus”, from the adult cartoon “Boondocks”.

As of last Wednesday, notwithstanding massive backlash over the statements, the video remained on the Guyanese Critic page.

Under the Representation of the People Act, Chapter 1:03 and the Racial Hostility Act, Chapter 23:01, it is a criminal offence for anyone to incite racial hatred or violence against any person or segment of a society. Convictions can see offenders being fined $100,000 together with two years imprisonment for offences under the Act, and

fines of up to $500,000 together with a jail sentence of up to seven years for offences under the Racial Hostility Act. “It is imperative that Guyanese understand the seriousness of exciting any form of hate. The Ethnic Relations Commission encourages the understanding and acceptance of diversity in all aspects of national life as we aim to eliminate the issue of racial and religious profanity. Irrespective of the differences in our beliefs, ethos and culture, we are and continue to be “One People, One Nation and One Destiny”,” the ERC statement further said.

Phased reopening of country begins today THE National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) has announced a six-phase reopening of Guyana with Phase One commencing today.

The NCTF said in a release on Wednesday that while the current curfew of 6pm to 6am will remain in effect for Phase One in all administrative regions until July 2, the non-curfew measures will be lifted in Regions Five (Mahaica –Berbice) and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni). These regions, to date, have not been affected by COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the updated

COVID-19 emergency measures allows 90 minutes of exercise for citizens, Monday to Friday from 6am to 6pm in open public spaces.

It has also resulted in hardware, plumbing and electrical stores being allowed to operate from 6am to 5pm and all food establishments, including street vendors, being permitted to operate takeout and delivery services from 6am to 5pm.

However, there will continue to be no dine-in services at these locations.

Additionally, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) is now

classified as an essential service. This is especially necessary for the timely opening and closing of sluices, which is critical at this time of regular heavy rainfall.

Regarding public transport, operators are reminded that they must continue to operate at 50 per cent passenger capacity. In general, social -distancing rules and the wearing of face masks must be maintained.

Added to this, bars are to remain closed; no contact or team sport is allowed; gatherings of more than five persons remain prohibited and the stay-at-home order

GTT customers can access bills via email

THE Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) continues update its services to ensure protection of its customers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company announced, on Tuesday, that its customers can now access bills via email. This convenient option would also allow customers to know their correct balances and prevent unwanted disruption in service. GTT’s

PR Manager, Jasmine Harris, said, “We are consistently doing what we can, to make life easier for our customers, especially during these uncertain times.”

“We are thrilled to provide this option to customers to facilitate faster and easier bill access. This option is in keeping with our quest to honor the environment and support the global call right now to follow protocols that speak to the limitation of move-

ment, care when touching surfaces, and the limitation of in-person transactions,” Harris added.

“In order to receive their bills quickly and safely each month, all an interested customer needs to do is register for the service online via GTT’s Online Chat,” Harris explained. Customers can also sign up at https:// bit.ly/30Lsnc7 for this service.

they are essential work-

and for the 90-minute daily

“Persons are only per-

ers, for essential services,

exercise allowance,” the

mitted to leave home if

emergency medical care

NCTF stated.

remains in effect.

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday June 18, 2020

‘Count only valid votes’ …coalition Linden supporters open protest over elections results …demand that GECOM declare only valid votes

By Naomi Marshall SUPPORTERS of the ‘A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change’ (APNU+AFC) coalition protested in front of the Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM’s) Mackenzie office, on Wednesday, demanding that only credible votes of the March 2 elections be declared.

The protest which was led by former Member of Parliament, Jermaine Figueira, heard chants like “FRAUD IS FRAUD;” “COUNT ONLY VALID VOTES,” and “REGION 10 WILL NOT ACCEPT FRAUDULENT RESULTS,” being shouted by the peaceful protesters.

In a brief statement, Figueira stated that Guyana’s democracy along with the will of Guyanese people was at stake, and, as such, GECOM has a constitutional responsibility to ensure that the electoral process provides credible results and moreover to ensure that only valid votes cast at Guyana’s March 2 Regional and General Elections are tabulated for any declaration which is to be made.

Figueira said, “we are saying to GECOM who is responsible for manning the affairs of this elections, to ensure that democracy in Guyana is preserved, to ensure that the will of Guyanese is not trampled upon and to ensure that only valid votes are recorded so that democracy will reign, so that the true will of the people will be expressed in the validity of the votes cast.”

The former MP highlighted that during the recount it was observed that 49 of the ballot boxes were without GECOM’s statutory documents that would gave validity to the ballots in the boxes. He also pointed out that evidence was provided to confirm that thousands of impersonations of dead persons and persons that were not in the country on Election Day were done. “GECOM cannot tabulate all of the ballots cast to make a determination when bona fide evidence suggest that fraud would have taken place and in order to correct that… only the valid votes are a true

representation of the will of the people and the will of the people must not be on what is considered reasonably credible,” he added.

Figueira called on Guyana’s Chief Election Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, to “follow the Law and honour his statutory and constitutional obligation by only using the valid votes cast in the Guyana’s 2020 Election to determine the final result.

A young supporter of the

want the valid votes counted.”

Meanwhile, Representative of the APNU+AFC coalition, Douglas Gittens told Guyana Chronicle that Guyanese have a right to free and fair elections with credible results, and, as such, Linden people are only prepared to accept fair results, adding that the protests will continue until credible results are declared.

“Mr. Lowenfield has to clearly state to all Guyanese that he has used credible num-

Scenes from Wednesday’s protest

right by going out and vote on March 2, and, as such, GECOM owes them nothing less than the declaration of credible results.

The young woman noted that young people want their voices to be heard and their voices are at stake “if any fraud is allowed to be swept under the carpet.”

On June 13, 2020, Lowenfield submitted his report on the National Recount to the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, and the six Elections Commissioners.

The Report which comprised of a tabulation of the votes recounted during a peri-

and the Representation of the People Act. However, on June 16, 2020, Lowenfield, was ordered

by Justice Singh to prepare a report in keeping with Section 96 of the Representation of the Act, Chapter 1:03, a move that effectively paves the way for the official declaration of the Election results, and in

Scenes from Wednesday’s protest

APNU+AFC coalition, Devin Sears, expressed to this newspaper that he, along with the other supporters, will only respect a declaration where only the valid votes cast are used to determine the results. Sears said, “we respect GECOM’s process and everything, we have been very patient but the fact is that at this stage we only

bers to come up with a final figure. Until he does that we are not accepting those results and we are prepared to come out on the streets to ensure that those rights to fair results are fulfilled,” said Gittens.

Twenty-one-year-old protester, Kady Sears noted that many young Guyanese including herself made a decision to exercise their democratic

Twenty one-year-old protester, Kady Sears, (left) along with other APNU+AFC protesters on Wednesday

Young supporter of the APNU+AFC coalition, Devin Sears, (Right) during the protest

od of 34 days (May 6-June 8), and a Summary of Observation Reports for each of the 10 Electoral Districts, pointed to 4,864 cases of voter impersonation and more than 2,000 anomalies that have impacted well over 200,000 votes across the 10 Electoral Districts.

In each of the Observation Reports, Lowenfield established that due to the anomalies and instances of voter impersonation, the General and Regional Elections held on March 2 did not satisfy the criteria of impartiality, fairness and compliance with the Constitution

keeping with the Order that had triggered the National Recount of the ballots cast at the elections held on March 2.

This judgement was made following submissions made by the Government and Opposition-nominated Elections Commissioners on whether GECOM should nullify the elections due to the anomalies and cases of electoral fraud or use the data contained in the CEO’s National Recount Report to declare the results of the General and Regional Elections held last March.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 18, 2020

COVID-19 measures extended; 90 minutes of exercise permitted funeral homes; gas stations; postal and shipping services; operation, inspection, repair and maintenance of essential services including vehicles, vessels and aircraft and traffic signal maintenance and more.

Previously, while opera-

By Lisa Hamilton GUYANESE will now be permitted 90 minutes of exercise from Monday to Friday only, in parks, on roads, at the seawall, on beaches and at rivers and creeks as the country slightly relaxes its COVID-19 emergency measures.

Even so, the majority of all the other measures remain and have been extended to July 2, 2020.

In a media release on Wednesday, the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) stated that the Order was updated pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2)(b) of the Directive by the President, given under the Public Health Ordinance, Cap. 145.

The existing curfew remains between the hours of 6:00pm and 6:00am and, unless otherwise provided for in the Order, every person shall remain in the confines of his or her home and its

yard space.

The changes noticed by the Guyana Chronicle, which coincide with the 90 minutes of exercised allowed, can be found under the list of restricted activities.

Areas no longer on this list include pools, creeks, beach or rivers. Even so, the Order does list “any other social activity” as being prohibited and notes too that “no water sports or recreational activities shall be allowed on any river, creek, beach and internal waters.”

Meanwhile, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority has been added to the list of essential services as the country is already well into the May-June rainy season.

Beauty salons and barbershops have been added to the list of services which may be open between 6:00 am to 5:00 pm each day.

They join banks and other financial institutions; food stores, services and markets;

tors of services not on this list were ordered to close their operations unless their employees can work exclusively from home, the option of operating through delivery or curbside pick-up has been added.

Previous measures per-

taining to preferential treatment for healthcare workers, social-distancing and physical-distancing protocols, religious worship, domestic travel, international air travel and testing for COVID-19, remain.

Any person who fails to

comply with any of these measures commits an offence under section 152 of the Public Health Ordinance and is liable on summary conviction to the penalty provided under that section.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 18, 2020

Regional central bank governors to discuss publicly, post-COVID FOR the first time, four regional central bank governors will take part in a joint public event that will see them discuss how the Caribbean can rebound after COVID-19.

The forum, dubbed “COVID and Economic Policy: Protecting Jobs, Businesses, and the Economy”, takes place on Thursday, June 25, 2020 at 20:00 hours and will be broadcast and livestreamed across the Caribbean.

In a release, organisers said during the 90-minute forum, the governors – Timothy Antoine of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank; Dr. Richard Byles of Bank of Jamaica; Dr. Gobind Gan-

ga of Bank of Guyana, and Central Bank of Barbados Governor, Cleviston Haynes – will tackle issues related to the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The group will engage with veteran Caribbean journalist, Julian Rogers, who will moderate the event, and they will also take questions from viewers across the region.

“COVID-19 has been a truly disruptive event,” said Governor Haynes, the host of the event. “Even as we continue to deal with the public health issues, we have to address the economic impact, which affects us all.

We’re being faced with major unemployment, curfews and shutdowns that have

brought business activity to a halt, and increased government spending on healthcare. In this forum, we want to discuss the way forward for jobs, businesses and the overall economy. I am truly delighted that my regional counterparts are sharing the platform with me for these critical discussions.

Haynes made it clear that the event will not just be for policymakers and academics.

“This crisis has affected us all. The discussion about how we recover from it has to include us all. We are inviting Caribbean people from all walks of life to not only tune in, but also to participate.”

The governor revealed that viewers from across

the region will be able to pose their questions to him and his colleagues via telephone, email, social media, and WhatsApp. “We want to hear from our citizens, their issues and their ideas. We encourage Caribbean people from Georgetown in Guyana to Kingston, Jamaica to join us.”

“COVID and Economic Policy: Protecting Jobs, Businesses, and the Economy” is the first of several online Caribbean Economic Forums the Central Bank of Barbados will be hosting this year. The event is the virtual spinoff of the in-person event the bank hosts annually.

EU observers welcome CARICOM elections report

THE European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Guyana has welcomed the report of the CARICOM Team on Guyana’s elections, which it believes reflects the position it shares.

“The report reflects the findings of the EU EOM, which in its final report concluded that voting and counting were well managed all over the country, as was the tabulation of results in nine of Guyana’s 10 regions,” the EOM said in a release on Wednesday.

It added that it expects that the Elections Com-

mission will “expeditiously conclude the electoral process” in accordance with the recount data and in keeping with the gazetted Order No. 60 of 2020 and its addendum.

The EU EOM had presented its final report on Guyana’s General and Regional Elections, noting several shortcomings by the GECOM; political parties and other stakeholders on June 5. The report was handed over by EU Ambassador to Guyana, Fernando Ponz Cantó, to Chair of GECOM, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday June 18, 2020

Int’l Day of Yoga to be observed Sunday Lisa Hamilton

THE High Commission of India in collaboration with the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) in Georgetown will be celebrating the sixth International Day of Yoga on June 21, 2020, online.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle recently, Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. K. J. Srinivasa said that in Guyana’s unique position of being caught between the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 elections, many persons may feel overwhelmed.

However, he pointed out that yoga is a system of holistic living which can improve the lives of persons both mentally and physically. The high commissioner hopes that the observance of the International Day of Yoga this year will not be a one-off event, but will expose Guyanese to the opportunities that can come from the discipline.

Yoga has its roots in Indian tradition and culture and its techniques are widely used for meeting changing health care needs. It focuses on bringing harmony between mind and body and promotes healthy living.

In December 2014, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming June 21, the longest day in the northern hemisphere, as International Day of Yoga.

“Yoga is not a religious practice, anyone can participate and it’s not just for the physical well-being, but also the mental well-being,” the high commissioner said.

He noted that yoga can help persons overcome non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, stress, depression and high blood pressure. This is achieved by calming the mind and encouraging a healthy vegetarian diet and regular exercise.

“What I’ve observed in people is that when they do yoga, the levels of concentration increase,” Dr. Srinivasa said. “I would suggest you try it. Just 10 minutes every day, switch off everything, no stimulus such as phones, stay in one corner of your house and just close your eyes and leave the mind free and just see the effect after a couple of weeks of where your mind goes. You start thinking positively.”

International Day of Yoga will be streamed on social media accounts of the Indian High Commission and SVCC, Georgetown, on June 21. Persons hoping to participate from their homes can utilise their yoga mats or improvise with materials such as a similarly

thick bed sheet, mat or carpet.

Leading up to the day, the High Commission of India and the SVCC are organising several activities with prizes such as an Essay Competition on “Impact of Yoga in my life”; a Poster and Art Competition on “Yoga & Environment”; the Post and Wing Photo Challenge (5 days 5 postures) and video blogging competition on “My Life, My Yoga.”

Meanwhile, a week of online activities relating to lectures on the importance of yoga in the present-day situation by

prominent leaders of various organisations will be broadcast live on the same social media accounts.

The high commissioner stated: “COVID-19 won’t come again, so make use of this time, learn something beneficial for yourself. What I have seen persons do in this lockdown is binge- watching tv, Netflix and Youtube --I’m not saying that’s wrong, but it’s hurting your eyes, it’s hurting your concentration… but this practice of yoga will make you more active.”

Guyanese and members of the diplomatic corps turned out in their numbers to observe International Yoga Day back in 2018

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Indian High Commis sioner to Guyana, Dr. K. J. Srinivasa

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday June 18, 2020

PSC pleased with GECOM’s decision

Lisa Hamilton THE Private Sector Commission (PSC) has stated that it believes democracy has prevailed in the decision of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chair to direct that a final report for the elections declaration be prepared.

The directive was given to Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield who is expected to submit his report to GECOM Chair Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, today.

The PSC stated in a release on Wednesday that the results of the national recount point to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) as the winners and such must be declared.

“The Private Sector Commission is gratified that democracy has prevailed and

that the people’s voice has been heard and acknowledged, protected by the constitution which governs our country,” the release stated.

The PSC said that it looks forward to the swearing in of PPP/C presidential candidate, Dr. Irfaan Mohammed Ali and recognition of the decision by President David Granger.

It stated: “The Private Sector Commission calls upon the PPP/C, the APNU+AFC and all of the contesting political parties to ensure that their respective supporters recognise and accept the results of the elections and remain calm, peaceful and, now, join hands together to collectively meet the enormous economic, political and COVID-19 challenges to move our country forward.”

City youth killed in motorbike crash

POLICE are currently investigating the fatal accident at Delph Avenue, Campbellville, which claimed the life of an 18-year-old motorcyclist on Tuesday afternoon.

Dead is Elijah Ballard of Meadow Brook Gardens, Georgetown, who was the rider of motorcycle CF 4865.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that on Tuesday, around 14:00 hours, Ballard was proceeding north on Delph Avenue, at an allegedly fast rate, when he collided with motorcar HC 1527, which failed to stop at an intersection.

As a result of the impact, Ballard was flung off of his motorcycle, which resulted in him sustaining severe injuries.

He was picked up in an unconscious state and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he died while receiving treatment. The driver of the mo-

DEAD: Elijah Ballard

torcar, who is a taxi driver, was arrested and subjected to the breathalyser test, which he tested negative.

The man is in police custody assisting with the investigation. Meanwhile, Ballard’s family is calling for justice and for the police to conduct a proper investigation. Ballard was described as a hardworking and loving young man.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 18, 2020

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UEFA tournaments to ...

TURN FROM PAGE 25

out tournament, in northern Spain between August 21 and 30.

Competitions were suspended in March because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

UEFA also confirmed that all 12 original host cities will stage matches in the delayed Euro 2020 finals.

That competition will now start on June 11 2021.

The outstanding play-off matches will be staged during the international windows starting on October 8 and November 12, respectively.

The club competitions will be played behind closed doors as it stands, but Aleksander Ceferin, the association’s president, did not discount the reintroduction of fans.

“A month ago I couldn’t even answer if we can play the competition - now we will play, hopefully,” he said.

“We haven’t decided about ‘no spectators or spectators’ yet. We will assess the situation at the beginning of July then we will see

what the situation will be. It would be incompetent for us to decide in advance about a situation that is so unsure at this moment.”

The Champions League will resume with the second-leg of the remaining last 16 games played on August 7 and 8 - Manchester City have yet to play their home leg against Real Madrid, Chelsea are away at Bayern Munich, Juventus are home to Lyon and Napoli are at Barcelona. UEFA said it has yet to decide whether to host the matches at the home grounds or at a neutral venue.

The subsequent knockout rounds will be single-leg affairs and will be hosted in Lisbon between August 12 and 23. The final has been scheduled for August 23 in the Portuguese capital.

Istanbul, originally appointed to stage the 2020 final, will now host the 2021 final.

The Europa League will resume from August 10. The remaining last 16 games will be played on August 5 and 6.

UEFA said: “A decision will be made in due course on whether these matches, for which the first leg has already been played, will be staged at the home team’s venue or in Germany.

“Inter Milan v Getafe and Sevilla v Roma, whose first leg was also postponed, will be played as a single leg at a venue to be confirmed.”

Gdansk, the original host for the final, will now stage next year’s climax.

The Women’s Champions League, where Arsenal and Glasgow City have already reached the last eight, will be held in Bilbao and San Sebastian between August 21 and 30. The final will be in San Sebastian on August 30.

UEFA added: “The finals of the coming years will take place in Gothenburg (2021), Turin (2022) and Eindhoven (2023) as originally planned.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 18, 2020

T20 World Cup not ‘feasible’ in 2020 – PCB Chair (ESPNCricinfo) - PCB chairman Ehsan Mani believes it is not “feasible” to host the men’s T20 World Cup in Australia in 2020, and that the tournament is likely to be “deferred” by a year. A final decision on the matter is likely in the next “threefour” weeks.

Mani becomes the second senior member sitting on the ICC Board in as many days this week to say that the T20 World Cup, scheduled between October 18 and November 16 in Australia, is unlikely to go ahead this year because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Tuesday, Earl Eddings, Cricket Australia (CA) chairman, said that it would be “unrealistic” and “very, very difficult” to expect the event to go ahead as planned, considering the number of infections that were still “spiking” in some of the 16 participating countries.

“The biggest challenge in Australia - although Australia and New Zealand they have controlled COVID-19 - their governments are very cautious,” Mani said at a virtual media briefing yesterday. “If it is played this year they will likely insist it happens in a bio-bubble.

“Like with the Pakistan team in England, teams come, stay in a hotel, with no crowds.

This is okay for one or two teams but when 12-16 teams play in a T20 tournament, it becomes an impossible thing.

I don’t think it is feasible today that there is any ICC event in 2020.”

executive Manu Sawhney as ex-officio members.

The F&CA committee decides and allocates budgets for each of the world events for both men’s and women’s cricket and also looks after

work on their own calendars, the ICC Board has already met virtually a few times over the last two months to discuss contingency planning for key world events which also include the women’s ODI World

Ehsan Mani is currently the ICC’s head of finance and commercial affairs (Harry How/Getty Images)

Apart from the ICC Board, Mani and Eddings also sit on the global cricket body’s second-most influential wing, the Finance & Commercial Affairs committee. Mani is the F&CA president while Eddings is one of six members on the panel, which also has ICC chairman Shashank Manohar and chief

the distribution of money that members get annually from world events,. That has been one of the main concerns for the ICC and has contributed to the body continuing to delay officially postponing the men’s T20 World Cup this year.

With members needing clarity on the event in order to

Cup, scheduled in New Zealand for February-March next year. The Board met last week and is scheduled to do so again on June 25.

The ICC is keen to utlise 2022 - in which no ICC event is currently scheduled - within the current events cycle that stretches until the 2023

men’s ODI World Cup. India is scheduled to host that event as well as the 2021 men’s Twenty20 World Cup. However, CA is keen to host the 2021 edition of the event, something Eddings noted in his communication to the F&CA, contents of which were reported in the Times of India.

Eddings said that it would be “detrimental to cricket” in case Australia failed to host the T20 World Cup in October-November 2021.

He also suggested India would be fit to host the event during the same period in 2022, since it was likely the country would have fully recovered from the pandemic by then.

The BCCI is yet to make any public comment on the matter, although it is understood the Indian board is concerned about hosting two back-to-back world events in the space of six months if it were to host the men’s T20 World Cup in October-November 2022, followed by the ODI World Cup, in February-March, 2023.

“In my opinion I think (this year’s event) will probably be deferred for a year,” Mani said.

“The ICC has time because ICC events were supposed to happen in 2020, 2021 and 2023. The gap in the middle can be filled and this will be

deferred. That is where the talk is headed towards - \what event will happen first and where, those talks are happening.

“It is a big risk, God forbid, if in the middle of a big tournament a player gets an infection; the panic from that will be too much so we can’t take that risk.”

A number of stakeholders, Mani said, need to be on board, which is why a decision hasn’t been taken in haste. “Cricket boards are one stakeholder,” he said. “Another stakeholder is the broadcaster - Star is the broadcaster, they will see their position, what is better for them. Other than Full Members, associates also get money from ICC events so discussions are on as to what their priorities are.

“But you’ll see that in the next three-four weeks a decision will be taken on this. There is a conference call next week. We’ve had four-five con calls on this in the last month. Obviously a decision will have to be made about where the first event will be.

Right now, it was to be Australia, then India and then a gap of one year and then India for the World Cup. Now we have to see whether it will be Australia first, or India, to see who will host in 2022.”

Former snooker ace Willie Thorne dies at 66

(BBC) - Former snooker star and BBC commentator Willie Thorne has died at the age of 66, says World Snooker.

Thorne was diagnosed with leukaemia in March and was taken to hospital in Spain last week with dangerously low blood pressure.

He retired from professional snooker in 2001 and for many years was a respected BBC commentator.

Thorne reached two World Championship quarter-finals during his career and won the 1985 Mercantile Credit Classic.

He twice reached a world ranking of seven and spent 20 years among the top 32, before moving into a commentary career spanning more than 30 years with BBC, ITV and Sky. With snooker’s popularity soaring during the mid-1980s, Thorne featured in a group of leading players who joined Chas and Dave to perform their song Snooker Loopy, which reached number six in the UK charts in 1986.

A GoFundMe page set up to help pay for his treatment had passed £17 000 by

Tuesday afternoon, when it was disclosed he had been placed into an induced coma.

His carer, Julie O’Neill, wrote on the page yesterday: “It is with a very heavy and broken heart that I have to officially announce that at 01:55hr this morning Willie Thorne lost his battle and passed away.

“Willie went into septic shock and was not responding to any treatment so the decision was made by the hospital to turn off the machines.

“I was with him all the way to his end and reading out messages to him from people.

He passed away very peacefully and without pain, listening to his children saying they love him. That gives me some comfort in this difficult time.”

Known as Mr Maximum, Thorne was the third player to reach the landmark of 100 centuries and made a 147 in the 1987 UK Championship.

‘A MARVELLOUS SNOOKER PLAYER AND A LOVELY MAN’ Archive interview: I’d much rather play the attractive game - Willie Thorne

Born in Leicester, Thorne was a long-term friend of ex-footballer Gary Lineker and the former England and Leicester City striker said he was “deeply saddened” by the news.

Writing on social media, the Match of the Day presenter added: “One of life’s great characters. A marvellous

snooker player and a lovely man, who’s potted his final black much too soon. RIP Willie.”

Crowd favourite Ronnie O’Sullivan wrote: “Just want to say what a beautiful man, big heart, great company.

Had a week in Ireland with him I’ll never forget. Will be missed by a lot of people in

the Snooker world. RIP WT.” Former world champion Dennis Taylor, a long-standing colleague of Thorne in the commentary box, said they had “laughed our way around the world for 45 years”, adding: “RIP Great One. That was my name for him. The Great WT. Lots of love to his family.”

Willie Thorne began his professional snooker career in 1975, reaching a career-high world ranking of seven in 1987 and 1994

World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn said: “I had the pleasure of managing the Great WT as part of the Matchroom team in the 1980s. He was a larger-thanlife personality and he was a major part of the rebirth of snooker at that time. It’s so sad to hear he has passed away and our thoughts are with his family.”

Six-time world champion Steve Davis, part of Hearn’s Matchroom stable, said: “I hope you had a lovely time on the planet, Willie, and any regrets were overshadowed by the fun and games you had and the smiles you put on other people’s faces.”

Stephen Hendry, a seven-time world title winner, wrote: “Very sad news today, Willie was one of my favourite people in snooker. I know he had faults and weaknesses (we all do) but he was one of the game’s greatest ever characters, I’ll miss him.”

In 2016, Thorne was declared bankrupt after admitting borrowing £1M to fund his gambling addiction.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 18, 2020

Napoli upset Juventus on penalties for Coppa Italia

Hawkeye said that the view had never been as blocked before in more than 9 000 matches

Hawkeye apologises after goalline technology error denies Sheffield United (BBC) - The operator of the Premier League’s goalline technology system has apologised after an error denied Sheffield United a goal in their 0-0 draw at Aston Villa.

Villa goalkeeper Orjan Nyland carried Oliver Norwood’s 42nd-minute free-kick over the line.

But referee Michael Oliver did not receive a signal to indicate a goal.

“I think the goalkeeper was in the Holte End when he caught it,” said Blades boss Chris Wilder.

Hawkeye said it “unreservedly apologises”, and acknowledged that the ball had gone over the line.

The company added it was the first time such an error had occurred in more than 9 000

matches using the system.

It explained that all seven of its cameras monitoring the goal were obscured by the goalkeeper, a defender or the goalpost.

Wilder, who was seen to approach Oliver at the interval, added: “Seven cameras haven’t picked it up - the most technical league in the world - everything we see at every angle and it hasn’t seen a goal.

“We went to Tottenham last year, John Lundstram’s big toe was offside and I was hanging around in the pouring rain for 10 minutes waiting for a decision. I don’t understand why I can’t wait 10 minutes in Birmingham.

“The statement has come out and it is unprecedented, unbelievable.”

The body responsible for Premier League referees - the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) - said that video assistant referee had not intervened due to the “unique” situation of the on-field match officials not receiving a signal.

Hawkeye added that the system had been tested before the match, and was confirmed to be working by referee Oliver and his fellow officials.

The company said: “Hawkeye unreservedly apologises to the Premier League, Sheffield United and everyone affected by this incident.”

Sheffield United’s Twitter account posted two messages in response to the goalline technology failure: “Really?” and “it wasn’t work-

ing”.

And the controversy also brought an immediate Twitter response from Premier League players.

West Ham’s Declan Rice wrote: “Wait ... I thought this is what VAR was brought in for? Blatantly over the line!”

Norwich goalkeeper Tim Krul simply posted the word “Shambles”.

In what was the first Premier League match since March 9 - the season having been halted by the coronavirus pandemic - the result leaves the Blades in sixth in the Premier League, while Aston Villa remain 19th.

Before the match both sets of players took a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

UEFA tournaments to be completed in ‘final eight’ format

Benfica’s Estadio da Luz will host the Champions League final

(BBC) - This season’s Champions League and Europa League compe-

titions will be completed in August with ‘final eight’ tournaments in Lis-

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bon, Portugal and in cities across Germany.

The Women’s Champions

League will also be a knockTURN TO PAGE 23

(BBC) - Napoli held their nerve to claim a first major trophy in six seasons by beating Juventus 4-2 in a penalty shootout in the Coppa Italia final.

Arkadiusz Milik scored the winning spot-kick after Paulo Dybala had seen his first for Juve saved, before team-mate Danilo blazed the second over.

This followed a hard-fought 0-0 over 90 minutes of few chances, played behind closed doors at the Stadio Olimpico.

It gives Napoli boss Gennaro Gattuso his first major trophy as a manager.

However, for his opposite number Maurizio Sarri it is another lost piece of potential silverware.

So far in his career - which included a transformational three-year spell at Napoli that saw them regularly challenge for the title - Sarri has just last season’s Europa League to his name, from his one campaign with Chelsea.

And while his side currently top Serie A, they are far from assured of securing a ninth straight title and his first trophy on home soil, with their lead over second-placed Lazio just one point.

In line with safety protocols born from the coronavirus pandemic, Napoli had to collect the Coppa Italia trophy themselves

NAPOLI EDGE HARD-FOUGHT CONTEST With the Coppa Italia semi-final second legs and final serving as a precursor to the return of the Italian top-flight, it was clear over 90 minutes that neither side is yet fully up to speed.

There was little to truly get excited about, although Napoli’s Lorenzo Insigne did strike the post with a superb free-kick before Juve’s legendary 42-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was forced into a smart save to deny Diego Demme from close range.

Arguably the best moment of normal time came with just seconds remaining, as Buffon was forced into another decent save to parry a Nikola Maksimovic header from a corner before Eljif Elmas somehow conspired to fire his follow-up against the post.

That took us to the shootout, which Juve handed to Napoli courtesy of two initial failures.

The first spot-kick from Dybala was at a perfect height for Alex Meret to push away, while the second was woefully dispatched over the bar by Danilo.

With Insigne, Matteo Politano and Maksimovic all scoring, it left Milik to seal the success, which he did with a coolly-taken effort into the bottom corner.

GATTUSO’S TIME TO SHINE The Italian won the World Cup, Champions League and Serie A as a midfielder, but his transition to coaching has been largely underwhelming.

The closest he had previously come to silverware was in this competition in 2017 when he led AC Milan to the final but was on the receiving end of a 4-0 loss to Juve.

He replaced Carlo Ancelotti at Napoli in December with the squad in freefall and players at loggerheads with club management after refusing to take part in a week-long training camp.

But results in the league picked up in January and he has now guided the club to their first trophy since winning the Coppa Italia in 2014, setting up a potentially brighter future both for them and himself.

In keeping with this, they were also boosted earlier yesterday when all-time top scorer Dries Mertens signed a new contract until 2022.

They are way off the pace in Serie A - 24 points behind Juve in sixth place - but having come so close to a trophy in the last few seasons they will see this interrupted campaign as a success.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 18, 2020

England name 30-man training squad for West Indies (ESPNCricinfo) - Moeen Ali is in line for his first Test appearance in almost a year, while Essex’s Dan Lawrence could be given a chance to challenge for a place in England’s middle order, after both men were named in a 30-man training squad that will prepare behind closed doors ahead of next month’s Test series against West Indies.

Moeen, who was dropped after the first Test of last summer’s Ashes, opted out of England’s winter tours of New Zealand and South Africa, as well as the trip to Sri Lanka in March that was curtailed midway the opening warm-up match due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

But having indicated in April that he was “probably ready” to resume his Test career, he joined the 16 players who travelled for that Sri Lanka tour, among them his fellow spinner, Jack Leach,

whose involvement in the bio-secure Test series had been in some doubt after his bouts of illness in the winter, including a sepsis diagnosis in New Zealand.

Lawrence, meanwhile, has been given his opportunity after playing a key role in Essex’s two Championship victories in three seasons. His call-up comes off the back of an outstanding winter for England Lions in Australia, where he scored two centuries in the red-ball leg of the tour, including 125 against Australia A at Melbourne England’s first victory in an unofficial Test in Australia in seven win-less tours.

Also included in the 30man squad - which will be trimmed to nearer 20 players after the squad has played a three-day warm-up match at the Ageas Bowl, starting July 1 - are some more familiar names.

James Anderson, Jofra

Archer and Mark Wood all return after being omitted from the Sri Lanka tour due to injury. Rory Burns, England’s first-choice opener, is also back, having undergone ankle surgery after sustaining an injury playing football on the eve of the Cape Town Test.

The 30-man squad also includes a range of fast bowlers who may well challenge the incumbents given the condensed schedule, with three Tests taking place in as many weeks, and a similar itinerary in store for Pakistan’s visit in August.

Somerset’s twins, Jamie and Craig Overton, are both included, alongside Lancashire’s Saqib Mahmood, Warwickshire’s Olly Stone, and Sussex’s Ollie Robinson, who has amassed 137 wickets in the last two Championship seasons.

The Somerset all-rounder Lewis Gregory is also in the mix, having debuted for

England in the T20I series in New Zealand last year.

England’s spin ranks are supplemented by Surrey’s left-arm spinner Amar Virdi, while the selectors have also kept their wicket-keeping options wide open by including both Jonny Bairstow, who this week reiterated that he wanted his gloves back, and Gloucestershire’s James Bracey, alongside the Test incumbent Jos Buttler and Surrey’s Ben Foakes.

The squad is due to report to the Ageas Bowl on June 23, where they will they stay at the venue’s on-site hotel and practise under the guidance of a red-ball coaching group that will be led by head coach Chris Silverwood, with Graham Thorpe alongside him.

Paul Collingwood is set to take charge of England’s white-ball squad for their series against Ireland, so three further coaches have

been seconded from county cricket: Lancashire’s Glen Chapple, Gloucestershire’s Richard Dawson, and Kent’s Matthew Walker. Chris Read will also join the management team as wicket-keeping consultant, alongside Carl Hopkinson as fielding coach.

Mo Bobat, the ECB performance director, said: “The support that we’ve received from counties during our return to training phase so far has been excellent, and it’s great to be able to continue with this collaborative approach as we move into a ‘Behind Closed Doors’ training environment.

“As is the case in the current climate, things have progressed quickly, and we are very grateful to counties for allowing us to second their coaches to support our Test preparation. The larger group of players will certainly keep them busy.

“Involving Glen Chap-

ple, Richard Dawson and Matt Walker adds significant leadership strength to our coaching team, as well as their obvious technical and tactical knowledge. Similarly, Chris Read’s vast experience at the highest level will no doubt add value.

“Both Glen (Chapple) and Richard (Dawson) were involved in winter Lions activity, so it’s nice for them and the players to build on effective coaching relationships and it’s also a real positive for our domestic game that we can expose a greater number of our coaches to international cricket.”

Ed Smith, England’s national selector, added: “Everyone involved with England is delighted that cricket is returning soon, and that the players are reporting for group training in preparation for the Test series against the West Indies.”

US Open 2020: Serena Williams ‘excited’ to play in New York (BBC) - Serena Williams says she intends to play at the behind-closed-doors US Open in August and bid for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam.

The event will be held without fans in New York from August 31, despite some players voicing concerns.

But Williams, 38, said: “I really cannot wait to return to New York and play the US Open 2020.”

T h e AT P a n d W TA Tours, suspended since March because of the coronavirus pandemic, will resume in early August.

This year’s Wimbledon Championships were cancelled for the first time since 1945 as a result.

The US Open will be the first Grand Slam to take place since the pandemic, with the United States Tennis Association (USTA) saying the decision to hold it without fans was “not easy” but the “correct one”.

A number of players have questioned the decision to hold a reduced event in New York, which has been one of the epicentres

of the crisis.

“We are confident we have a plan that is safe, viable, and the right thing to do for our sport,” the USTA said.

Williams needs one more Grand Slam victory to tie Australian Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 victories.

The American has lost four major finals - including the past two at the US Open - since returning from giving birth to daughter Olympia in 2017.

“I feel the USTA will do a really good job to ensuring everything is amazing, that everything is perfect and safe,” said the six-time champion.

Williams announcing her intention to play is a boost for the event, with leading men Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic as yet non-committal. Roger Federer will not be fit after having knee surgery.

‘HISTORIC DECISION FOR TENNIS INDUSTRY AND SPORTS FANS’ More details about the

US Open were confirmed yesterday, a day after organisers said the event had been given approval by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.

As expected, Flushing Meadows will host a double tournament with the Cincinnati Open being moved to New York and staged at the Billie Jean King Tennis Centre from August 22-28.

The Grand Slam will take place immediately afterwards, although there will be no qualifying tournament like usual.

There will be no mixed doubles, junior or wheelchair events, while the men’s and women’s doubles will be reduced to 32-team competitions.

The USTA described holding the two events together in New York as a “historic decision for the tennis industry and sports fans around the world”.

US Open tournament director Stacey Allaster said: “The decision to hold the 2020 US Open without fans was not an easy one, but ultimately it was the correct one.”

HOW THE ATP, WTA TOURS WILL LOOK The new-look ATP calendar is set to resume on August 14 with the Citi Open in Washington, followed by the Cincinnati Open and US Open double-header.

A mini-European claycourt season - featuring the Masters events in Madrid and Rome - will take place the following month and culminate in the French

Open at Roland Garros on September 27.

“Our objective has been to reschedule as many tournaments as possible and salvage as much of the season as we can,” said ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi.

The ATP has not ruled out allowing a reduced number of fans at events. It expects to announce a further update on the schedule, including the season-ending Nitto ATP Finals in London,

in mid-July.

It will be followed by 19 other events across the world, including the US Open, French Open and the season-ending finals in the Chinese city of Shenzhen.

“It is currently anticipated that tournaments will be held without fans and each tournament will have a limited footprint, with players and essential personnel only,” the WTA said

GFF president donates on the occasion of World Blood Donor Day PRESIDENT of Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Wayne Forde today donated one unit of blood to the National Blood Transfusion Service as part of World Blood Donor Day observance.

The day was observed on June 14 under the theme ‘Safe Blood Save Lives’ and carried the tagline ‘Give Blood And Make The World A Healthier Place’.

Following his donation,

Forde shared a personal story highlighting the importance of giving blood: “I have had the first-hand experience of how frightening it can be for patients when they are faced with the possibility of not being able to access blood for life-saving medical procedures.

“Almost 32 years ago, I watched my aunt, who eventually passed, having to wait until family members donated blood, before she

could be treated. This can be any of us.”

Forde urged persons to be regular and voluntary blood donors saying “… you could be saving your own life.”

World Blood Donor Day is set aside to honour blood donors, to raise awareness of the importance of donating safe blood voluntarily, without being remunerated. It is believed that one unit of blood can save up to three lives.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 18, 2020

27

Estwick expects world class Test performance from Hope (CMC) – Assistant coach Roddy Estwick has urged batting star Shai Hope to rediscover his best red-ball form, if West Indies are to put pressure on England’s bowlers in next month’s three-Test series.

While Hope has set the world ablaze with his imperious form in the one-day format where he averages 52, he has noticeably struggled in the Test arena with an average of 27 belying his obvious quality.

The 26-year-old masterminded the now famous win at Leeds three years ago when he scored a hundred in both innings of the second Test but has not passed three figures since and has averaged a paltry 19.

In contrast during the same period, he has blasted eight hundreds and 13 fifties in One-Day Internationals, at an average of 57.

“He’s been outstanding in the white-ball format.

We now need to get him to transfer that form he’s carrying into red ball cricket,” Estwick told reporters.

“He hasn’t made a century in Test cricket since the back-to-back centuries at Headingley so we need Shai now.”

Hope arrived in England in 2017 with a miserly average of 17 from seven Tests

and failed again in both innings of the first Test at Birmingham in a crushing innings and 209-run defeat inside three days.

However, he produced two high-quality innings at Headingley to etch his name

into history, becoming the first-ever player to score a hundred in both innings at the venue in 127 years of first class cricket.

His first-innings 147 helped rescue West Indies from 35 for three early on

Shai Hope

the second day and propelled them to 427 all out while his second innings, an unbeaten 118, saw the Caribbean side overhaul a target of 322 on the final day.

In 33 innings since that tour, the elegant righthander has notched just three half-centuries with a best of 90 not out against minnows Zimbabwe in late 2017.

Now an entrenched member of the West Indies setup, Estwick said it was important for Hope to assume responsibility on the current tour and produce “world class performances”.

“He’s a lot more experienced, we need him to be ready. We need the batting to really click in England because if the batting clicks, it gives us a real chance with the bowling we’ve got,” stressed Estwick.

“And once we can put scores on the board we can become a lot more competitive; so Shai is very, very important to us. He knows that, he’s now one of the senior members of the group so he’s really got to stick his hand up

and give us some real worldclass performances.”

Speaking to media via Zoom from quarantine on Tuesday, Hope conceded it was a critical time to improve his form in the longest format but remained at a loss to explain why he had not excelled recently.

“Obviously we want to change that (from) around.

Red ball is actually my favourite part of the game but the runs and the stats aren’t exactly where I want them to be but I’m working towards that,” he pointed out.

“Honestly, I can’t pinpoint anything at this stage (to explain my form in Tests).

I wouldn’t say my preparation has changed, I don’t think it’s anything major when it comes to my technical side of the game.

“Obviously there are certain things you can tweak as you go along, but having said that it’s probably more of a mental thing.

Hopefully I can turn that around especially in this series and move on from there.”

Arsenal thrashed as Premier League returns (BBC) - Arsenal’s David Luiz was sent off in a performance riddled with mistakes as Manchester City secured a comfortable victory behind closed doors on the first night of the Premier League’s return.

Luiz, who came on as a first-half substitute, failed to clear the ball just before halftime and Raheem Sterling fired in City’s opener.

The defender was then sent off after pulling back Riyad Mahrez in the second half to give away a penalty, which Kevin de Bruyne coolly slotted in for City’s second.

Substitute Phil Foden netted a third for the defending champions, capitalising on a rebound from Sergio Aguero’s strike.

There was concern for City late on as Eric Garcia needed several minutes of treatment on the pitch after a nasty collision with goalkeeper Ederson, and was carried off on a stretcher.

Arsenal were second-best throughout as manager Mikel

Arteta left Alexandre Lacazette on the bench and Mesut Ozil was kept out of the extended 20-man squad.

There were bursts of energy from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Eddie Nketiah going forward in the first half but it was City who were more dangerous.

De Bruyne, Sterling and David Silva were all denied by Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno, who produced an impressive display, but it seemed inevitable City would move ahead when Luiz’s mistake gifted Sterling a chance from close range.

Victory for Pep Guardiola’s side means league leaders Liverpool remain six points away from winning the title - writing off any potential celebrations in Sunday’s Merseyside derby.

On an evening in which thousands tuned in to watch a new-look Premier League on their TV screens, players from both clubs used their platform to support the Black Lives Matter movement for

racial equality.

All players and staff took a knee immediately before kick-off, mirroring the actions of those at Villa Park in the earlier match, and the words ‘Black Lives Matter’ replaced players’ names on the back of their shirts.

After being left out of the starting line-up by Arteta, Luiz was handed his chance when he was brought on in the 23rd minute as Arsenal suffered their second injury of the match.

Pablo Mari, making just his second Premier League start for the club, followed Granit Xhaka, who was taken off on a stretcher early on.

But Luiz, prone to questionable decision-making, only confirmed his manager’s decision to leave him out initially had been for the best.

Failure to clear the ball properly led to Sterling’s opener - the ball bouncing off Luiz’s knee from De Bruyne’s pass, landing straight into the path of the City forward.

And Luiz completed a

dreadful night four minutes into the second half when he tugged Mahrez’s shirt with no intention to play the ball, giving away a penalty and receiving a red card.

De Bruyne reminds of his quality Fans were absent, players wore face masks in the dugout, there was enhanced crowd noise for television viewers and managers did post-match press conferences via Zoom.

But some things remained the same. De Bruyne was the best player on the pitch.

The Manchester City midfielder, widely regarded as one of the best in the business, reminded those watching at home of his quality with several intricate passes in the first half.

He forced the first save of the match from Leno with a curling free-kick in the first three minutes and two of his defence-splitting passes again tested the keeper’s reactions half an hour later.

It was ironic one of his poorer passes would lead to Sterling’s opener - helped

by Luiz’s poor control - but De Bruyne stamped his mark on the game even further by scoring City’s second from the spot.

He needed only 69 minutes to whet the appetite of those who feared football would not be the same on its return.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, speaking to

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Sky Sports: “We are really concerned (about Eric Garcia). He responded quite well but we have to wait. He is conscious which is a good sign. We will make another test.

“In the beginning it was a lot of energy. Everybody wanted the ball. It was not quiet. We had chances. It was important to score before halftime. I am happy with the performance of the team.”

Thursday, June 18, 2020

COMPLIMENTS OF THE XTRA ENERGY DRINK – STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 683-9500) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LT -83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ:

1) Saeed Anwar-131 (Sharjah, 1993) (2) Brian Lara-156 (Adelaide, 2005) TODAY’S QUIZ:

(1) Who is the first Pakistan player to take a One Day International hattrick?

(2) What are the best bowling figures by a WI in an ODI game against Pakistan to date??

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Arsenal thrashed as Premier League returns PAGE 27

Arsenal’s Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka (R) takes a knee during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north-west England, yesterday (Photo by Peter Powell/Pool/AFP)

England name 30-man training squad for West Indies PAGE 26

GFF president donates on the occasion of World Blood Donor Day PAGE 26 GFF president Wayne Forde donates blood in observance of World Blood Donor Day 2020

Moeen Ali wheels away in celebration (Getty Images) Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

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THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020