Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_06_29_2020

MONDAY 29th June, 2020

’ No. 106044

Concede to what, Concede to whom?

APNU+AFC Campaign Manager, Joseph Harmon

... Harmon says President would not be conceding 03 ... points to CEO’s report which gives APNU+AFC victory on valid votes PAGE

Fourteen Junior Officers have successfully completed the Junior Command and Staff Course following 13 weeks of intense training, the Guyana Defence Force has said. The course, aimed at training officers to function as Junior Commanders and Junior Staff Officers across the full spectrum of military operations, was divided into three terms and covered a number of subjects including Minor Staff Duties, Leadership Studies, Military History, Current Affairs, Management and Administration. Lieutenant Simon Gordon graduated Best Student of the course and Lieutenant Kevveon Lewis was the runner-up student while Lieutenant Robin Roger won the prize for Best Service Essay (GDF photo)

CCJ’s jurisdiction 02 Probe deepens into deadly Moruca has 58% of 13 ousted by Constitution Cummings Lodge blaze 08 active COVID-19 cases PAGE

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–– legal luminaries argue as they make case for PPP/C’s application to be refused

… suspect in custody, residents in shock

–– Police, teachers and doctors among those affected

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 29, 2020

CCJ’s jurisdiction ousted by Constitution –– legal luminaries argue as they make case for PPP/C’s application to be refused

By Svetlana Marshall

ARTICLE 177 (4) of the Constitution of Guyana and the Caribbean Court of Justice Act have undeniably ousted the jurisdiction of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) from adjudicating on any decision made by the Court of Appeal under that article, and, as such, the application by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) for special leave to appeal the Court of Appeal’s decision that the election of a President must be on the basis of valid votes, ought to be refused.

That was the main line of argument put forward by a battery of lawyers representing North Sophia voter, Eslyn David - the first named respondent in a case filed by PPP/C’s General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo and its Presidential Candidate, Irfaan Ali, before the CCJ.

Trinidad’s Senior Counsel John Jeremie Assuming jurisdiction in a case brought by David on June 18, 2020, the Court of Appeal had ordered that the words “more votes are cast” in Article 177 (2) (b) of the Constitution be interpreted to mean “more valid votes are cast” but the PPP/C wants the Appellate Court’s decision to be set aside by the CCJ. However, the legal lu-

Attorney-at-Law Mayo Robertson minaries representing David – John Jeremie SC, Roysdale Forde SC, Mayo Robertson, Keith Scotland, Timothy Affonso and Rondelle Keller – said there is no room for an appeal, even as they sought to set the record straight on the Elections Report submitted by the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield following an attempt by the PPP/C to mislead the Court.

Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde In their written submission to the CCJ, on Sunday, the lawyers from the onset indicated that the relief sought in David’s Notice of Motion for the interpretation of Article 177 (2) (b) fell squarely within the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal (CoA) as

provided in Article 177 (4).

“The wording and operation of Article 177 (4) operate as a complete bar to any appeal to the CCJ. Once the CoA has exercised its jurisdiction pursuant to Article 177 (4), its decisions are final and cannot be subject to review except by the CoA similarly exercising powers under Article 177 (4),” the lawyers submitted.

Article 177 (4) of the Constitution confers on the Court of Appeal an exclusive, original constitutional jurisdiction “to hear and determine any question as to the validity of an election of a President in so far as the question depends upon the qualification of any person for election or the interpretation of this Constitution.” In handing down its ruling on Monday (June 22), the Court of Appeal, while referenc-

ing to the Eusi Kwayana’s Application (1980), as relied upon by the parties in the case, had said that the conditions laid out in the Article are disjunctive, and therefore not dependent on each other.

The CCJ, led by its President, Justice Adrian Saunders, on Thursday (June 25) had asked the intended appellants and respondents to address four primary issues in their submissions – whether the Court of Appeal had jurisdiction to entertain the Motion filed by David; if the Court of Appeal lacked jurisdiction, what is the consequence in respect of this proposed appeal; if the Court of Appeal rightly assumed jurisdiction, what is the consequence in relation to the proposed appeal; and if the Court of Appeal rightly assumed Jurisdiction, but they exceeded their jurisdiction, what is the consequence on the proposed Appeal.

The lawyers, in addressing the issues as identified by the CCJ, said given that the decision of the Appellate Court is final as indicated in Article 177 (4), there can be no determination by the Caribbean Court even if there were errors in the application of law or excess of jurisdiction.

“The Court of Appeal is a superior court of record.

Even if the Court of Appeal exceeded its jurisdiction… the CCJ has no jurisdiction to review the Court of Appeal’s final Article 177 (4) decisions. As a consequence the intended appellant’s application for special leave ought to be dismissed,” the attorneys submitted.

They said that contrary to the submissions made by Trinidad’s Senior Counsel Douglas Mendes, who is representing Jagdeo and Ali, the Court of Appeal did not set as its primary objective the interpretation of Order 60. Order No. 60, was the legal tool used by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) in accordance with Article 162 of the Constitution and Section 22 of the Elections Law Amendment Act, to facilitate a National Recount so as to determine a final See page 9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 29, 2020

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 29, 2020

COVID (BBC) The number of confirmed coronavirus cases around the world has passed the milestone of 10 million, according to Johns Hopkins University in the US. The virus emerged in China late last year and spread across the globe. It has led to almost 500,000 deaths.

Half the world’s cases have been in the US and Europe, but Covid-19 is now rapidly growing in the Americas.

The virus is also affecting South Asia and Africa,

where it is not expected to peak until the end of July.

Outbreaks are still spreading in many parts of the world, with one million new cases recorded in the last six days.

The US has reported a total of 2.5 million cases and 125,000 deaths with Covid-19 so far - more than any other country.

US states that emerged from lockdown in recent weeks - notably in the south - have been reporting record increases in new infections.

The spike has led officials in Texas, Florida and

Cases have been rising particularly rapidly in Latin American

other states to tighten restrictions on business again.

Statistics from several countries have shown that people from black and Asian ethnic groups are more likely to be severely affected by the virus than white people.

The country with the second-highest number of recorded cases is Brazil, with a total of 1.3 million, and deaths in excess of 57,000.

Despite a wave of new infections, the state of Rio de Janeiro has said it will allow football stadiums to reopen to fans from 10 July

- initially at one-third capacity.

On Sunday China has imposed a strict lockdown near Beijing to curb a fresh outbreak. Nearly half a million people will be barred from travelling in and out of Anxin county in the province of Hebei.

In the UK - the country with the greatest number of deaths in Western Europe - the government has said it could impose its first local lockdown following a surge in new cases in the English city of Leicester.

Trump retweets video of supporter shouting ‘white power’ (BBC) US President Donald Trump retweeted a video showing one of his supporters loudly shouting “white power”.

The supporter was among a group of people taking part in a pro-Trump rally at a retirement complex in Florida.

The footage showed supporters and opponents of the president hurling abuse and swearing at one another.

Mr Trump has denied accusations that he is seeking to capitalise on racial tensions.

His spokesman says he did not hear the “white power”

Monday, 29 June, 2020 - 11:30hrs―13:00hrs

comment.

US President Donald Trump retweeted a video showing one of his supporters loudly shouting “white power”.

The supporter was among a group of people taking part in a pro-Trump rally at a retirement complex in Florida.

The footage showed supporters and opponents of the president hurling abuse and swearing at one another.

Mr Trump has denied accusations that he is seeking to capitalise on racial tensions.

His spokesman says he did not hear the “white power”

Donald Trump has previously been accused of racism during his presidential term

Tim Scott, the only black Republican in the US Senate, said in an interview with CNN on Sunday that the video was “offensive” and called on the president to remove his tweet.

“There’s no question that he should not have retweeted it and he should just take it down,” Mr Scott told the network.

White House spokesman Judd Deere said the president “did not hear the one statement made on the video” but saw “tremendous enthusiasm from his many supporters”.

The US Secretary of Health and Human Services, Alex Azar, told CNN that “neither the president, his administration nor I would do anything to be supportive of white supremacy”.

President Trump has previously faced accusations of sharing or promoting racist content. In 2017 he retweeted three inflammatory videos from a British far-right group, prompting a rebuke from then UK Prime Minister Theresa May. He was widely criticised in 2019 when he said in a tweet that four US congresswomen - Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, Ayanna Pressley and Ilhan Omar - should “go back and help fix the totally broken and crime-infested places from which they came”.

Three of the four congress-

women were born in the US and all four are US citizens.

In response to protests in recent weeks over the death of George Floyd, Trump warned on Twitter that “when the looting starts, the shooting starts” - a phrase used by Miami’s confrontational police chief Walter Headley at the height of the civil rights movement in 1967.

The line prompted Twitter to restrict the president’s tweet on the basis that it broke the platform’s rules on glorifying violence.

And Mr Trump has faced accusations of racism in recent weeks for repeatedly using the phrase “kung-flu” to describe the coronavirus. The White House has denied the president’s use of the term is racist.

“What the president does is point to the fact that the origin of the virus is China,” said White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany.

Meanwhile, a poll for CBS News suggests a majority of the US public agrees with the Black Lives Matter movement and believes protests will lead to police reforms.

Six in 10 Americans disapprove of President Trump’s handling of recent protests, according to the poll, while more than half say he has failed to show enough understanding about demonstrators’ concerns.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 29, 2020

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Deyalsingh warns bars flouting COVID-19 protocols

(TRINIDAD GUARDIAN) Just a week into the reopening of bars, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh is warning that they may have to shut them down again if operators and patrons continue to act irresponsibly.

Deyalsingh gave the warning at Saturday’s Ministry of Health virtual press conference as he referred to two “disturbing” videos circulating on social media of bars in Chaguanas and North Trinidad jampacked with patrons.

Saying this was one of the reasons the reopening of bars was among the last sectors addressed in the Government’s COVID measures, Deyalsingh said irresponsible behaviour in bars had forced many countries to reinstate lockdown measures.

“We are sadly noticing that now happening in Trinidad and Tobago, more Trinidad.”

Alluding to social media videos, he said people were in each other faces, partying.

“We are asking those bar owners and patrons to please exercise some discretion in how you use bars, how you operate bars, it is for your own good.”

However, he said as a result of the activity seen in the videos, he and Chief Medical Officer Roshan Parasram were now looking at stricter measures to manage bar operations.

“Because the free for all has the potential of taking this country back to where it was three months ago and we can’t allow that,” Deyalsingh said.

“We just heard the Minister of Finance say how many hundreds of millions of dollars that the taxpayers are spending in all of these types of relief but we can’t let one sector of the business community operate in such a way that will do two things—one, send us back to where we were three months ago, have more people unemployed, put more strain on the health care system.

“So in closing, I am asking bar owners and patrons to manage your operations.

I am asking patrons to exercise some caution but we are going to be looking, we have started already from today, to see what special regulations we can put in to manage the operations of bars and to curtail the type of behaviour we are seeing in bars, it is very disturbing.”

Noting that bar owners had advocating for their businesses to reopen citing the loss of in-

come and jobs, he said it was now disappointing to see such irresponsible behaviour.

“We don’t, as the Ministry of Health have to recommend the shutting down of bars, we don’t, but to protect the health of 1.4 million people, if bar owner and patrons keep doing this it may be something we may have to look at, to shutdown bars again.

“But we don’t want to do that we just ask people in the interest of public safety and health to behave re-

sponsibly. This is my appeal to bar owners and patrons.”

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley also separately warned bar owners that they may be shut down again by tomorrow if they do not abide by COVID-19 health regulations.

“What is going on outside of T&T is frightening. If it ever goes on like that in this country we will be in big trouble. Countries that thought that they had passed the worst and had reopened business are now closing them back,” Rowley said during Saturday’s launch of the Linear Accelerator (LINAC) wing of the St James Medical Complex.

“There are two bs and one is borders, which must be tightly managed and the other is bars, which will be closed

by Monday if the reports coming to me are the same reports that came to me last night.

People have reopened bars and are doing exactly what we asked them not to do. What is happening now is the environment to create community spread.”

Rowley said to prevent T&T from ending up like other countries, they may have to prevent people from taking a drink at bars. However, he called on bar owners and citizens to be “responsible” to preserve the low rates of COVID-19 the country has managed to achieve.

He said he will also ask the Ministry of National Security to enforce the regulations.

Nari’s owner: I can’t control crowd outside The owner of Nari’s on D Avenue in Barataria Ramsingh “Nari” Lalla has admitted that one of the videos circulating showing non-compliance with COVID-19 protocols was at his premises.

However, Lalla said Saturday that the crowd was liming outside his establishment and he had no control over them.

He said inside, his bar they observed the COVID-19 protocols. Even before COVID-19, he said people would come with their coolers and lime on the outside because they liked the ambiance. “There were crowds in other bars in Barataria and throughout Trinidad. If you talk to popular bar owners they will tell you that the

crowd is outside,” Lalla.

He said he felt his bar was being unfairly targeted. “It is a clear case of victimisation. I don’t see what I doing is different from everybody else,” he said.

Within his establishment, he said they were practicing physical distancing, proper sanitation and all the other guidelines.

“It is all about saving lives. I am not saying that the people on the outside were in compliance but I have no control outside the building.”

He said he was also not happy that social media users were commenting only on his bar and posting his photo.

BAR ASSOCIATION BOSS RESPONDS Bar Owners and Operators Association president Teron Mohan on Saturday begged Health Minister Deyalsingh not to allow the irresponsible behaviour of a few result in another nat i o n - al shutdown

of the bar in North Trinidad with the activity.

“I want the Minister to know that we condemn these actions. I have been working tirelessly

of bars.

“I would like the relevant authorities to know that the inaction, or inability, or the outright ignoring of the guidelines and law by the select few should not have an overall effect on the others who are doing what we need to be doing in accordance with the guidelines and the law,” Mohan said he was just as disturbed when he saw the video

leadi n g up to the opening and as well as we have been very meticulous to monitor crowd control, monitor persons sanitising before entering...”

He admitted he was not sure whether the owner of the bar in North Trinidad was one of his 300 members.

However, he appealed to his members and other bar oper-

ators to adhere to the health guidelines and regulations to not only ensure that their businesses remain open but to protect themselves, their customers and the country.

Mohan admitted that they have not yet been able to put a system in place to monitor the activities of various bars to ensure compliance. But he said he will be making attempts to contact Deyalsingh to offer his assistance to find a way to ensure bar owners and patrons follow the COVID-19 protocols.

He said the industry has been hard hit, with almost half of it decimated and many jobs had been lost.

“Another closure will have another big impact on the industry. Only now we are seeing some activity and even now many bar owners are not seeing the kind of activity pre-COVID-19.

Bills need to be paid. We are not seeing community spread so there’s no reason to compare us to other countries,” he said.

Some of the existing guidelines are that bars open from 8 am to 10 pm with 50 per cent occupancy, staff must wear proper personal protective equipment, patrons must sanitise before entering the establishments and tables must be spaced at six feet with no more than ten people to a table.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 29, 2020

Guyana not a colony of CARICOM

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HE recent utterances on Guyana’s elections and, by extension, its internal affairs by Barbadian Prime Minister, Mia Mottley, and Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines are a cause for concern not only in Guyana, but in the rest of the CARICOM sub-region. Ms. Mottley’s video statement on Wednesday went to places that Gonsalves did not go. She arrogated unto herself the role of judge and jury in Guyana’s elections impasse.

But more than that, she spoke as if the Guyanese people have elected her as their spokesperson and governor.

Indeed, her combative stance threatens to disrupt the amicable intra-CARICOM relations that have generally characterised the regional body. Guyana is a sovereign state bound by its own laws, flag, and constitution. While we have a shared history and culture and we share some institutions, these do not eliminate the sovereignty of member-states. It follows that member states should avoid becoming too entangled in the domestic affairs of each other.

Guyana has always recognised CARICOM’s limitation as far as the domestic affairs of member states are concerned. We have never lectured to a sister country on how to run its internal affairs or overtly and covertly interferedt in their elections. We expect the same from others. Whenever we have asked for CARICOM’s help, we have done so with the understanding that our sovereignty would be respected, and our people be treated with the respect they deserve.

It was in that spirit that President David Granger invited CARICOM to send a team to observe the recent audit of our elections.

He did not invite CARICOM to supervise or to referee our elections. He did not invite CARICOM to disrespect our courts or to instruct our elections commission on what to do. That Prime Minister Mottley has assumed the role of our de-facto Prime Minister should never be tolerated. We are forced to ask, where does she draw the authority to become so embroiled in our elections?

Guyana is not a colony of CARICOM or any other regional, global, or hemispher-

ic body. That a CARICOM leader could feel comfortable speaking to the leadership and people of a sister country in the manner that Ms. Mottley has done points to something rotten in our regional spirit. One gets the feeling that some regional leaders may have arrived at the feeling that Guyanese are of lesser value; that we could be kicked around like a political football.

Ms. Mottley’s recent remarks seem to be aimed at bolstering the PPP’Cs attempt to be declared the winner of the election based on a count that includes invalid votes.

Her studious avoidance of the Recount Order and the recent ruling of the Court of Appeal speak volumes. She repeats verbatim that party’s narrative. In that regard, she has diminished her standing as a regional stateswoman and in the process reduced CARICOM to a partisan cheerleader. That cannot be tolerated, and its time other regional leaders tell her that is not the CARICOM spirit.

Like Gonsalves, Ms. Mottley’s comments come on the eve of a big moment in the ongoing situation in Guyana. Her

statement comes on the eve of a hearing before the regional court, the CCJ. One cannot help but speculate whether her comments are not meant to prejudice those proceedings. It is that very behaviour that has been one of the reasons why the majority of CARICOM member states have not joined the CCJ. They have expressed fears of political interference by our leaders. In her handling of the current Guyana situation, Mia Mottely may have confirmed their fears.

Guyanese should not cower in the face of these attacks. Many Guyanese have taken to social media to express their outrage. It is the right thing to do.

We must let our CARICOM leaders know that Guyanese cherish their sovereignty. This publication wants to make clear that it does not support the sexist and homophobic comments that are directed at Ms. Motley. It is uncalled for.

We support vigorous protest against the ugliness that has been heaped on Guyana, but we reject personal and political abuse of all forms.

Show some leadership PPP/C Dear Editor,

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N a time of crisis a leader is expected to lead. A leader is expected to show leadership. A leader is expected to carry the weight of the Nation on his shoulders. A leader is expected to unite. A leader is expected to console; Consoler in Chief.

For over two painful decades, we saw with our own eyes all that is wrong with PPP. The victimization, the harassment, the discrimination, the trumped up treason charges, the narco-state, the extrajudicial killings, the corruption evident in many of its leaders presently in front of the courts. A party that was trusted to build a nation but rather used their position of trust and power to rob and destroy a country; Enriched themselves they did. The mansions in Pradoville are constant reminders.

This painful past must have been on the minds of the electors as they cast their ballots. How can they forget, it ended a mere five years ago. The psychological scars are very much raw. The mothers who had their sons snatched away by the hands and bullets of the phantom squad [are]still grieving. Their electoral fraudulent acts divided the nation along ethnic lines. This division is not unexpected during the time of election. What is unexpected is the depth of the ethnic chasm.

And so this is evident in our nation. This is evident on social media. This is evident in the printed media. This is evident on our streets. The racist name calling. The violence in the PPP strongholds. The misunderstanding of each other which results

in verbal and physical aggression. All are symptomatic of a divided nation. A time to demonstrate leadership in uniting a divided nation. A time to remind one and all of our national motto, “One people, one nation, one destiny.” This should be paramount for any leader under these circumstances. Healing a nation which has gone through four months of electoral, psychological and physical trauma.

Sadly, the PPP does not see it this way and we are not surprised. The’re careless about healing a nation. That’s not on their agenda. That was never on their agenda. A sniff of victory was all it took for them to show their true intent. A sniff of victory was all it took for the black books of names to come out. Sleepless nights Bishop Edghill threatened the public servants with.

And sleepless nights many did have. Sleepless nights for they were reminded of those painful 23 years; their Post Traumatic Stress Disorder brought to the fore. And even as they went to work dejected and bleary eyed, Bharrat Jagdeo reinforced the Bishop’s vindictive threats. Our first female Vice Chancellor, Professor Paloma Mohamed on their hit list. The Professor beyond reproach, apolitical and a servant of her country despised by men who are not fit enough to be ever mentioned in the same breath with her. Who are these characters? Why are they so blood thirsty? Why are they so vindictive? Why are they of the conviction that Guyana is theirs, inherited from their parents?

By now all Guyanese felt under threat. Fear compounded their sleepless nights. Fearful of the future under the PPP. Surely it should end here. Recognition that the masses have

suffered enough. Recognising that the people were tethering on the psychological brink. Sadly, this was just wishful thinking on our part for Anil Nandlall demanded to have his say. And what he said was not an empty threat. Were not veiled. Was an emotional dagger for the suffering masses who are also battling COVID-19. For this is what a PPP leader had to say. Many will have to flee the land of their birth to be rescued by America and CARICOM countries, under a PPP Government. I have paraphrased his utterance but clearly encapsulate the dastardly utterance of the man.

So, at a time when a nation needs to be united, the PPP agenda is to widen the division by seeking vengeance on innocent people who they wrongly perceived to be their political enemies. Many would not take their threats lightly. Many did not give them a vote of confidence which is evident by them resorting to massive electoral fraud. The International community would never live under a PPP regime. The International community has never lived under a PPP regime. We did. Guyanese have. Respect the choices of the electorate. If only these painful past were enumerated in those ballot boxes, I’m certain that APNU+AFC would have won by a landslide. It is time that our divided nation be united. PPP modus operandi will only widen that chasm.

Probably that is their intent.

Regards Dr. Mark Devonish

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 29, 2020

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Where even the Court of Appeal has no jurisdiction, and cannot tread, who in GECOM can?

Dear Editor,

I

refer to a front page banner spread (with inset) in Saturday June 27 edition of the Guyana Chronicle under Caption: “CEO STANDS BY REPORT ON VALID VOTES”. His critics (notably Ramkarran, SC) are not only manifestly wrong in law, but specious in their blinkered, persistently incredulous criticism of the CEO. And, even as I hold no brief for Keith Lowenfield, it is my purpose here, to, in his infallible defence, yet again, show why the critics are wrong, vexatious and specious. It is specious, because of the critics’ seeming ignorance of a most basic and fundamental principle of constitutional law: the Constitution is an organic instrument; and must be construed as a whole. Wrong, for this reason too: the general provision of article 162 MUST be read as yielding to the specificity of the constitutional prescriptions in relation to the CEO under article 172(2) (b) on matters of declaration of the results of any GRE (in this regard there is nothing special or peculiar about the 2020 GREs). And vexatious, because the criticisms are not made with any genuine, good faith intentions.

Editor, the principle or rule of constitutional construction that the Constitution, having a multiplicity of provisions (ours is of some 232 articles) in respect of any one particular subject matter (eg inter alia, general elections, GECOM, service commissions, Executive powers of President) must be construed holistically (i.e looking at the relevant, interrelated provisions as a whole, or, as one, and making sense of them) is one that is not only commonsensical and obvious, but well settled in our constitutional jurisprudence. (I, yet again refer the learned reader to the Privy Council decision in Meerabux V. AG (2005) 66 WIR 113). Yet a cricketing parlance might suffice to simplify this legalistic stuff. A cricketer’s hand, feet and eyes are all separate, but they are parts of one human body (so in constitutional parlance this one whole body is the Constitution). So, take the case of Sir Viv Richards as a batsman intending to hit a four or six (so in constitutional parlance Viv Richards hitting that four or six is a particular subject matter under consideration). The result of a six or four, requires coordination between the batsman’s hands, feet and eyes (Sir Viv’s hands, feet, eyes would in constitutional parlance be the various provisions touching and concerning that particle subject matter under consideration). Sir Viv using any one of those three, or any two combination, would not give him the result of a six or four.

And so like Viv Richards’ hand, feet, eyes coordinated resul-

tant four or six, it is just such coordinated, holistic, wholesome interpretation of articles 162 and 177 (2)(b) that gives the results in law as intended by the framers, that the CEO not be answerable to, nor subject to the directions of GECOM, or the Chair on the subject matter of the ascertainment/verification of votes in the compilation of his advice for the purpose of the declaration by the chair under article 177(2)(b). And it is no accident that article 162(1) which provides as to the functions of GECOM has the words’ “subject to the provisions of the Constitution”; and article 177(2) (b) has no such words of limitation. But for the likes of Ramkarran, S.C article 177(2)(b) must be read as if it makes no mention of the CEO! Editor, at the risk of pedantry, I again refer your readers to the specific, plain, and unambiguous words in the Constitution itself as regards the dichotomy of functions/powers between the Chair, CEO, and GECOM viz “… the chairman of the Elections Commission acting ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ADVICE OF THE CHIEF ELECTIONS OFFICER after such advice has been tendered to the Elections Commission at a duly summoned meeting” (article 177(2)(b)). I ask rhetorically: What can be plainer than that? Where is any ambiguity? It is a manifest incongruity and absurdity (bordering on rubbish) to suppose, or take a view, that in limiting and restricting the chair to act only on the CEO advice the framers/drafters of the Constitution were in the self same provision, intending (as if by some volte face) no such restriction, but were instead intending that the Chair/GECOM was to direct/instruct the CEO as to what HIS advice was to be, and then, for the Chair to act only on that!!

Again I say, the law cannot be so asinine as that! (I have written on this aspect of our 2020 GRE before; my last is “Neither the Chair, nor GECOM can direct the CEO” - GC, Wednesday, June 24, 2020). Putting it colloquially: the chair/GECOM must rubber stamp the CEOs advice. One more point of significance: by article 226(5)(ii) the framers of the Constitution not only plainly subordinated the commission’s consideration of the CEOs advice to the advice, but made his advice still “VALID IN LAW AND BINDING” if some of the commissioners tactfully (albeit misguidedly) absented themselves.

Turning briefly to the principle that the general provisions of article 162 cannot derogate from, or be used to subvert, impair, dilute, undermine or water down the specific provision/prescriptions in article 177(2)(b). Again, at the risk of being pedantic, I would only state that this common sense rule finds expression in the Latin phrase: ‘generalia specialibus non derogant’ (ie the general cannot derogate from the specific). And, on the high

The duplicity of the PPP/C Dear Editor,

R

EFERENCE is made to a very acerbic letter from Mr. Anil Nandalall continuing the very dangerous racial rhetoric about the staff makeup of the Guyana Elections Commission.

Mr. Nandalall, like so many of his other colleagues, conveniently speaks about matters like these, but it can be expected from a party whose leader is currently before the court on a charge of race-baiting.

Lest we forget this was the ethnic make-up of GECOM in 1999 Senior Managers 1999 Doodnauth Singh – Chairman Stanley Singh – CEO Ganga Persaud – Deputy Commissioner Registration Gocool Boodoo – ACEO Administration Albert Ramsaroop – Chief Accountant Arnold Depoo – Adviser to IT Department Arun Mangar – IT Manager Totaram Mohabir – Manager GECOM Stores and Purchasing What is instructive is that Doodnauth Singh later became the Attorney General under the PPP/C administration; Ganga Persaud served in several ministerial capacities; Arun Mangar became a PPP/C Commissioner and Gocool

Boodoo was a Special Adviser on Local Government.

Imagine after holding the office of Chief Elections Officer for so many years, right after his exit it was disclosed that it was Boodoo whose miscalculations in the 2006 elections cost the Alliance For Change a seat and also, he was about to repeat the feat in 2011 when Vincent Alexander nabbed him.

Guyanese must also take notice that the PPP/C, today, has turned to two Afro-Guyanese, Robeson Benn and Dr. Roger Luncheon to speak out against the so-called African dominance at GECOM. It was the same Dr. Luncheon who went to the High Court and proclaimed that no Afro-Guyanese was qualified to be an ambassador under the PPP/C, at a time when there was none serving in our overseas missions.

Could Commissioner Benn inform this nation, if any member of this present administration’s son or daughter was ever employed by GECOM? For the record, former Minister, Carolyn Burkett Rodrigues’ son worked in the I.D Card Production Department during the 2006 Regional and General Elections. So Commissioner Benn, if you are a fan of American actor Anthony Quinn, DON’T CROSS 110th STREET. Regards, Former GECOM employee

judicial authority of Lord Diplock in the Privy Council, it is a rule applicable in the interpretation of the Constitution, ours, like Trinidad and Tobago’s, being on the Westminister model (see Thomas V. Attorney General (1981) 32 WIR 375 at page 394.

Editor, I repeat, ad nauseaum, these points – (i) Elections petition cannot, in terms of our Constitution, be used to challenge the Chair’s declaration of the President based on the CEOs, advice. So, it is either that those who huff and puff about EP are ignorant of our Constitution, or being cognisant of the Constitution/statute law on the subject matter of EP, they seek by their tangled web of deceit, to entrap the CEO into abdicating his constitutional duty to ascertain valid votes only; (ii) EP or no EP, the results can only be based, under our Constitution, on, as the law, now authoritatively clarified by the court of Appeal, is: valid votes, (iii) It is not the business of the CEO to appease any party, or observer(s) or any other extra(non) constitutional actors; the CEOs solemn, sacred duty is compliance with, and obedience to the Constitution as interpreted by the CoA. I am bemused, and it would be laughable if it were not a matter of such grave importance. By a somewhat Orwellian illogicality, while the opposition (and their blinkered extra (non) constitutional actors) did not see it fit to accept the consequences of Region Four RO’s (Clairmont Migo) declaration which gave the APNU+AFC the victory, and demand the PPP/C resort to EP, they now demand that the APNU+AFC must accept the demonstrably fraudulently tainted vote-count which denies it the victory Mingo’s declaration rightly gave it, and resort to EP. They make George Orwell’s pigs in Animal Farm look like boy scouts!

One final comment about the observers/recount. Having straight-jacketed themselves by their impatient, premature conclusions about the credibility of the 2020 GREs, these extra – constitutional actors, inspite of the mountain of PPP/C-inspired fraud unearthed and exposed by the recount process, would rather persist in their delusions of credibility, rather than do the right and honourable, and decent thing, a volte face and say: “I was wrong; I could not have known of these abominations by reasons only of what I observed on the surface on election day”.

And so, it is considerations like these which makes Ramkarran’s use of the detached comments of persons like Mia Motley, Mary Robinson, Marco Rubio (!) – with him clearly a case of he who pays the piper calls the tune – as evidence in support of the persistent incredulity of his criticisms of Keith Lowenfield, not only farcical, feeble and pathetic, but inadmissible, to any informed, fair-minded person. (“Keith Lowenfield – A Runaway Train” – SN, Sunday June 28, 2020). Learned SC, the CEOs advice/report is based entirely on the evidence of the recount. You cannot pick out the duff and leave the plums; it is the evidence AS A WHOLE that determines the trueness of the verdict; the observation reports are as much part and parcel of that evidence, as the quantitative figures.

I end with this: GREs, like litigation in court, are adversarial and contentious. The judge decides as between the adversaries based only on the law (at any rate his understanding of it). I see an analogy between the CEO and a judge in civil litigation. Just like a judge, the CEO decides both questions of facts and law in his ascertainment of valid votes (where there is no judicial clarity) as regards the Presidential winner. Yes, by article 177(2) (b) itself GECOM has to consider his advice/report. But the Constitution which created GECOM has not constituted it a court of law to correct the CEO. The words “for its acceptance or rejection” would have been drafted in after “meeting” in article 177 (2) (b) if that was the intention of the framers; but there are no such words of rejection in the constitutional text. And, even the Court of Appeal has been vested with very limited and circumscribed powers to do so (I am not here concerned with elections petition in the High Court limited to seat allocation matters). Where even the Court of Appeal has no jurisdiction, and cannot tread, who in GECOM can?

Regards, Maxwell E. Edwards Attorney – at – Law (Former Magistrate)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 29, 2020

Probe deepens into deadly Cummings Lodge blaze …suspect in custody, residents in shock

By Naomi Parris RESIDENTS of Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara (ECD) are still in shock following a fire that claimed the lives of three persons – a 14-year-old boy and his parents.

On Sunday, the Guyana Chronicle revisited the scene of the fire where a cloud of sorrow was left as residents grappled with the sad reality.

They had not only witnessed the fire but the removal of the charred remains of the family from the apartment building which was reduced to ashes on Saturday night.

Forty-six-year-old, Martin Lewis, his 40-year-old wife, Beverly Miller and their 14-year-old son, Dawall Ifill lost their lives after being trapped in the burning building.

One neighbour, who lives in an apartment behind the now charred building, told the Guyana Chronicle that she was returning home from work when she saw the blaze.

The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said that, while she was not very acquainted with the now deceased family, they appeared to be very humble.

Meanwhile, another neighbour, who lives in the same apartment building, said she was at home at the time of the fire. The woman said she was inside of her home at around 17:00hrs on Saturday when she heard residents shouting “Fire! Fire!”

Upon looking through her window, the woman said she saw the fire and immediately panicked.

When contacted on Sunday afternoon, Fire Chief, Marlon Gentle told the Guyana Chronicle that the investigation into the origin of the fire was still ongoing.

massive fire was in progress in an apartment building… they immediately went into fire-fighting action, but subsequently learnt that three persons could not be accounted for,” Gentle told this newspaper.

Reports indicated that the family was living in a heav-

bodies hugging each other, but Gentle could not confirm that, at the time of the interview.

Gentle also disclosed that one person, who is a tenant of the apartment complex, is in police custody. According to the Fire Chief, there are reports of threats issued to

to be the landlord or representative of the landlord,” the fire chief explained. He confirmed that further investigation was ongoing, but the issue was being treated as suspected arson. It was reported that close to 15 persons occupied the complex, and since the building was

Police caution tape surrounding what is left of apartment complex as investigation into the deadly blaze continues (Elvin Croker photo)

On the evening of the fire, Gentle had told the Guyana Chronicle that the Guyana Fire Service responded to reports of a fire in Sixth Street Cummings, around 17:30hrs.

“Units from Campbellville and Alberttown responded and they found that a

ily grilled apartment on the lower flat of the apartment complex, which is located next to the Cummings Lodge Secondary School. The fire started in an apartment on the upper flat of the complex.

Sections of the media reported that firefighters found the

the owner of the complex and his/her representative by the tenant who is in custody.

“There were some allegations about threats because of non-payment of rent… so it was some kind of confrontation between the tenant and the person who supposed

completely destroyed, all of them have been rendered homeless.

A NEW EPIDEMIC There have been a number of fires in the past few weeks, and persons are starting to say this is a new “ep-

Fire Chief, Marlon Gentle

idemic,” while remaining equally cautious because of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Considering the upsurge in fires across the country, Gentle said persons need to be conscious of their surroundings and practise basic fire safety drills. “Some of the recent fires are basically carelessness and some involve people setting fire to buildings, but we do not want to cause an alarm…we have been having a fair share of fires since this year started,” Gentle lamented.

Just recently, a pensioner, Dhanhiram Harcharan, lost his home when a two-storey Kingston building went up in flames. And, four persons were left homeless after a fire, suspected to be electrical in origin, gutted their home at Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara, one week ago.

Early this month, a bodywork shop and at least one other building in Lusignan were completely destroyed by fire. In May, the former Morocco Hotel and another within the same compound at First Avenue at the town of Bartica were also destroyed by fire. Additionally, persons were left homeless after an early-morning fire ravaged their home at Lot B-2, Bent Street, Wortmanville, in April. As the numbers continue to climb, authorities will have to be watchful because the country recorded over 700 fires in 2019 alone.

Stabroek News seeking to obfuscate the CEO’S constitutional official functions Dear Editor,

T

HE Stabroek News June 26 story titled, “Lowenfield report seen as clear act of insubordination.” a section, of which described the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, as having flouted the Constitutional requirements; that he should only act in conformity with the laws, and that his action is a “clear act of insubordination’’, Guyana Chronicle, June 27, “CEO stands by report on valid votes’’.

For want of an appropriate description, this latest miasmic content from the Stabroek News is essential MEDIA SLEAZE, which has become the common print fare, not dissimilar, of also the other two anti-coalition newsprints. But it is wholly dishonest, opportunistic and dishonest. In fact, it has sought to highlight the fact of the GECOM Chair, instructing the CEO to prepare the statistical content that had been the numerical count for declaration.

Of course, Mr. Lowenfield did, as instructed; except that those figures were already proven fraudulent, a fact which he

had already detailed in a previous report, as is his Constitutional right and mandate. In fact, this must be one of the few occasions which such an instruction would have had to originate from the Chair, though one believes that a former CEO had detailed his being instructed to write and re-write SOPs during the tabulation process of the controversial 1997 general elections, which the current Chair, then as sitting Judge, had to vitiate.

Therefore, the issue of insubordination did not arise, since the CEO was in fact being made to carry out an instruction which had been contra to what his Constitutional order should have been. Further, it would seem that the Stabroek News by its stated trash, is in fact, suggesting that the CEO, even in light of the Appeal Court’s decision as to the definition of what “more votes cast’’ mean, which meant that he then had to obey such an Order regarding the new understanding, if not, the new meaning of Article 177(2) b of the Constitution, which meant VALID VOTES. This would have required an entirely new report to now properly reflect, not only in congruent with what

he had stated in his initial report to the Chair, but now commanded that his tabulation for declaratory purposes for the results of March 2 polls, BE ABOUT VALID VOTES. And this was, and still is, his CONSTITUTIONAL PREROGATIVE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH Article 177 (2). This has never been altered or changed, as far as is known.

So here again, is another dishonest narrative, similar to all the others which deceptively seeks to obfuscate the fact of the Court of Appeal ‘s ruling, by disingenuously CLOUDING THE FACT OF THE COURT’S RULING; WHAT IT SUBSEQUENTLY SIGNALLED FOR THE CEO, WHICH REPORTS WOULD RENDER THE FRAUDULENT NUMERICAL RECOUNT, NULL AND VOID. IT NOW HAD TO BE ABOUT VALD VOTES, AS MANDATED BY THE COURT. For such to have been disobeyed, would have been contempt, even against the laws of natural justice. And certainly, CEO Lowenfield, the professional that he is, would not have done otherwise.

Let us understand this much about the Stabroek News: It daily publishing content continues, like the other pro-opposition me-

dia, to disseminate a narrative that is dishonest in every way. This publishing house is no longer a traditional media entity; instead, it is a repository of the now misinformation and fake news. It has been stone silence on the avalanche of fraud found – this coming from a print house that had been quick to publish a page one comment which suggested ‘’rigging’’ when President Granger decided on the choice of the retd. Justice James Patterson as the then GECOM Chair.

This underlines the media fraud of what is NOW the Stabroek News. It is a dishonesty that knows no bounds as it continues to support an open assault on the integrity of the State, and its institutions, especially GECOM and the role of the CEO, WHO, AS HE HAS SO CORRECTLY DESCRIBED HIMSELF AS A CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER. For all the lies which Stabroek News HAS BEEN PEDDLING, AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO – IT CANNOT CHANGE SUCH A FACT. Regards Aditya Panday

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 29, 2020

GECOM must explain the over 100,000 invalid ballots, Stanley Ming says –– finds CEO’s final report ‘factual’

LOCAL businessman Stanley Ming has said that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) will have to explain how 100,000 invalid ballots got into boxes at the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections, since the report by Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield represents the reality of Guyana’s voting population.

Ming provided an analysis of the 2020 elections, in the face of allegations of widespread electoral fraud committed by the opposition People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C).

The gazetted national recount of the votes cast at

the March 2 polls undertaken by GECOM last month unearthed almost 7000 incidences of fraud, affecting some 200,000 votes. The cases ranged from dead to migrant voters and stuffed ballot boxes to missing statutory documents for the reconciliation of ballots.

The evidence of fraud was reported by the CEO in his report to the Commission, which had incorporated the Observation Reports from the 2,339 ballot boxes.

His final report guided by the Court of Appeal, and which contained “more valid votes cast” showed the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change

Table shows huge increases in the OLE and turnout ranging from 17% to as much as 45% in 2015 as compared to 2011 and from 32% to as much as 95% in 2020 as compared to 2011

CCJ’s jurisdiction ousted ...

From page 2

credible count.

The battery of lawyers led by Jeremie clarified that the Court of Appeal considered the Order so as to determine what a “vote” meant in the context of the Constitution and the Electoral Laws of the country. Noting that the Court could not have interpreted Article 177 (2) (b) in a vacuum, the attorneys pointed to Oliver Jones, Bennion on Statutory Interpretation and HRH Prince Ernest Augustus of Hanover (1957) in support of their arguments.

“It is submitted that this well settled approach was adopted by the Court of Appeal in its analysis of the Representation of the People Act; the Election Laws Act and Order 60 of 2020 all of which together with the Constitution itself elucidated on the meaning of the expression “vote” in Article 177 (2) (b),” David’s attorneys argued.

SEPARATE LEGAL REGIME FOR ELECTION OF THE PRESIDENT As indicated by High Court Judge, Justice Brassington Reynolds, who had formed part of the panel of judges at the Court of Appeal, David’s lawyers said there is a clear distinction between the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal as outlined in Article 177 (4) and the jurisdiction of the High Court under Article 163 with respect to the validity of the elections.

It was explained that Article 163 and the National Assembly (Validity of Elections) Act could only lead to the invalidation of a person elected to the National Assembly. The lawyers were keen on pointing out that the President does not form part of the National Assembly, and as such, the validity of the election of any person to the Office of the President cannot be determined under Article 163. Such could only be done under Article 177(4).

The attorneys also rejected Mendes’ contention that Article 177 (4) could only be invoked following the declaration of the result of the election. Such a move, they warned could lead to an absurd result with unintended consequences.

Further to that, it was submitted that the ouster clause in Article 177 (6), which is triggered after the election, clearly demonstrates why Article 177 (4) provides for questions as to validity of an election to be raised before the Chairman of GECOM declares the election of a President.

“A constitution is not interpreted to have its

provisions collide with each other, especially when that would make a mockery of both Article 177 (4) and Article 177 (6),” they submitted.

They added: “Article 177 (4) does not require a completed election of a President in order for the Court of Appeal’s jurisdiction to be invoked to interpret the Constitution particularly in relation to matters concerning the election of a President. There is simply no qualification placed on the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal other than that it must concern issues related to the election of a President. The Court of Appeal may interpret the Constitution at any time upon an application by anyone in this regard. The Court of Appeal has done so here.”

On that as the basis of their arguments, the batteries of lawyers said it is clear that there can be no appeal to the CCJ with regards to matters determined under Article 177 (4) of the Constitution, and again lobbied the CCJ to refuse the application for special leave filed by Ali and Jagdeo.

VALID VOTES AND THE CEO’S REPORT Outside of their arguments on jurisdiction and the interpretation of the Constitution, the batteries of lawyers led

by Jeremie contended that Ali and Jagdeo, through their attorneys, were dishonest in their submission to the CCJ with regards to the Chief Elections Officer’s Election Report.

Mendes, in his submissions, had contended that the CEO on June 13 had produced a report, in which he described all votes as valid votes, but this Jeremie said is far from the truth.

The contention by the intended appellants is simply “erroneous,” Jeremie and his team argued, while pointing to the fact that the Chair of GECOM, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, on June 16, had instructed the CEO to produce an Elections Report no later than June 18. That report, however, was submitted on June 23, 2020 due to legal proceedings which had effectively blocked the CEO from submitting it earlier.

Mendes, in his submission, also accused the CEO of engaging in fraudulent practices, even as he pointed fingers at the Region Four Returning Officer (RO), Clairmont Mingo; but Jeremie, in rejecting the contention, made known that the Court or any other empowered authority has not found the CEO or the Returning Officer guilty of any such illegal act.

(APNU+AFC) coalition winning the elections with a total 171,825 valid votes. The PPP/C follows with 166,343 votes, while the joined list of A New and United Guyana (ANUG), the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) and The

New Movement (TNM) together gained some 3, 348 valid votes.

Prior to the March 2 Elections, the government had continuously expressed concerns that the process was moving ahead

with a bloated Official List of Electors (OLE). The national recount had realised those fears when it was discovered that thousands of deceased and migrated See page 14

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 29, 2020

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 29, 2020

Dispelling some myths around physical abuse

MANY myths are surrounding ‘physical abuse’ also known as Domestic Violence and some of them are particularly outrageous.

Take, for instance, the one where the perpetrator pummels the victim to a pulp and then, using reverse psychology, says, “See what you made me do?” Meanwhile, the victim is lying on the floor with a fractured rib and other injuries thinking, “it’s all my fault... if I hadn’t done such and such, then this would never have happened”. That is myth number one.

If the same scenario (the reason behind the attack) was to play out in the workplace but instead of a partner it was the boss man or a colleague who upset the perpetrator, there is no way that the perpetrator would start beating up on their boss or fellow worker.

This proves that it is controlled, deliberate aggression.

Physical abuse is never acceptable under any circumstances and it is not the victim’s fault. Over time, many victims believe the myth that it is and they become further subdued, while the perpetrator continues their unacceptable behaviour; beating up on someone as if they have a God-given right.

When it comes to one individual taking advantage of another, Oprah coined two very useful phrases. She said, ‘when someone

shows you who they are the first time… believe them’ and ‘people will only do to you what you allow them to do’. Therefore, at the first hint of violence or aggression in a relationship, it should be deemed unhealthy, no ifs’ nor buts’ nor maybes’, the victim and perpetrator should part.

Children should not be raised in toxic environments such as these where they are forever living on ‘high alert’ due to systematic domestic violence or sporadic displays of aggression. How are they meant to have a sense of well-being, security and protection when they are aware that at any time, for any reason, there could be a flare-up?

Myth number two; women are the only victims. In most abusive relationships, the man is the perpetrator, but there are many cases where the woman is the one firing the blows on the man. Very seldom do men report cases of physical abuse unless it is a male on male attack. One international story saw a well-respected solicitor consistently beaten and bullied by his wife, but due to his high standing in the community, he never reported it. Eventually, she stabbed him through the heart; only then was the extent of the physical abuse revealed. The Chief Crown Prosecutor described the case as ‘a violent repressive relationship that robbed the victim of his power or ability to stop the violence’. Internation-

ally, there is a rising trend of women being jailed for domestic violence.

Myth number three; women are the only victims. Yes, this is the same myth as number two and once again women are NOT the only victims, because parents who partake in violent or aggressive relationships around their children are also victimising their children.

Even if the child is not harmed physically, he/ she can still suffer emotional and psychological damage by witnessing someone they love being distressed or abused. This can affect their self-esteem and could lead to depression.

Children could become withdrawn or, on the contrary, become violent. They will grow believing that physical abuse is the correct way to deal with problems that affect them in life. They may choose violent partners or be attracted to relationships where they are occasionally slapped around and subdued, and accept this as something normal. Exposure to domestic violence robs children of the right to develop in a safe, stable home environment; it is a violation of their rights.

Another myth is the one where a perpetrator believes the partner ‘likes’ the blows or else he/she would never have done what he/ she did to make him/her vex. Really? It’s hard to imagine anyone enjoying being knocked about, and especially by someone who is meant to love them. Then there is that classic

line that victims use to fool themselves ‘he beats me because he loves me’. That must be one crazy type of love that only a few people know about, where pain is inflicted and accepted as proof.

Maybe it helps the perpetrator to feel better about his heinous actions when he makes up excuses; ‘he/she deserves what he/she got…I had to straighten her/him out…I had to show him/her who is boss… But the truth of the matter is, no one has the authority to physically harm another, just like no adult has the right to harm a child.

In most negative situations, a person has three options that lead to a solution: option 1: you can change the situation; option 2: you can tolerate the situation; or option 3: you can move away from the situation.

Take your pick. Physical abuse should never be accepted as ‘normal’ behaviour because it is far from normal and both the perpetrators and the victims of physical abuse, need help.

You can call the Domestic Violence Unit on 225 8693 or their hotline on 640 1011.

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION

Adventists warned against political activism … President says political views expressed by members not that of the church THE Guyana Conference of Seventh-day Adventist has warned its membership against political activism, urging them to be rational, responsible, and respectful considering Guyana’s unique political culture.

In recent times, a number of Seventh-day Adventists, both locally and overseas, have been caught in the political milieu on social media and the governing body of the church spared no effort in warning the flock against such behaviours. President of the conference, Pastor Exton Clarke, in a wide-ranging statement, told the flock that the Seventh-day Adventist Church recognises the legitimate role of government in society and supports the state’s right to legislate on secular matters, but for all of its history the church

From left-right: New Treasurer of the Guyana Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists, Rovena Harrinaugth; President-- Exton Clarke; and Executive Secretary, Pastor Jumoul Sancho has embraced an apolitical “As an official body, identified with any single stance. the church has never been political movement, party

or agency. However, we are appreciative of the fact that our members have been vested with the freedom to pursue political and civil positions, identify with a political party of their choice, and participate in the voting process as a way of building society,” Clarke said in his letter to the church.

He said while “our political standing in society at every level must reflect a high value for the liberty of conscience, it must also be subject to the tenets of true Christian conduct. I think it is only fitting to remind you, that the political views expressed publicly by any member of the church must be seen as purely personal and unsolicited by the church,” Pastor Clarke noted.

He added: “I want to appeal to our general membership to refrain from irre-

sponsible political activism which can only cripple and depreciate the impact of the church in the world. As we endeavor to confront political issues in our society, let us pray earnestly for God’s wisdom to be rational, responsible, and respectful considering our unique political culture,” the President said. “In fact, our political articulations should not obscure our Christian witness nor that of the church. God is calling us to rise from the ashes of our history and embrace his destiny, as we endeavour to model the values of his kingdom, and distinguish ourselves as agents of righteousness, love, unity, justice and peace.”

The Seventh-day Adventist Church has a membership of over 60,000 persons spread across the 10 administrative regions of Guyana.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 29, 2020

Prioritise people’s –– BoG Governor basic needs encourages Region

By Lisa Hamilton

“When we are speaking about the livelihood of people, it doesn’t matter where we’re WHILE experts in the financial service looking; if it is from a social security fund or industry may rely on technical terms to ex- some emergency fund with respect to some plain the needs of their countries, especially war time or whatever, the bottom line is that during the global crisis, the average person we have to look at the livelihood of people,” does not care about these technical terms he said. but about the simple assurance that policies The governor added: “In this Region we will be put in place to meet their basic needs. still have a high level of poverty. When we talk This was the position of Governor of the about monetary, fiscal and other types of polBank of Guyana, Dr. Gobind Ganga during his icies, that doesn’t make any sense to the poor appearance on the online edition of the Carib- people and the people who are vulnerable. So, bean Economic Forum 2020 on June 25, 2020. we have to have certain measures in place to In his capacity as incoming Chairman ensure that there is sustainable relief in terms of the Regional Group of Central Bank of welfare for these people, meaning that we Governors, several questions were posed to should have the basic social security guaranGanga on matters affecting his country and tee in terms of an income to the vulnerable; the Region. to those in the informal sector that are most affected; with any situation, not just COVID. THE PEOPLE’S LANGUAGE It is an ongoing thing that we have to be very, One person who tuned in asked whether very cognisant of.” countries in the Region have erred by utilGanga noted that those who make up the ising social security funds to provide relief informal sector represent almost 30 to 40 per during the pandemic through nationally cent and when governments observe the level declared emergencies, as opposed to the use of poverty that exists, they must see the need to of war-time methods of financing to provide improve the social security systems or welfare basic incomes as subsistence allowances. programmes in place.

Ganga said that in times of crises, it matHe said that these measures must also alters little to the average man where financial low for diversification and much ensure that support for his survival comes from, but it is the vulnerable have access to decent jobs to the responsibility of governments to make wise be able to contribute to the development of decisions which benefit the vulnerable. their country and the Region.

COLLECTIVELY COMBATTING COVID-19 The BoG Governor also fielded questions on how the Region can work together to help limit the impact of COVID-19.

In response, he pointed to CARICOM, one of the oldest customs unions in the world, as a means through which countries in the Region can collaborate.

Among other purposes, CARICOM works to remove tariffs between member states and to set up a common external tariff to non-members. Dr. Ganga reminded participants that CARICOM was set up primarily as a result of the many benefits which could come from regional integration.

“A regional approach is very, very important because it provides for a more efficient and effective way to address the challenges of COVID-19, or any of [the] problems or challenges that we may face,” the governor said.

In working together through CARICOM, Ganga said that countries will not only be able to improve their own welfare, but that of the Region also. “What we have to do is to deal with issues in a very coordinated, concretive and a wholesome manner and, by doing that, we save a lot of energy and costs,” he said The BoG Governor pointed out that almost all International Financial Institution (IFIs) prefer to deal with the Region as a collective, as opposed to individual countries as they are aware of the benefits that come from the collective.

A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE He also touched on the need to digitise public sector regulatory agencies for the modernisation and diversification of markets beyond the tourism sector and to make regional export markets more competitive.

Dr. Ganga said that while enhancing technology and digitising transactions are very important to improving efficiencies, governments must be cognisant of the need for training and safeguards which prevent fraud.

He stated: “We have to be very, very

Governor of the Bank of Guyana, Dr. Gobind Ganga careful in terms of the phasing of technology not only within our systems, but also within our social context. Indeed, there is so much to be had from digitalised transactions but once again, we also have to be very careful with respect to fraud. We will find that those who have gone straight into having more digitalised payments would have encountered quite a lot of fraud. So, we have to be careful so that we have their safety in terms of cyber security. We have to have the type of capabilities to overlook employees who are part and parcel of this digitalised world.”

Speaking also on oil, which has been hit as a result of the pandemic, Dr Ganga encouraged countries in the Region to take advantage of low oil prices. Meanwhile, he said that Guyana, now as an exporting country, will be working to balance its dependence on fossil fuel with the enhancement of sustainable energy sources.

He said: “We know that fossil fuels do have a finite amount and therefore, from oil, we will try to maximis e our revenues but, at the same time, we will try to maximise our benefits from appropriate energy sources that are sustainable, that can provide positives for the environment and also in terms of the welfare improvement of the people of Guyana, the Region and the world.”

IMF official cautions about re-opening border THE Director of the Western Hemisphere Department of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Alejandro Werner, has referred to Latin America and the Caribbean as the new coronavirus (COVID -19) global epicentre.

To this end, the top IMF official has warned that countries be cautious in re-opening their economies and that they should allow science and data to guide the process.

Werner was reported in a Caribbean Business Report (CBR) last week as saying, the human cost has been tragic, with over 100, 000 lives lost. Also, the economic toll has been steep.

The World Economic Outlook Update, the report noted, estimates the region to shrink by 9.4 per cent in 2020, four percentage points worse than the April projection and the worst recession

on record.

Further, a mild recovery is projected of plus 3.7 percent in 2021.

Werner assured that the IMF stands ready to use its financial clout to help Latin America and the Caribbean to achieve a stronger recovery, the report added.

Meanwhile, in Guyana, a gradual re-opening of the country’s airspace is scheduled to begin from Wednesday, July 1, 2020 with a controlled number of flights coming into the country.

Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Lt. Col. (ret’d) Egbert Field, had made the announcement earlier this month, during a webinar themed ‘Path to Clearer Skies’.

To allow and facilitate incoming and outgoing flights, a 4-phase reopening plan was unveiled.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 29, 2020

Moruca has approximately 58% of active local COVID-19 cases –– Police, teachers and doctors included

MORUCA, a sub-region in Barima Waini, Region One, has 63 out of the 109 active cases of the Coronavirus in Guyana.

This amounts to approximately 58% percent of the cases, and this situation is affecting the people in the densely populated indigenous community.

Last Friday, it was reported that several new cases of the virus have been recorded at Moruca. Unconfirmed reports are that as many as 14 new cases were recorded there from tests undertaken on one day during last week The cases included that of a pupil who is preparing to write the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), 22 teachers, two doctors of the Kumaka District Hospital and other staff, and five policemen, who are all in quarantine. The Toshao of the village is also in quarantine because one of her family members has been tested positive, but she has tested negative.

Last week a man from Mabaruma stopped at Moruca to visit someone and he tested positive for the virus at Mabaruma.

Another male from Moruca travelled to Mahdia (Region Eight) several days ago and is currently in quarantine after he went to the hospital at Mahdia displaying symptoms of the Coronavirus.

The village council at Santa Rosa, which is in Moruca, is receiving support from the authorities in their efforts to boost awareness as well as give assistance in the form of care packages to residents affected by the virus. Santa Rosa is the largest populated indigenous settlement in Guyana.

The residents of the community formed a group

on Facebook ‘Santa Rosa Friends and Family’, and have been seeking support in the form of donations to bring relief to the affected families.

A recent post on the page stated that the response to a food and sanitiser drive has been profound and they will continue with more drives for the people.

The group is soliciting non-perishable food items and sanitising material.

“The first set of items that have gone in will cater mainly for the families of those in quarantine and others the Santa Rosa Village Council may deem high risk. Our hampers consist of rice, flour, sugar, milk, cooking oil, black eye peas, split peas, canned foods like sardines, tuna, detergents, sanitisers and toiletries. We need bath soap and toothpaste.

For our first shipment we had donations of supplies to the value of about $700,000 or more and cash donations of about $150,000. We need porridge stuff and milk for babies. Five of the women tested positive and are in quarantine, have babies who are at home with family members. They need baby foods. We continue to receive donations. With cash donated, we purchase the supplies that are not donated to meet the target for shipment.

We will ship each week until we reach our target of hampers for 500 families and if needs be, we will go beyond,” the post outlined.

For more information, persons can make contact with Stephanie Fraser, Nadia De Abreu, Graham Atkinson, Murphy Desouza, Miranda La Rose, all of whom are accessible on Facebook.

To date, 2,423 coronavirus tests have been conducted in Guyana, with 2,193 of those being negative.

The MOPH is reminding

Port Mourant labourer critical after fire incident THIRTY-four-year-old Naresh Rampergas, alias Bobby, was up to Sunday evening battling for his life at the New Amsterdam Hospital, hours after his wife was awakened by the glare of “a bright light” a short distance from her bedroom window.

It was around 03:00hrs hours on Sunday that Roopdhai was awakened by a sound, and she observed her husband was not on their bed. She reportedly looked through her bedroom window on the lower flat of their two-storey house and observed a red light next to her outdoor fireside. She then ran out into the yard to see what was burning, and discovered her husband engulfed in flames.

Her screams alerted neighbours, who quickly came and rendered whatever assistance they could before alerting the police and taking him to the Port Mourant Hospital.

Rampergas has been since transferred to New Amsterdam Hospital, where his condition is listed as critical.

persons to continue practising social distancing in the workplace, public spac-

es, and while using public transportation to reduce the spread of the coronavirus disease. They are also reminded to practise frequent hand washing/sanitising and

always wear a face mask if they have to go out.

Globally, over 9.7 million cases of the virus have been recorded worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins

University.

The United States has seen a spike in new cases while Brazil continues to record hundreds of cases daily.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 29, 2020

‘COVID-19 difficult to curtail in Bartica with so many entry points’ –– Regional Chairman says National Task Force needs to respond OVER the past few days, the township of Bartica went from having no recorded case of Coronavirus (COVID-19), to having five confirmed cases, 17 awaiting tests results, and five in institutional isolation.

Regional Chairman of the Cuyuni Mazaruni Region where the town is situated, Gordon Bradford, told the Guyana Chronicle that the situation is one that is difficult, as Bartica is easily accessible all around, and more human resources are needed to assist.

In addition, the people of the town are not fully supportive of the protective measures being implemented by the regional leaders.

Bradford said that the Regional Task Force has established screening units at all the legal checkpoints, to ensure that, as people enter the town, they are screened for safety. However, these checkpoints are being avoided by some transportation providers and individuals, and this is an issue that cannot be easily addressed, because of the manpower needed to do so.

“This is a very tedious exercise and it is difficult to execute. Because we have so many entry points to Bartica, and the more you try to enforce, the more the people are not cooperating. They’re landing their boats at different entry points to avoid the screening process. But even though we are cognisant of this, we don’t have the human resources to

monitor all these entry points. Not even the police we have here are enough to monitor all entry points to Bartica. And the nature of this virus, it only takes one person to slip through, and that can infect a whole host of other people. So that’s the difficulty. But we are to hear from the National COVID-19 Task Force, because it has to assist with the curtailing of the virus in this region,” Chairman said.

He noted, too, that it is even difficult for the police when they try to assist in enforcing, because they too cannot have physical contact with people because of the contagiousness of the virus.

“How can a police execute his duty from 6 feet away? And I believe it is the non-adherence and non-cooperation, generally, that has the numbers going up. Same crowding, no social distancing, we’re really between a rock and a hard place with this COVID-19 situation, because even if we try to be stricter and enforce a lock down, and have everyone stay home, who is supporting them? They got to have food,” Bradford lamented.

The Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr. Edward Sagala, shared similar sentiments as Bradford on the issue. He said Bartica being infected now is as a result of the non-compliance and lack of cooperation they have been getting in the town.

Sagala was quoted in a Facebook post

saying “What is sad and of increasing concern is the fact that Barticans are continuously flaunting/ignoring the advisories that the Health Department, time and time again, has been preaching, and no one seems to be listening, showing care or even bothering at all. Face masks are not worn; instead, individuals keep them in their bags and pockets.

Social distancing is not being observed at all.

Small children can be seen wandering on the road unsupervised. Where are the parents?

Barticans still continue to be casual and unconcerned, despite our constant reminders that we are facing a deadly disease.”

The RHO, who is also the head of the regional task force, would meet thrice weekly with other members of the task force, and advise the residents on the guidelines, through several communication methods.

However, though many attempts are being made from the regional level, the cooperation of the people is paramount.

Last Wednesday, a male resident was recorded as the first Bartican to test positive, and the man was said to have been in physical contact with ten other persons, and those were subsequently quarantined and tested.

Of the ten tests samples taken, results indicate that four of them are also positive, including a three-year-old child; five are negative and the result of another is pending. All of the contacts are from Bartica and are now in institutional isolation for fourteen days, as is mandated by the COVID-19 guidelines, and then they will be retested.

A further 16 individuals were tested, amongst them are healthcare workers, and the results will soon be available.

GECOM must explain the over 100,000 invalid ballots...

From page 9 person were listed as having voted in the elections.

In his analysis, Ming cited Guyana’s census data which showed the country’s population in 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000, and 2012 as being 745,000; 751,000; 723, 000; 751,000 and 747,000 respectively. This, he said, gives an average of 743,000 during that period.

Using an average of 750,000 between 2012 and 2020, Ming showed that with children below the age of 18 listed at 250,000, the number of persons eligible to vote and resident in Guyana should be at 500,000. An accurate number of persons that should have been on the OLE for the elections in 2011, 2015, and 2020 is approximately 500,000 maximum.

With an average 72% turnout of electors in 2006, 2011 and 2015, the turnout in 2020 should have been approximately 360,000, if the OLE was 500,000.

He showed that before the 2015 elections, GECOM had projected the OLE to be 475,496, and the turnout 354,317.

However, the actual figures were 570,787 for the OLE and 416,055 turnout, resulting in 62,000 more voters than 2011. This he said was “virtually impossible.”

“It is fair to state, categorically, that for the 2020 and any future elections within another cycle, an

accurate OLE of persons residing in Guyana cannot exceed 500,000 persons, and the turnout cannot exceed 360,000.”

Ming said the claimed valid votes cast in the 2020 elections totalling 460,295, undoubtedly includes approximately 100,000 ballots which should not be included in a credible result.

According to him, GECOM’s discarding of 115,787 invalid

votes leaves 347,509 votes cast, and 344,508 valid votes, which is what a correct tally should be for the 2020 elections.

“How 100,000 invalid ballots got into the boxes and who placed them there is a matter that GECOM and the three-card teams have to explain to the people of Guyana,” Ming said.

(DPI)

According to the National 2012 census, the total population of Guyana is 746,955 comprising a total of 371,805 men and 37,150 women with an average of 65% being over 18years, the eligibility voters total approximately 485,520. (Guyana Lands and Survey Commission’s FACT page on Guyana)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 29, 2020

Sheltering TIP victims costs a pretty penny

– gov’t spent as much as $60+M in 2019 alone THE Government of Guyana has expended some $60 million in 2019 on Non-Governmental Organisations involved in providing housing for adult female victims of trafficking.

It also opened the country’s first shelter outside of the capital, Georgetown, for victims of the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) trade, and expended another $2 million on providing direct financial assistance to those victims who did not stay in a shelter.

This was disclosed in the US State Department’s 2020 TIP Report, where, for the fourth consecutive year, Guyana has maintained its Tier 1 ranking, meaning that the country has fully met the minimum standards for the elimination of TIP, and demonstrates serious and sustained efforts to address the social issue.

Tier 1 is the highest attainable ranking in the four-level system, where Tier 3 is the lowest ranking, representing countries whose governments do not fully comply with the minimum standards, and are not making significant efforts to do so to deal with the issue of TIP. Prior to 2017, Guyana was ranked a Tier 2 country, which was back in 2016, while prior to that it was listed as a “Tier 2 watchlist” country, which is the ranking just above Tier 3.

The report considers measures taken to address both sex and labour trafficking, but notes that limited government presence in the country’s interior renders the full extent of trafficking unknown.

Notwithstanding the active efforts, however, according to the report,

greater effort is needed in the handling of TIP situations involving male and child victims, as well as a need for more accountability and culpability of officers and others in authority who, instead of protecting victims, compound the situation. There has also been a lack of effort by the government to reduce the demand for commercial sex.

According to the report, for 2019, a total of 102 victims were identified, which was a significant improvement on the 156 and 131 identified in 2018 and 2017 respectively. Of the 102 victims, 95 were female, and seven male. Among the lot were 10 minors, according to the report.

Twenty-five calls made to the national hotline resulted in trafficking investigations during the reporting period.

However, according to the report, the three new prosecutions of suspected traffickers in 2019 was a reduction from 11 prosecutions in 2018, and 17 in 2017.

In the case of minors, the authorities reported six child-labour violations, with citations issued

for two such violations in the extractive and service industries, and criminal charges filed in the two cases of child-sex trafficking.

The victims came from Guyana, as well as the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Venezuela.

“The MoSP funded transportation costs and police escorts for victims staying outside a shelter who were willing to attend court proceedings, and granted deportation relief to 135 foreign victims.

The government reported granting foreign victims temporary residence status and work permits, if requested,” the report noted.

ADDRESSING CHILD LABOUR For the reporting period, several initiatives taken by the government to actively address child-labour issues.

“Labour officers frequently conducted impromptu visits to work sites and business premises in the mining and logging districts and capital city to investigate See page 16

15

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 29, 2020

Sheltering TIP victims...

From page 15

suspect labour practices and possible violations.

The government drafted a National Action Plan to Eliminate Child Labour to deal with challenges in recruiting, retaining, and training labour inspectors to more effectively monitor child labour and extractive industry workers, particularly in light of Guyana’s fast-growing oil operations where children are particularly vulnerable to forced labour,” the report noted.

Other commendable implemented measures highlighted in the report as demonstrating “serious and sustained efforts” included the completion of a draft amendment of the Combating Trafficking of Persons Act; the sentencing of a convicted trafficker to 15 years imprisonment; drafting a national action plan to eliminate child labour; and the completing of standard operating procedures for investigating and prosecuting trafficking cases.

The government trained 221 law enforcement officers on trafficking victim identification and referral procedures, and 48 judicial officers on standard operating procedures for prosecuting

human trafficking cases, with the assistance of international organisations during the reporting period.

However, in terms of areas still in need of improvement, the report noted that the country “investigated and prosecuted fewer suspected traffickers, identified fewer victims of trafficking, and did not provide adequate screening or shelter for child and male victims”.

The report said there is a need for more labour inspectors and increased training in human trafficking, and the need for reduction in the delays in court proceedings and pretrial detention of suspects, pointing out that “prosecution cases took an average of two years in process and pretrial detention averaged three years”.

In terms of prosecution, the report also noted that “minimal law enforcement efforts” were maintained by the government, while in terms of protection the government was chided for “inadequate efforts to protect victims and identified fewer victims”, while “victim assistance remained a serious concern”.

The report was emphatic about the

need for more accountability of officers and others in authority who misuse their power. The report called for “police and law enforcement officials accountable for abuse of vulnerable individuals and intimidation of victims in shelters”.

“The government did not report any new investigations, prosecutions, or convictions of government employees complicit in trafficking offenses, although the government screened Venezuelan women and children who experienced human rights abuses, including sexual exploitation by government officials,” the report said.

The report called for police and law enforcement officials to be answerable for abuse of vulnerable individuals and intimidation of victims in shelters “Observers noted there were frequent, widespread reports of physical and sexual abuse of children and allegations that some police officers could be bribed to make such cases “go away”.

Observers reported police and other authorities intimidated some victims into staying at shelters against their will, did not allow family visits until trials were completed, and cut short some victims’ phone calls if they spoke in their native language,” the report said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 29, 2020

Murdered teenager’s boyfriend remanded to prison NINETEEN-YEAROLD Dickwon Nigel Adams of Lot 17 Smythfield, New Amsterdam, and of De Veldt Village, Berbice River, was

charged with the murder of his girlfriend, Melissa Somah.

He appeared, via Zoom, before Linden Magistrate Wanda Fortune

and was not required to plead to the charge which stated that, between June 17 and 18, 2020 at De Veldt, Berbice River, he murdered Melissa Somah,

called Lisa. He has been remanded to prison and is expected to return to court on August 7, 2020 for report.

On June 18, 2020, the body of seventeen-year-old Melissa Somah, called Lisa, was discovered, after policemen, on marine patrol, were informed of the presence of

a female body which was seen afloat in the vicinity of Gaetroy Village, Upper Berbice River.

A post mortem revealed that the death was due to drowning, compounded with trauma to the head. The deceased was said to be two months pregnant at the time of her death.

Charged: Dickwon Nigel Adams

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 29, 2020

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 29, 2020

NWSL resumes with ‘bent knees’ from players

(BBC) - Chicago Red Star team-mates, Julie Ertz and Casey Short, shared a tearful embrace on Sunday as the pair knelt during the American national anthem before their National Women’s Soccer League game.

As the Chicago and Washington Spirit teams lined up and took a knee, Short became tearful and was supported by fellow USA footballer Ertz.

Portland Thorns and North Carolina Courage players took a knee before their game on Saturday.

The players also wore T-shirts reading “Black Lives Matter” before kickoff.

Ex-NFL player Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the US anthem in 2016 in protest against racial injustice.

Portland and North Carolina said it was to protest against “racial injustice, police brutality and systemic racism against black people and people of colour”.

The joint statement added: “We love our country and we have taken this

opportunity to hold it to a higher standard.

“It is our duty to demand that the liberties and freedoms this nation was founded upon are extended to everyone.”

US star Megan Rapinoe, who has opted out of the tournament, said on social media: “You love to see it.

“You love to see these women using their voice, demanding better for America, and for black people and people of colour.”

The protest has taken renewed significance since the death of George Floyd in the United States.

Floyd, a 46-year-old unarmed black man, died after being restrained by a white Minneapolis police officer on 25 May. Saturday’s match in Utah was the first time a major North American league has returned to action since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, which halted sports in March.

Courage won the game 2-1, while Washington beat Chicago 2-1.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (MONDAY JUNE 29, 2020)

COMPLIMENTS OF XTRA ENERGY DRINK - STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 683-9500) &CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz (1) 13 (2)11 Today’s Quiz: (1) When and where did the WI & SL contest an ODI game for the first time?

(2)When did SL defeat the WI in an ODI match for the first time?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 29, 2020

Pakistan looking to target England ‘fragile’ top order

Pakistan have England’s “fragile top order” in their sights as captain Azhar Ali said that the hosts’ batsmen haven’t looked confident since Alastair Cook retired in 2018. He called England’s bowling line-up “brilliant” but played down any sense of pressure handling an experienced attack.

England have struggled to nail down a regular top three in recent years, not least since Cook’s final Test in September 2018. In their 18 Tests since then, England have used six different opening pairs (five excluding nightwatchman Jack Leach), and no pair has opened together more than nine times.

Rory Burns seems to have secured his place but remains inexperienced, with only 15 caps to his name, while Dom Sibley (6 Tests), Joe Denly (14) and Zak Crawley (4) will be fighting it out for the other two spots during their series against West Indies.

“Their bowling attack is brilliant in their own conditions and there is no doubt about it,” Azhar said before leaving for England. “Other than Jofra Archer we have faced all of them - Broad, Anderson, Woakes, Stokes and even Wood was there, but we have still won against them.

Looking at their batting, their top order has been fragile for some time since Alastair

Cook retired. They have tried a lot of combinations lately and might be looking a bit more settled, but they haven’t been really confident with it.

So there is something for us in it to look at.”

Pakistan have a decent away record in England since 2016, winning three Test out six Tests in two drawn series, which finished 2-2 (in 2016) and 1-1 (2018). In fact, that record in England is among the best for a leading Test

England “have tried a lot of top-order combinations” recently, said Azhar Ali AFP via Getty Images

Rory Burns and Dom Sibley look set to open for England against West Indies Getty Images

side in the last four years: during that time, Australia have won two Tests in England with India, South Africa and West Indies winning one game each since 2016.

Azhar said he felt his side had done well on previous tours in England conditions:

Pakistan are the only visiting team to score 500+ in a Test in England since 2016, and Azhar suggested that their other successes there - including the 2017 Champions Trophy - could provide them with the belief to succeed again on this tour.

Pakistan’s inexperienced fast bowling bowling lineup might be considered as a weaker link as the talented youngsters Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi have no experience playing Test cricket in English conditions.

Only Mohammad Abbas, who played two Tests on the 2018 tour and has spent two seasons playing county cricket for Leicestershire, has much in the bank. Yasir Shah, Pakistan’s main spinner, has ample experience but he has had a poor run of late in Tests, averaging 75 with 10 wickets in his five appearances since the beginning of 2019.

“In terms of number of games, of course England have tons of experience in their bowling,” Azhar said.

“But we have the skills: they [our bowlers] are young and have a lot to offer. They can give trouble to any team in the world. In a very short time, they have achieved a lot and that is a good sign.

“You can’t buy experience immediately, and for that you obviously have to play more, but then we have a very experienced coaching

staff with Waqar Younis and Mushtaq Ahmed. Their expertise and knowledge can be utilised and they will be helping them. So I believe, when this combo of experience and skill is brought together, that we can produce a great result.

I am confident about this.

“About spinners, we are not really sure about the conditions at the time of the Test series. The weather right now is great there but it changes frequently and suddenly. We don’t know how it will pan out this summer. We will bring our game plan according to the conditions. We have a larger pool of player and have a lot of flexible options in our touring party.”

Pakistan’s 20-man advance group lands on Sunday afternoon in Manchester and will undergo a 14-day quarantine period at New Road, Worcestershire before transferring to Derbyshire’s County Ground on July 13. Another batch of players that include Wahab Riaz, Shadab Khan will join the squad in the next 10 days if they receive a second negative result for Covid-19.

The tour comprises three Test matches starting in the first week of August and three T20Is stretching into September. All six games will be played behind closed doors.

Watford drop trio over ‘health and safety’

(BBC) - Andre Gray, Nathaniel Chalobah and Domingos Quina were all left out of Watford’s squad for Sunday ’s Premier League defeat to Southampton.

The club said the decision was “to ensure the health and safety of all players, staff and officials”.

It comes after Gray reportedly held a birthday party at his home, breaking coronavirus lockdown rules.

The striker turned 29 on Friday, the day after Watford lost 1-0 in the Premier League at Burnley.

Manager Nigel Pearson did not want to speak about the omission of the three after Sunday’s loss, which leaves Watford just one point above the relegation zone.

It was claimed that around 20 people were at the gathering at Gray’s residence, which he shares with his fiancee, the Little Mix

singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock, 28.

Current government lockdown rules allow six people to meet in gardens or parks if social distancing of two metres is observed.

On Saturday, Watford said they were investigating after being made aware of social media posts which suggested that two players had contravened the protocols.

Watford’s Nathaniel Chalobah, Domingos Quina and Andre Gray have all been dropped from Sunday’s matchday squad

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 29, 2020

England will pick strongest XI for first West Indies Test despite rotation plans (ESPNCRICINFO) - England’s bowlers have been told by the selectors that the team picked for the first Test against West Indies will be the strongest possible side, despite the acceptance that rotation will be a feature of the summer.

The 30-man training group named ahead of the West Indies series includes 18 seamers, with the ECB’s performance director Mo Bobat telling ESPNcricinfo last month that “our depth will get challenged” by a “pretty brutal schedule”. England are set to play six Tests in a seven-week window across the West Indies and Pakistan series, and the team’s management are expected to give opportunities to fringe players at some stage.

That could mean that Stuart Broad misses a Test match in England for the first time since 2012, breaking a streak that currently stands at 51

consecutive appearances at home. Speaking from the bubble at the Ageas Bowl on Sunday, Broad admitted that he was reluctant to miss any cricket, but accepted that there was a “bigger picture” for the support staff to consider.

“We’ve been told as a bowling group that the strongest team will be picked for the first Test. The aim is to get into that,” Broad said.

“The last Test I missed in England was against West Indies in 2012, when I was named in the starting XI [before the toss] but it rained for the first two days and Andy Flower decided that a three-day Test match was one to take a rest from, over which we had an argument at the time.

“I don’t like missing cricket. I feel fit at the moment - my fitness tests have been as strong as ever in this come-back-to-cricket period

- but we all know how hard fast bowling is. One of my strengths over the years has been to play consistently, so the body has been used to the workload, and it has never had that period of stopping, to then have that shock of coming back.

“That is the period we’re in now, and Ed Smith, James Taylor [England’s selectors] and Chris Silverwood [head coach] in the selection panel have been clear that, yes, we want to play our best team as often as possible, but we’re not going to put bodies at major risk.”

Despite his admission that he would rather not miss a Test, Broad conceded that the risk of injury will be heightened this summer.

There have already been parallels drawn with football, where the Bundesliga and the Premier League have seen a spike in injury rates, and Broad used the example

of James Anderson’s injury at Newlands to illustrate the problem.

“We all wear these GPS devices now, and the stats that Phil Scott [England’s strength and conditioning coach] pulls together are quite interesting. He can almost predict when an injury might happen. If you bowl 25 or 30 overs in a day, you won’t get injured the next day - it’s a bounce of two weeks when the height of risk of injury comes, which is why rest and recuperation comes into it.

“If you’re in the team on July 8 and you do your job and bowl well and you bowl the team out by only bowling 20 overs in the Test then I’m assuming you’re going to play in the next game. That has got to be your aim, and I’d love the opportunity to start. It’s always going to be hard and frustrating if you’re told you’re not playing in

a Test, but there is a bigger picture for them looking after us.

“We can see [from when] Jimmy came back on Boxing Day - we had a bit of illness, so he bowled loads on Boxing Day and then got injured ten days later. We want to avoid those sorts of things with our bodies not feeling as tough, as cricket-hardened as they would be in a normal summer.”

If England do choose to rotate, they will not have any shortage of options to choose from. Players on the fringes of selection like Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton and Ollie Robinson will push for inclusion in the final squad for this series in a three-day warm-up match starting on Wednesday, while England have already used as many as eight frontline seamers in Test cricket in the past 12 months.

“You have 30 people trying to get in 11 spots, so training has been nicely intense,” Broad said. “The coaches have been telling us to make sure we control our intensity a little, because obviously if we come in and spike our workloads and get up to too high an intensity, we risk injury.

“There is certainly no panic over the strength in depth of English fast bowling. We’ve all come here fit and fresh, which is rare for a fast-bowling group. The dream ticket is to board a flight for Brisbane [ahead of the 2021-22 Ashes] and having this lot of fast bowlers all ready to go.

“Can we have Olly Stone, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, these sort of pace guys, Woakes, Curran, Broad, Anderson, all fit, fresh and ready to go? If we can, we’ve got a chance of winning there.”

Pandey offers suggestions to Improve women’s game (ESPNCRICINFO) - India pace-bowling allrounder Shikha Pandey has become the latest in a long line of cricketers to offer views on whether women’s cricket needs any tweaks like smaller balls or shorter pitches - to help it further flourish and attract more fans. In a series of tweets, Pandey on Saturday said “most of the suggestions” to alter the women’s game were “superfluous”.

“Please, don’t compare women’s sport, women’s cricket in this case, with men’s sport. We need to see it as a different sport altogether... A sport that 86,174 spectators turned up to watch on March 8, 2020 and several million watched live on their television sets,” she tweeted, referring to the record crowd at the final of the 2020 T20 World Cup between Australia and India at the MCG in March.

A mainstay of the Indian

attack that finished runners-up both at the 2017 ODI World Cup and the recent T20 World Cup, Pandey wrote, “Reducing the size of the ball is fine, but as Ian Smith suggested, it only works if the weight remains the same. This will allow for bowlers to grip the ball better - more revs for the spinners - and hits will also travel further (not be the case if it is light).”

As for reducing the length of the pitch from 22 yards, Pandey said: “An Olympic 100m female sprinter doesn’t run 80m to win First place medal and clock the same timing as her male counterpart,” she wrote. “So the whole ‘decreasing the length of the pitch’ for whatever reasons seems dubious. Also, it almost definitely takes the double-headers [with the men’s teams] out of question.”

Instead of “tinkering with rules or the very fabric of the game to attract an audience”,

Shikha Pandey sizes up her target area Annesha Ghosh

Pandey said, “Growth can be achieved by marketing the sport well.”

She also advocated more technology in the women’s game. “Why not have DRS, Snicko, Hotspot, all of the technical acumen and live broadcast for every game that we play anywhere in the world.”

Potential changes to

the women’s game, such as using a shorter pitch and a smaller ball, were suggested

by New Zealand captain Sophie Devine and India batter Jemimah Rodrigues in a recent webinar conducted by the ICC. Then, in a series of interviews by ESPNcricinfo last week, the likes of Smriti Mandhana, Rachael Haynes, Lea Tahuhu, Kate Cross and

Nida Dar had also laid out their views on the debate.

“If it [the act of proposing tweaks] is about bringing it [women’s cricket] aesthetically closer to the men’s game, I don’t think that’s the right way to go about it. The women’s game is a good product that’s continuing to evolve & make its own mark,” Haynes said.

Tahuhu pointed out that “if you’re having to prepare two-sized pitches, then you lose out the opportunity to host double-headers with men, while Mandhana added: “Although I feel women’s cricket is exciting as it is... reducing the length might make it interesting from the viewer’s perspective.”

Cross and Dar emphasised that better infrastructural and monetary investment and more publicity on the part of the media is the ideal way to the take the women’s game forward.

“Having the WBBL, the KSL, the Hundred or a women’s IPL - that’s the kind of change the women’s game needs,” said Cross, while Dar wondered, “How about publicising the matches rigorously on social media and mainstream media? ... Give players more incentive to raise the standard of the game and things will get more entertaining.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 29, 2020

City to face Arsenal in FA cup Semi (BBC) - Holders Manchester City will face Arsenal in a strong FA Cup semi-final line-up after showing class and patience to beat Newcastle at an eerily quiet St James’ Park.

Shorn of a fervent home support, Newcastle struggled in the first half against their opponents who are aiming to complete a cup treble after conceding the Premier League title to Liverpool this week.

After wasting several good chances, City opened the scoring from the penalty spot when Kevin de Bruyne slotted past Karl Darlow following Fabian Schar’s needless push on Gabriel Jesus.

But after switching to a more positive formation in the second half, Steve Bruce’s team pressed higher up the pitch and the game opened up before a key turning point after the hour mark.

Although Andy Carroll caused problems of a physical nature on his first start since December, it was his replacement Dwight Gayle who had Newcastle’s best chance when he somehow skied over from six yards following Allan Saint-Max-

imin’s low cross.

Within two minutes, Raheem Sterling raced down the other end and slotted into the bottom corner with an exquisite curling finish for his 22nd goal of the season.

The errors by Schar and Gayle undid Newcastle’s hard work, but City kept their composure to extend their winning FA Cup run to 10 games.

Having already won the League Cup and with a lead over Real Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League, it could still be a memorable season for Pep Guardiola’s side.

For Newcastle, the dream of reaching an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley for the first time since 2000 was beyond them, but they can now concentrate on trying to fulfil Bruce’s aim of breaking into the Premier League’s top 10.

City keep their cool after tough week City may have lost their Premier League crown this week as Liverpool ended their 30-year wait for a topflight title, but there is still plenty for Guardiola’s team to achieve this season.

After looking tired in their 2-1 loss to Chelsea in midweek, the six-time FA Cup winners showed their appetite for the season ahead and a battle against a resolute Newcastle side, who were spearheaded by a combative Carroll.

It already felt like a training game thanks to the absence of 52,000 fans watching Newcastle’s first FA Cup quarter-final since 2006, but Newcastle’s formation reduced the first half to a game of attack versus defence where City clocked up the chances.

Before the opening goal, Riyad Mahrez skied over from 15 yards, Jesus could not direct a fizzing Kyle Walker cross towards goal and Sterling’s powerful shot was then stopped by Darlow.

Amazingly, it looked like the hosts might survive the first half intact before Schar’s mistake.

But De Bruyne kept his cool from 12 yards to net his 12th goal of the season.

That gave City a deserved cushion, and they were afforded more space in the second half that allowed them to attack with their usual

Another passing masterclass from the Belgian Kevin de Bruyne, who will be key to them completing a cup treble

confidence.

Following Gayle’s crucial miss, Sterling proved clinical to make the game safe and although City could have added to more goals, they were denied by some stern Newcastle defending.

Newcastle show endeavour after break Although news of a proposed Saudi Arabian takeover has stalled during the absence of football because of the coronavirus pandemic, the team has emerged from lockdown with spring in its step.

They went into the break unbeaten in three games as they secured their place in the FA Cup’s last eight, and have since beaten Sheffield

United and drawn with Aston Villa to virtually secure their Premier League survival.

It was a surprise, however, to see Bruce’s team start the game with a five-man defence, given their upsurge in form had resulted from a switch to a back four.

The logic against a team seeking a cup treble was obvious, but it also played into City’s hands as Newcastle could not get out of their own half. Carroll’s tame shot was all they had to show for a frustrating first half.

They improved after the break when they switched a 4-5-1 formation, with their midfield supporting Carroll, who was booked for a challenge on Aymeric Laporte.

The Newcastle forward was soon withdrawn after clashing with the City defender several times and it looked like the hosts’ extra mobility could take the game to extra time at least.

But Gayle, who has scored one goal this season, fluffed his opportunity and then watched in disbelief as Sterling showed him how it was done.

Bruce will rue the fact that two errors cost his side, but he will hope that his team’s best FA Cup run under owner Mike Ashley and a strong end to the Premier League season are evidence of his credentials for the job should a takeover finally materialise.

Barkley spurns Chelsea redemption

(BBC) - Ross Barkley came off the bench to send Chelsea to Wembley as manager Frank Lampard’s half-time changes transformed this FA Cup quarter-final at Leicester City.

The Foxes held sway in the first 45 minutes at the King Power Stadium, although it took a flying save from Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel to keep out Christian Pulisic’s powerful drive.

Lampard’s discontent could be heard echoing around the virtually deserted arena - and he acted by introducing Barkley, Mateo Kovacic and Cesar Azpilicueta at the interval for Reece James, the subdued Billy Gilmour and Mason Mount.

It had the desired effect as Chelsea improved markedly. Barkley, who was on target in the 2-0 win against Liverpool in the last round, scoring the winner after 63 minutes when he reacted to get in just ahead of Jonny Evans and sweep Willian’s clever cross past Schmeichel.

Leicester, missing the injured James Maddison, were out of sorts after the break although they applied late pressure and defender Caglar Soyuncu was frustrated late on when his header struck Azpilicueta and flew over.

Lampard’s reshuffle does the trick An FA Cup quarter-final behind closed doors contains little of the passion and noise that usually accompanies these occasions, with a place in the last four at stake.

It did, however, enable those few of us inside the ground to hear several loud blasts of “liven up, liven up” from Chelsea manager Lampard as he expressed his displeasure at his side’s early inability to cope with Leicester City’s bright start.

Leicester failed to make the most of possession in the first 45 minutes and Lampard was able to make those substitutions that swung the game back in Chelsea’s favour.

Talented youngster Billy Gilmour had one of those halves all young players

Ross Barkley’s goal was his third of the season in the FA Cup

can have, giving the ball away too much and having little impact - he will learn from this.

Barkley came on and was Chelsea’s FA Cup talisman again, scoring the winner and almost adding a second in the last minute, forcing an unorthodox save from Schmeichel.

It also demonstrated Chelsea’s squad strength as Lampard was able to

introduce such experience and ability.

Lampard and Chelsea have had an impressive restart, winning at Aston Villa and getting a crucial three points at home to Manchester City in the Premier League. Those results kept them right on course for a top-four finish and now they are in an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

Leicester’s lack of spark

will worry Rodgers Leicester’s City last game before the Premier League closed down as a result of the coronavirus pandemic in early March was an impressive 4-0 demolition of troubled Aston Villa at the King Power.

It has been different since the re-start as they have struggled to draws at Watford and at home to Brighton before this disap-

pointing FA Cup defeat.

Manager Brendan Rodgers will have held high hopes of cup success after falling to Villa at the semi-final stage in the Carabao Cup - and this result and performance will have increased a few anxieties around the club.

Leicester have had a superb season in the Premier League but they will be looking over their shoulders at Chelsea, who are a point behind them in fourth, as well as Wolves, who are only three points adrift - although they have played a game more.

There was no doubt Leicester missed Maddison, out with a knock, as his link-up play with Vardy was sorely missed, the striker making his trademark runs but getting very little quality service.

Leicester will remain optimistic and there is hardly any need to get carried away, but they need to re-discover the spark that made them such a potent force in the first seven months of this interrupted season.

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 29, 2020

LGC host’s mini in-house tourney --proceeds donated to club staff, workers THE Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) hosted its first indoor tournament on Saturday following months off due to the covid-19 pandemic, with proceeds going towards assisting club members.

Some 29 golfers took

to the Greens in an effort to ensure those attached to the club and were heavily affected by the pandemic, were still able to provide for their families.

As such, the local pros took the necessary precautions to ensure they abid-

ed by the social distancing guidelines, while still bringing out their A-Games.

Entrance fee for the club tourney was GY$3000, which meant LGC staff including caddies, club-house workers, groundsmen and others, were able to receive

some means of financial stability while waiting for normalcy to return.

Coming in at first place was veteran golfer, Deanand ‘Deno’ Bissessar, who ended with a Gross 83 and 61 Net. Second, third and fourth places were also occupied by

a few star players in ‘Pandit’ Ravi, Ian Gouvia 80/64, and Shanella London 84/70.

The LGC, last month, donated a number of hampers to the Lusignan community as a means of providing Covid-19 relief to their caddies and their families as

well as other residents in the neighbourhood.

Meanwhile, local golfers will continue to slowly ease back into action with occasional in-house tournaments, as they further wait out the lockdown period.

‘Last Dance’ inspired Robben return (BBC) - Arjen Robben was inspired to launch a comeback with Groningen after they showed him a montage of basketball great Michael Jordan’s career.

Groningen officials met with Robben just days after he retired in May 2019.

While that initial approach failed to convince 36-year-old Robben, talks were revived last month.

The Dutch club used clips from the Last Dance documentary about Jordan, interspersed with images from Robben’s own career, in their

successful pitch.

Robben, who made his senior debut for Groningen as a 16-year-old before moving on to PSV Eindhoven, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern, has signed a one-year deal with his boyhood club.

“I’m here to help the club,” Robben said on Sunday.

“You do that by showing the right attitude. I don’t have anything to lose and I’m going into the challenge with a positive attitude and to try and make the best of it.

“I haven’t set any goals, it

could be over in a month or it could last two years.”

Jordan also famously came out of retirement. After initially ending his baseball career at the age of the age of 30 to attempt a professional baseball career, he returned to the Chicago Bulls to win another three NBA titles.

Robben spent his time away from football on another sporting challenge. He had been training to run the Rotterdam marathon before the coronavirus pandemic forced its postponement from April to October.

Robben will have another three months to prepare for his Eredivisie return with the Dutch top-flight’s 2019-20 season having been abandoned because of the coronavirus pandemic

Arthur passes Juventus medical

(Reuters) - Juventus are set to sign Brazil international Arthur Melo from Barcelona after the midfielder agreed a five-year contract with the Italian champions and passed a medical, according to Spanish media reports on Sunday.

The move is part of a twin negotiation between the clubs which involves Bosnia midfielder Miralem Pjanic moving to Barca, said reports in sports dailies Mundo Deportivo and Marca. T Mundo Deporti-

Arthur of Barcelona holds off Saul Niguez of Atletico Madrid during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Club Atletico de Madrid at Camp Nou on April 06, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

vo said Juve will pay Barca 70 million euros (63.67 million pounds) for Arthur, 23, and will receive 60 million for 30-year-old Pjanic.

Both players will complete the current season with their present clubs.

Arthur was photographed arriving in Turin for his medical on Sunday, with Barca saying he had the club’s permission to miss training.

Barca and Juve did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

LGC host’s mini in-house tourney --proceeds donated to club staff, workers See story on page 23

England look set to rotate their fast bowlers at some point this summer Getty Images

Golfing action

England will pick strongest XI for first West Indies Test despite rotation plans PAGE 21

Chicago defender Casey Short (centre right) was embraced by captain Julie Ertz (centre left) as they knelt during the anthem

NWSL resumes with ‘bent knees’ from players

PAGE 19

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MONDAY,JUNE 29, 2020