Guyana Times - Saturday, May 23, 2020

See Region 4 SoRs comparison with released SoPs on pages 15 to 18 All SoRs are available on our website Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

See story on page 14

Issue No. 4294

THE BEACON OF TRUTH SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2020

US slaps sanctions on Nicaraguan Army Chief, Finance Minister

...what’s ahead if elections rigged in Guyana

Int'l observers can return using criteria as stranded Guyanese – Irfaan Ali

PRICE

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Democracy activists petition Caricom to ensure observers remain until end of recount P11 …appeal for more scrutineers

See story on page 7

…conditional re-entry for over 300 stranded Guyanese granted

In just 87 boxes, Mingo stole more votes for APNU/AFC than their 4000 margin in 2015

APNU/AFC- P12 appointed REO charged for assaulting Region 2 VC

See story on page 9

928 of the 2339 ballot boxes recounted Page 14

See story on page 10

Leguan man dies after tractor topples in rice field

Region 4 recount proves Mingo is the only fraudster – Timothy Jonas Page 3

P10 Spike in COVID-19 cases in Region 7 worries health authorities

Mabaruma man stabbed to death by P14 reputed wife

Man dies after falling from P22 veranda during birthday bash

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SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, May 23 – 05:30h – 07:00h and Sunday, May 24 – 05:30 – 07:00.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, May 23 – 17:00 – 18:30h and Sunday, May 24 – 04:55h – 06:25h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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WEATHER TODAY Expect sunshine during the day. There will be clear skies and partly cloudy conditions at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to North-Easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 17:06h reaching a maximum height of 2.59 metres.

Low Tide: 10:40h and 22:50h reaching minimum heights of 0.49 metre and 0.66 metre.

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Region 4 recount proves Mingo is the only fraudster – Timothy Jonas T

he only fraudulent acts or anomalies that have so far been uncovered in the March 2, General and Regional Elections occurred in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), in the figures presented by Returning Officer (RO) Clairmont Mingo; and the litany of other objections being raised by the Coalition Government on a daily basis can largely be explained as human error.

This is the conclusion of the Chairman of A New and United Guyana (ANUG), Attorney-at-Law Timothy Jonas, who on Friday rejoined the recount activity after having undergone a COVID-19 test subsequent to his reportedly displaying respiratory symptoms at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre.

The outspoken attorney sought to clear the obfuscation which he said has been emanating from political circles on a daily basis. Lamenting what he termed a ‘spin’ being put on the narratives emanating from the recount process, Jonas told media operatives, “So far, the only anomalies that have come up have come up in Region Four.”

Prefacing his position, Jonas noted that at the end of Election Day, the Presiding Officers from across the country had tabulated Statements of Poll (SORs); and now, more than two weeks into this recounting exercise, the Statements of Recount (SoRs) being generated are matching those SORs almost identically.

This he reported to be the case for the ballot boxes that have been recounted for Regions One (Barima-Waini) and Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

“I know that a lot of spin doctors have been spinning (conflicting) issues and confusing things, but there is a very simple truth to this thing: so far, the only anomalies that have come up have come up in Region Four,” Jonas declared.

The ANUG Chairman told reporters that what is being uncovered thus far in the recount process is that the SOPs are in fact matching the SORs, and “the only variable that is coming out is Mr Mingo’s declaration.”

According to Jonas, the recount process is illustrating, as an example, where an SoP gave APNU/AFC 83 votes at a polling place in Region Four, this is being confirmed by a recount of the ballot box. The figures that can be heard emanating from the Mingo declaration, however, would inflate that number by as much as 100.

He adamantly held to the position that the only fraud that occurred during the electoral process was what had taken place at the Ashmin’s Building on High Street, and then again at the GECOM Headquarters, with both incidents involving Mingo “when he read from his spreadsheet the numbers which did not reflect the numbers which existed on the SOPs for those places of poll. That is the only

Chairman of A New and United Guyana (ANUG), Attorney-atLaw Timothy Jonas

variable.”

Taking this into consideration, the attorney observed that at the time the original declaration had been given, “and Mr Mingo read his report, APNU said, ‘We won these elections, and we are satisfied with how counting of these ballots was done’.”

Reminding that the recount exercise was just an activity that is ascertaining the ballots cast, he said it would mean that “if there were dead people putting Xs on the ballots in the first place, is those same ballots we counting that got the dead people Xs; the same ballot we are now counting that APNU was happy to accept a victory (from) when Mingo counted them.”

He outlined that what is different this time around is that the count is being done transparently, and “APNU don’t want to see the results of that box, and APNU are now introducing questions which have nothing to do with how many pieces of paper were in the box.”

The attorney was adamant that the only difference in the results being shown from two counts of the same box is that the figures by Mingo were inflated, and not

in keeping with the existing figures on the SOPs. To date, GECOM is yet to release the SOPs in its possession, despite a formal demand having been made by Opposition Commissioners.

As he expanded on his observations at the ACCC venue, Jonas noted that what is being peddled in the public domain by the coalition as anomalies are in fact simply just the records of an APNU+AFC counting agent placing on record his/her belief that at a particular time or place, someone was out of the country, or dead.

He was adamant that there has not been a shred of evidence produced by the APNU/AFC to support the anomalies “presented to the Commission in this regard”.

Further, the attorney suggested that the insinuations were not, in fact, relevant to a recount of the pieces of paper already sealed in the ballot boxes, which are being used in order to determine if the same numbers were arrived at on election day.

Addressing objections being raised by APNU+AFC in relation to unstamped bal-

lots, Jonas was candid in stating that there was a public awareness exercise mounted

by GECOM to inform the public not to accept an unstamped ballot.

He dismissed allegations of patterns emerging, but conceded that anomalies exist in every election, citing as example instances in which individuals would in fact mark their X in incorrect places, or even vote for every part altogether.

Jonas observed there were instances when ballots were marked with a tick instead of the widely publicised X, and he said that electors had even placed their mark on the logo of the party of their choice.

These, he concluded, did not demonstrate a pattern of intent to defraud an electoral process.

According to Jonas, there is, as part of the system, a screening process during the counting process that does remove votes that are unstamped or rejected. “So this is not a pattern or anomaly; this is something that occurs every time,” he said These, he directed, are accounted for on the SOPs.

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guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2020

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Apply same criteria

N

ow that the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) has set out criteria for the return of over 300 stranded Guyanese abroad, this has signalled that, if caretaker President David Granger is truthful to transparency and democracy, the same measures can be applied to have the Carter Center return to observe the elections recount.

However, despite weeks of lobbying, Granger has remained unyielding and unbothered by the intensified calls from persons of all levels of the political spectrum and from ordinary Guyanese to allow the democracy watchdog to return to Guyana. As was said after all, the Carter Center is an accredited observer and the election process is yet to be concluded. However, a desperate attempt to keep the transparency watchdog group out of the recount process has now become transparent.

Last week, caretaker Foreign Affairs Minister Karen Cummings wrote on the President’s behalf to the US Ambassador in Guyana, saying that Guyana’s decision to close its airspace to commercial traffic is due to the presence of COVID-19; Government could not allow the Carter Center to return, and, as such, that decision should be respected. This week, however, the very COVID-19 Task Force found conditional and controlled measures that would allow stranded Guyanese to return home. Like those stranded Guyanese, personnel from the Carter Center can subject themselves to all requirements of the Public Health Ministry and other relevant ministries and agencies. They can also be asked to produce their results of COVID-19 tests 48 hours prior to arrival.

Why the duplicitous behaviour? It most certainly cannot be that intelligent minds in the administration have not realised it is very apparent that refusal under the pretext of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is yet another desperate move to keep the Carter Center out.

Certainly, it must have occurred to them that everyone can see that Government allowed several international flights into the country. Among the reasons for those flights were to transport rotating ExxonMobil workers and to bring the Caricom observer team for the elections recount.

However, the decision to keep the Carter Center out does not come as a surprise, as there have been tremendous attempts by the current caretaker administration since the March 2 polls to keep at bay any organization or person who stands for transparency, credibility and democracy. The attack on the reputation of former Jamaica Prime Minister Bruce Golding is a prime example of how the APNU/AFC treat persons who stand up against electoral fraud. The former Jamaica PM, in his report on Guyana’s General and Regional elections made to the Permanent Council of the Organisation of American States (OAS), candidly said: “I have never seen a more transparent effort to alter the results of an election.”

The former Prime Minister was on the ground here in Guyana during the polls, and had a first-hand look at the voting and tabulation processes. Like Golding had observed, there is no secret that fraud was perpetrated during the Region 4 (Demerara-Mahaica) tabulation process. All of the observer missions that were on the ground on March 2 -local, regional and international - reported that the voting process was organised and fair, but irregularities occurred, not at the polling stations, but rather in the tabulation of Region Four votes.

Guyana must be thankful to the observer missions that were here on Elections Day, because, indeed, had it not been for them, as American Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch said, a result might have been declared that would not have commanded the acceptance of the Guyanese people, or the respect and approval of the international community.

Therefore, we support Peoples Progressive Party/Civic Presidential Candidate Dr Irfaan Ali’s call that those same conditionalities that applied to the stranded Guyanese overseas should be applied for the return of international observers to oversee the ongoing elections recount.

GECOM has every right to reject unsubstantiated claims Dear Editor, Certain elements involved in the ongoing recount being held at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre continue to make unsubstantiated declarations in an attempt to frustrate and delay the process.

The March 2, 2020 elections were completed within GECOM’s systematic procedural and regulatory guidelines designed to

guarantee a fair, transparent electoral process which ensures that among other things, persons do not vote more than once, and ‘deceased persons’ and other fictitious individuals cannot vote.

This systematic procedure was collectively managed by GECOM staff at all Polling Stations on elections day, and the election process was completed

without all of the ongoing objections.

While procedures may occasionally fail, in light of the systems in place to prevent such failures, any claims and objections now must be substantiated by evidence to this effect. It is, therefore, disingenuous of individuals to make unsubstantiated claims.

All unsubstantiated objections are thus with-

out merit, and cannot receive further attention by GECOM. Complicit individuals are reminded that it is a chargeable offence to utter false declarations and statements under GECOM guidelines, this being punishable by incarceration of six months for persons who are not election officers.

With regards, Craig Sylvester

A recount might solve the dispute Dear Editor, A number of coalition members and supporters are speaking and commenting on concerns of the elections not being credible.

Some have mentioned the excessive number of voters as a percentage of the population, while others point to many of the issues seen in past elections which are also related to the credibility of the list of voters.

Thus, paving the way for a rejection of the recount results. The current declarations in hand will most likely also be rejected by the Opposition, leaving the two major parties (PPP and PNC) once again at opposite ends of the spectrum, but this time after the recount process.

It then becomes important to answer the question as to “what could be the next phase of this unfolding saga?”. We have already learned that one leader’s acceptance doesn’t always lead to the entire party and its members following suit.

For beginners, a court case should be expected, where the question of the use of an elections petition and the credibility of the elections is formally discussed.

The Caribbean Court of Justice being once again the final location where they will attempt to settle the dispute. The time during this phase of the saga will extend the duration of the absence of a Government, but the pandemic will introduce a new dynamic that can bring calls for the need for an emergency exemption. This will increase the level of tension surrounding the controversy and martial law being put in place will be another concern to arise.

Such delicate matters will have to be dealt with high levels of statesmanship from members of the political class on both sides in order to avoid violent outbursts within the populace.

Furthermore, the avoidance of any slippage into the perception of dictatorial rule if martial law is imposed will be required.

The use of a nonpartisan agreement will be needed to ensure that our country is not perceived as neglecting democratic norms. An opportunity for a joint nonpartisan team to address the pandemic should be fertile ground to aid in this matter.

Calls for a revote, when it comes will provide great

suspicion, and reduced trust in the election process will present further difficulties for all those involved.

If the entire dispute gets to the point where this becomes the preferred path, then the country will be faced once again with the time needed to clean the Official List of Electors (OLE) via another Houseto-House process, which will have to be more thorough and robust than before to erase all doubts of credibility stemming from the OLE. Followed by a new election that has its own challenges during the pandemic.

These potential next phases of the election’s saga will be very time consuming and will increase the overall level of resentment and conflict in our country. Thus, it becomes crucial – the level of weight the Commission’s final decision on the elections has on the moral fortitude of all those involved in the acceptance of the results of the recount.

However, given the underlying motivation of riches from oil and the unfortunate sequence of events we have all seen unfold thus far, it is most likely that this elections saga is far

from over. The true depth of “love for nation” should not be second to “lust for power and wealth”, but human history continues to prove otherwise in most cases. It is the undefeatable will of the Guyanese people that will eventually determine how this saga ends.

A public refusal to a revote and the influence of external powers including Caricom will be tested in the coming months. The right to due process will also be of utmost importance, as this right is not to be discarded in the face of expediency.

Patience of the passionate on both sides of the divide will be tested, and the need for “astuteness over anger” will become the testing factor that determines the level of leadership capabilities and statesmanship present within our politicians of today. How this saga is managed will also determine the path upon which our young nation becomes rooted for many generations to come.

Please choose wisely.

Best regards, Jamil Changlee

Granger’s public utterances demonstrate a narrative that is less than honest

Dear Editor, President David Granger, over the past few days, has shifted from his position of general silence and has now engaged the media, and appeared on a radio programme. Unfortunately, his public utterances demonstrate a dedication to a narrative that is less than honest.

Editor, I will address one aspect of what President Granger talked about on a radio programme on Monday, May 18. He talked about “hooliganism” at

the Ashmins building. How can he expect his comments to be trusted when the media have informed Guyanese clearly on what took place?

Also, there are dozens of video recordings of what took place at the Ashmins building.

The only act of hooliganism was the attempt by Mr Mingo to declare results that were not verified in keeping with the laws of Guyana.

Only last week, Mr Noel Lynch of Barbados, the same Caricom official used

by President Granger in his

comments this week, said clearly that the controversy in this election took place because of “irregularities” in the “presentation of the count” after Election Day. Mr Lynch also said, “Had these observer missions not persevered in Guyana, a result might have been declared that would not have commanded the acceptance of the Guyanese people, or the respect and approval of the international community.”

The hooliganism that President Granger has to

condemn are the actions of Mr Mingo and those in his APNU/AFC coalition; like Volda Lawrence, whose signature was on the declaration of results for Region Four.

President Granger, even as the leader of the APNU/ AFC, has an obligation to the people of this country.

Now is the time for “country first”. As a leader, this is the standard by which he will be judged.

With regards, Erin Northe

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2020

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Elections results first: inclusive governance afterwards

Dear Editor, Once again, “inclusive governance” has been edging onto centre stage of Guyana politics. There are forces that are pushing this aggressively, largely because their party has lost the 2020 National and Regional Elections.

First, let’s begin with this caveat: these forces must recognise that Guyanese voted for a particular party to run the Government for the next five years, and not for inclusive governance.

Notwithstanding, the debate has gathered additional traction when noted academic Havelock Brewster joined the chorus for inclusive governance. And on May 18, 2020, President David Granger re-stated his call for inclusive governance.

The advocates have not yet been able to operationalise the concept of inclusive governance that would be appropriate to Guyana.

Importing any model will not necessarily work, given Guyana’s history and it’s complex social structure.

It’s easier to describe rather than define inclusive governance. One could say in general terms that it’s a system of governance where all major stakeholders, inclusive of political parties, are given an opportunity to participate in the running (decision-making) of the Government at all levels.

Under this system, it is envisaged that the party which wins the majority or plurality of votes at an election will assume the Presidency, and then allocate ministerial and other positions, after consultations with important stakeholders on programmes and policies, but in proportion to their popular or electoral strength.

Civil society could be represented as technocrats at all levels of governance.

The 10 geographic/administrative Regions (ROs) should be given budgetary and tax authority. More central authority (such as police, health, public works, drainage and irrigation, education, lower court system, etc) should be devolved onto ROs. This could take the format of a federal type of system as proposed by Ravi Dev. And a system of public hearings on important community issues will ensure

that ordinary people have a say in the governmental process. In this way, many layers of society will be involved in governance.

What is essential for the integrity of this system is an effective opposition.

Including a few members from other political parties or groups in the governmental structure does not mean that it is a coalition arrangement. Inclusive government is different from coalition government.

It is not known what model of inclusive governance the PNCR is advocating. In their 2015 manifesto, they spoke of ‘participatory democracy’ and the formation of a ‘government of national unity.’ In accordance with these principles, they stated: “APNU-AFC is committed to ending “winner-take-all” politics and building inclusive response and accountable governance.” However, their concept of inclusive governance seems to be restricted to “equal opportunity.”

Let’s assume that by inclusive government Mr Granger means at a minimum, executive (ministerial) power-sharing in the Cabinet and also at the lower levels in the Civil Service, State Boards and Constitutional Commissions; then he had the golden opportunity to implement inclusive government when he assumed the Presidency in 2015 but instead, he dropped the proverbial ball.

This abject failure did not escape the attention of PPP/ C’s executive Gail Texeira who criticised Mr Granger’s sudden revival of the inclusive governance idea as being opportunistic. She suggested that it’s because the PNCR/AFC party has lost the 2020 elections that Mr Granger has now turned to inclusive governance.

Gail has listed a number of policy decisions and actions (such as the closure of 4 sugar estates, the firing of 1962 Amerindian CSOs, defiance of NCM, unilateral appointment of Justice James Patterson as GECOM’s Chair, etc) by the PNCR-AFC Administration that were contrary to good governance and which led to the furthering of the race divide and the heightening of mistrust. On a May

13 GlobeSpan programme, former President Donald Ramotar asked: “how could the PPP/C share governance with cheaters and election riggers?” He was referring to Mingo’s voter tabulation fraud in Region Four.

For their part, the PNCR has argued that their trust in the PPP/C has been eroded because they (PPP/C) have marginalised Africans, enriched their supporters, killed 420 Black men and facilitated the drug trade; all of which have been rejected by the PPP/C. But these are some of the dominant PNCR narratives.

The PPP/C has indicated on several occasions that they are not averse to some aspects of inclusive governance; in their 2020 manifesto that’s one of their promises to the people. But they have not provided a model either. It’s perplexing that we are discussing inclusive governance when we have not yet developed an appropriate model or framework.

The challenge ahead is to strengthen factors compatible with the rebuilding of trust among the various groups. Trust is not unachievable but it will involve extensive national discussions followed by purposeful action in such matters as national reconciliation.

Building trust includes taking such measures as giving the Integrity Commission and the Ethnic Relations Commission enforcement authority, and establishing an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission with enforcement authority. And to quote Ravi Dev, we should prepare ethnic impact statements for major projects which will continually guide public policy.

We should allow churches to play the lead role in social cohesion. These and other measures could improve trust pending the time when the agenda for the inclusive government model will be cast into the public domain for debate, and if accepted by all stakeholders for subsequent incorporation in the Constitution. We still have a good way to go on this journey.

Sincerely, Dr Tara Singh

Granger is not innocent of attempt to force rigged election on Guyana Dear Editor, On Sunday last, David Granger emerged from his home complete with massive security (akin to an Idi Amin) surrounded by a phalanx of former APNU/AFC Ministers and imposed his ‘Presidential’ presence on the GECOM recount proceedings. Granger arrived at GECOM for no good reason other than to reassure his party faithful that he is still in charge, rather than to reassure the country that he recognises and supports the legitimacy of the recount or that he will accept the results.

What, in fact, did he do and say at GECOM? He deliberately confuses his status as to whether he has come as our ‘de facto’ President or as that of the APNU/AFC Presidential Candidate.

Having held meetings with the GECOM Chairman and senior staff and the Caricom scrutineers, he then crosses the road to hold a press conference, whether as ‘de facto’ President or party leader, it never becomes clear, obliging the Chairman of GECOM to join him at his side.

He then speaks both as APNU/AFC leader and as leader of the Government, completely compromising the presence of the GECOM Chair, who should have immediately excused herself.

The press conference was carefully orchestrated and managed by none other than Cathy Hughes, who has no governmental information role and is clearly acting in her party capacity.

At the press conference, Granger persistently refused to answer straight forward questions as to whether he would recognise and accept the result of the recount, claiming only that “whatever declaration is made by the Chairman of the Elections Commission would be recognised as legitimate by the coalition Government”.

Pressed further by reporters, in spite of the effort

by Hughes to manage them, on the fact that his Attorney General, the day before had challenged the legitimacy of the recount, Granger repeated this time, “as President of Guyana and leader of the Government, it is my policy that any declaration coming from the Chairman of GECOM will be accepted by the Government of Guyana”.

But to what exactly had Granger committed himself?

It’s a recount, not an election petition

Dear Editor, “GECOM Chairperson, Retired Justice Claudette Singh in a public statement on Thursday reaffirmed emphatically: “While I continue to monitor the trends based on the allegations in the Observation Reports, I am of the view that ‘he who asserts must prove’.” – Guyana Times May 22, 2020.

Indeed, he who asserts must prove. However, Madam Chair, I must agree with highly respected Commissioner Sase Gunraj’s statement, which was apologetically retracted, that it is not the role of GECOM to probe claims of anomalies. This recount process undertaken by GECOM has a mandate by law to conduct a recount and not an

election petition. The path GECOM is going to take concerning these frivolous ORs is yet murky since the matter, to my knowledge, has not been fully deliberated upon by the Commission, the head table of GECOM might I add.

Justice Singh has not given the media any sort of answer to such a question until recently where she said what is in paragraph one. Is she willing to consider these “proof” and go into extensive trials now or after? Mind you Madam Chair, an election petition occurs after a valid, legitimate electoral process or recount; you do know this, I’m sure of it. If you choose to approve such a mandate at this time, you will be wasting valuable resources in such a

COVID-19 time.

I’m well aware that your vote tips the scale but as a Justice, you are bound by oath, dignity and conscience to do what is right by no man but by what’s right for the people of Guyana. This is a quote from a piece I had written to you, “Justice may be defined as the maintenance or administration of what is just especially by the impartial adjustment of conflicting claims or the assignment of merited rewards or punishments (MW).

Justice in itself is true, it’s factual, it’s impartial, it’s fair, it’s righteous and with reason.”

I’m hopeful, Madam Chair.

I remember the conversation we had a few days back where you said, “People curse me out but I’m still here...I am a

Justice and I know my responsibility...I would have already sworn a President in if I had really wanted to but I’m here, doing a recount process.” You then went on to state/vent a bit about how the Task Force knows that more stations are needed and you’re working to get at least one more to fill Region Four. You talked some numbers which made sense and I reiterate, I am hopeful, Madam Chair, but not naive.

For Guyana and her people; rich to poor, abled to differently-abled, we will #keepmovingforward. Together as one nation, as one people with one destiny.

Most respectfully, Dr Josh Kanhai

To learn that, you had to hear what he said the next day at a Mark Benschop radio interview, where he declared that he is “confident” that his party has won the elections.

So, what, then, if the GECOM Chairman, faced with the overwhelming evidence of the recount, announces that it is the PPP/C that has won the elections, would Granger say to the APNU/AFC voters to whom he has persistently lied?

He also used the Benschop interview to perpetuate the lie that “the Opposition stormed” the GECOM centre to invade the office of the GECOM Chair. I was there. So were the international observers.

There was no invasion. It was when Mingo first attempted to declare a fraudulent result of the unfinished District Four tabulation that he was shouted down to prevent him from doing so. The Chairman of GECOM remained perfectly secure in her office, inexplicably choosing to ignore Mingo’s performance.

But Granger did not only refuse to acknowledge acceptance of the result of the recount at his press conference, he also refused to reject the Mingo/Lowenfield declaration which remains in “abeyance”. Granger left that for Ms Singh to consider when using her casting vote in the Commission. We know how Granger’s Commissioners will vote.

Granger also refused at his press conference to recognise and accept the credibility of the election process on Elections Day. According to him, it was “premature”, leaving yet another decision wide open for Ms Singh to decide upon by using her casting vote in the Commission.

All those decisions carefully placed upon the shoulders of Ms Singh by David Granger could, of course, lead to Ms Singh swearing-in David Granger as President of another APNU/AFC Government, regardless of the results of the number of ballots counted in favour of the PPP/C.

To sum it up:

* Granger has refused to recognise the fraud committed

by Mingo as the immediate beneficiary of that fraud. * Granger has refused to recognise that the recount of the ballots currently taking place must deliver the results of the elections. * Granger has refused to recognise the credibility of the election process on elections day which was recognised by all of the observers and signed onto by all of the APNU/AFC party agents. * Granger has refused to recognise that the declaration

by Lowenfield, based on the tabulation of Mingo, is fraudulent and must be rejected without exception. * Granger has refused to recognise the evidence of the Statements of Poll in his party’s possession which were publicly displayed on Elections Day for the world to see as irrefutable evidence that the PPP/C has won the election by a substantial majority.

David Granger still has the gall to say to the world that it is not me, that this has nothing to do with me, that I am innocent of all of this, that it is all the responsibility of the Chairman of GECOM. Not really!

Granger hangs on to power from a fraud committed and embraced in GECOM by the very people that he appointed to the Commission.

A fraud that his candidate went to the court to keep alive and defended by the lawyers hired and paid for by his Government. David Granger has stopped The Carter Center from observing the recount.

David Granger is not innocent of this attempt to force a rigged election on our country. David Granger has the power and authority in his hands, to, tomorrow, release our country from the agony and growing disaster in which he and his party has placed us, by simply accepting the actual result of the elections and conceding that he has lost the elections.

Yours sincerely, Kit Nascimento

SEE ADDITIONAL LETTERS ON PAGE 22

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SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2020

Page

Foundation

Guyana Times is pleased to publish the Education Ministry’s National Grade Six Assessment Past Papers.

Below is the conclusion of English Language Paper 1, 2012.

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

NATIONAL GRADE SIX ASSESSMENT

ENGLISH LANGUAGE

TIME: 1 hour 10 minutes 1. WRITE YOUR CANDIDATE NUMBER ON THE ANSWER SHEET AND UNDERLINE THE SUBJECT.

3. If you are not sure of the answer to a question, then choose the one which you think is BEST. On your answer sheet, draw a heavy black line through the letter you have chosen.

ANSWER SHEET (A) favrite (B) favarite (C) favourite (D) faveriteu

2. This test contains 40 questions. You are required to answer ALL questions. Four responses are given for each question.

The responses are A, B, C and D. Only ONE response is correct.

4. BE SURE THAT THE QUESTION NUMBER IN THE BOOKLET IS THE SAME AS THE ONE YOU HAVE USED ON YOUR ANSWER SHEET.

A heavy black line has been drawn through the letter B on the answer sheet because Georgetown, the correct answer, is next to B.

Here is an example done for you.

1. Red is Tim’s colour.

5. If you make a mistake, erase the line cleanly, then draw a heavy black line through the

In questions 25 to 27, the two words in bold are guide words on the pages of a dictionary. Choose the word that would be found on each page.

Allot - Alone 25. (A) aloof (B) allocate (C) alike (D) ally Heel - Hell 26. (A) heed (B) heir (C) helmet (D) helpless Optional - Orchard 27. (A) optical (B) ordinary (C) option (D) orbit In questions 28 to 30, choose the correct idiom to complete each sentence.

28. He was told to get to the point and not (A) beat around the bush. (B) flog a dead horse.

(C) sit on the fence. (D) tell tall tales.

29. If you are to be on your best behavior, you must (A) burn the midnight oil.

(B) take the bull by the horn.

(C) mind your p's and q's.

(D) make hay while the sun shines.

30 She never does anything the right way, and would al-

ANSWER SHEET A B C D

ways (A) be a chip off the old block.

(B) turn a blind eye.

(C) tell tales out of school.

(D) put the cart before the horse.

31. Ravi wants to know the meaning of a term in his Science book. He must look in the (A) Contents. (B) Glossary.

(C) Preface. (D) Acknowledgement.

Read the passage below, then answer questions 32 to 35.

In the past in some schools, a pupil who did not behave in school was beaten by the teacher with a cane or stick. The teacher would hit the pupil hard enough so that it really hurt. But in other schools, there were teacher who did not beat their pupils.

If a boy behaved badly in class, he would not be beaten.

In fact, the stick would be placed in the back of his shirt collar so that it would rise in the air above his head. Then the boy would stand up on a bench infront of the other children. He would indeed bend his head in shame.

If a boy did not come to school on time, the teacher would send a few boys to bring him to school. One would carry a lighted lamp and another would carry a bell.

The boy with the lamp would walk in front, to show the way, while another would ring the bell to indicate

letter next to the answer you have now chosen.

6. REMEMBER, each answer MUST only be shown by a heavy black line on your Answer Sheet.

7. Remember only ONE answer must be provided for each question.

8. DO NOT TURN OVER THIS PAGE UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO.

that the child should be in school.

One morning the teacher slept late. When the boys realized that he was late, they took the lamp and the bell and went to get him. They brought him to school with one boy leading the way with the lighted lamp, and another boy ringing the bell behind him.

Adapted 32. In the past a pupil was punished (A) with a lamp. (B) for misbehaving.

(C) with a bell. (D) for making a mistake.

33. When a pupil stands on a bench, he would most likely (A) cry. (B) be embarrassed.

(C) disturb the class. (D) dance.

34. The lamp in the passage does a similar job as a (A) vehicle. (B) firefighter.

(C) flashlight. (D) teacher.

35. A suitable title for the passage would be (A) Disrespectful Students.

(B) Means of Punishment Long Ago. (C) Teacher and Students.

(D) Punishing a Teacher.

Read the poem below, then answer questions 36 to 40.

I wonder what my kite can see, So high above the world and me; And if the birds are friends to him, As I am friend to Jack and Jim, 5 And are the clouds just really rain, That melts and pours all down again? Oh, he must know a thousand things, As much as schoolmasters and kings; But will he breathe a word to me?

10 No, he's as quiet as quiet can be.

Anonymous 36. The word wonder in line 1, can be replaced by (A) am curious. (B) am doubtful.

(C) am certain. (D) am surprised.

37. Who are the poet's friends?

(A) Jack and Jim (B) The birds (C) Schoolmasters (D) Kings 38. Which line tells us that the kite is knowledgeable?

(A) 1 (B) (C) 7 (D) 39. The poet wants to know if (A) the world is below the sky.

(B) clouds are made up of rain drops.

(C) his kite knows everything.

(D) his kite is allowed to tell all it knows.

40. The kite was was quiet as quiet can be" (line 10) because it (A) knew how to keep a secret.

(B) was afraid of saying anything.

(C) did not know what to say.

(D) was not capable of speaking.

END OF TEST

NEWS

7

SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Int'l observers can return using criteria as stranded Guyanese – Irfaan Ali …conditional re-entry for over 300 stranded Guyanese granted

D

uring a special meeting of the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF), the conditional return of over 300 stranded Guyanese was approved, signalling some definitive action by the highly politicised task force.

However, Peoples Progressive Party/Civic Presidential Candidate Dr Irfaan Ali is contending that those same conditionalities should be applied for the return of international observers to oversee the ongoing national election recount of votes.

The permission granted by the Task Force would see Guyanese in New York, Florida and New Jersey, in the United States of America, and in Trinidad and Tobago, among other countries, returning home.

These persons would have already been registered with the Guyana Embassies, High Commissions and Honorary Councils in the countries where they are stranded.

The approval is subject to a series of strict conditionalities. “(Re-entry is) only applicable to Guyanese nationals residing in Guyana who are stranded overseas and who registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as at Thursday, May 21st, 2020. Guyanese nationals in possession of a valid Guyanese passport (the Immigration Department of Guyana will also accept any passenger whose Guyanese

PPP/C Presidential Candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali

passport expired within six months prior to arrival). All requirements of the Ministry of Public Health and other relevant ministries and agencies being fulfilled. Results of COVID-19 tests (PCR with results in English language) being provided at least 48 hours prior to arrival. The applicants or their employers covering all costs for their return,” the statement noted.

Dual citizens are not catered for at this time, and re-entry is permitted only by air.

International observers

Meanwhile Dr Ali, during a virtual media briefing, expressed satisfaction with the NCTF’s decision to allow the re-entry of those stranded Guyanese. He noted that there are many other Guyanese stranded

around the world, who are suffering. However, he argues that the same criteria should be utilised for the return of the international observers; notably, the Carter Center, against whom the Government has been using the COVID-19 pandemic to lock out of Guyana.

“The criteria used for the return of Guyanese are criteria that can also be used for the return of the international observers. I am of the strong view that, with the strong public health criteria, there is no rationale and there is no reason to deny international observers the right to be here. I say ‘the right’ because we are a part

many agreements; we are signatories to international standards as (they relate) to democratic norms, good governance; we are part of the global community; we are part of the OAS (Organisation of American States); we are part of the UN (United Nations), and we have a responsibility to ensure that we do not deny these agencies to be part of the democratic framework of this country. It is critical at this time because of what took place in District Number Four (Demerara– Mahaica),” he added.

of a global community; we are part of an international community, and we don’t operate in a vacuum and we don’t operate in isolation of what is taking place in the rest of the world,” Ali noted in his statement.

“We are signatories to

didate also expressed his gratitude to the National COVID-19 Stakeholders’ Forum, which he created to aid the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. He related that the Forum has been receiving an influx of requests for help from var-

The

COVID-19

presidential

can-

Caretaker President David Granger

ious communities in need, and used the opportunity to call on all stakeholders in a position to offer assistance to work with the communities to render assistance to those in need. He said there are many communities heavily impacted

by COVID-19 and the lockdown measures.

“There are areas where forestry played a key role in putting food on the table for people; I am speaking here only about food.

Where bauxite played an important role, where sugar played an important role.

People (were) without jobs in many of these communities even before COVID-19.

We have many Guyanese families who are experiencing hunger at this moment; and every single day, from the National Stakeholders’ Forum, we are receiving re-

quests from communities all across the country for food items, food hampers. I want to say it is overwhelming sometimes, and I would say we don’t have the capacity because we are not in government at this time,” Ali explained, while reiterating his call for everyone to get involved.

The NCTF is urging those qualified to return home to contact their nearest diplomatic mission to complete the necessary paperwork and submit the requisite documentation and information. The Forum also reminded that Guyana’s airspace remains closed, and that the flight applications for those returning home must be submitted by the airline or operator to the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority for approval.

The Task Force has said it empathizes with Guyanese who have been stranded overseas for several weeks, some of whom have been sheltering in challenging circumstances.

The NCTF, within the controlled re-entry policy, is eager to ensure that every Guyanese who is stranded overseas returns home within the shortest possible time, while ensuring that the health and safety of Guyanese in Guyana are maintained, and not compromised in any way, the statement noted.

8 NEWS

SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Berbice River boat collision

5 slapped with manslaughter charges

He who affirms…

I The dead men: Julian McKenzie, Godfrey Denheart, Romario Denheart and Kidman Lindie

F

ive men were arraigned for the death of four men following a boat collision in the Berbice River when they appeared before Magistrate Wanda Fortune at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

They were jointly charged for the lesser count of manslaughter.

The accused are 39-yearold Marvin Kissoon also called “Coolie Boy” of Lot 8 Sheet Anchor Village, Corentyne, Berbice; 20-year-

Charged: Nateram Punwasie

old Kevin Archer also called “Carl” or “Buckman”, of Maria Henrietta, Berbice River; 23-year-old Ramnarine Punwasie of Lot 12 Number 2 Village, East Canjie, Berbice; 51-year-old Carl Williams also called

Charged: Carl Williams

Charged: Ramnarine Punwasie

“Aguttie” of Lot 6 Adalphie Settlement, East Canjie, Berbice, and 38-yearold Nateram Punwasie also called “Rajin” of Lot 12 Number 2 Village, Corentyne, Berbice.

They are accused of killing 40-year-old Julian McKenzie; 23-year-old

Charged: Kevin Archer

Charged: Marvin Kissoon

Romario Denheart; 60-yearold Godfrey Denheart and 37-year-old Kidman Lindie on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, following a boat collision at Sandhills Village, Berbice River.

The five accused were not required to plea to the charges on Friday and were remanded to prison until June 19 when they will make an appearance at the Kwakwani Magistrate’s Court.

The quartet was killed when a boat transporting marijuana collided with their vessel in the Upper Berbice River.

It was reported that the men were travelling in a boat in the vicinity of Friendship Village, Berbice River, when the vessel transporting marijuana slammed into theirs

and fled the scene.

At the time of the accident, Kissoon was the captain of the boat with four other passengers. However, as they travelled along the River, they noticed another vessel heading in their direction.

As such, Kissoon reportedly swerved to avoid a collision but instead collided head-on with the other vessel. The now dead men reportedly fell into the water and never resurfaced while the five accused fled the scene.

They were later arrested and were found to be previously charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking but on Friday, they were arraigned for manslaughter.

Prime suspect in female security officer’s murder shot by Police …3 to be charged for manslaughter

T

he prime suspect in the gruesome murder of 68-year-old Margarett Dawnson, whose partially nude body was discovered on Monday last in the Le Repentir Cemetery, was shot by Police on Thursday.

The suspect, a young man of Albouystown, Georgetown, is a known character to the police after he was previously fingered in several criminal activities in his community.

However, following the arrest of three other men in connection with the murder of the security officer, they have since identified him as the prime suspect.

Dead: Margarett Dawnson

Upon receiving the information, Police were notified that the suspect was at Stabroek Market Area and

swopped down on the location.

During a confrontation between the suspect and the police, the 22-year-old whipped out a knife and attempted to stab one of the police officers. In retaliation, the police discharged a round, hitting the murder accused to his left side leg.

He was picked up and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was admitted in a stable condition.

Meanwhile, also in custody for the heinous crime are two teenagers along with the taxi driver, in whose possession the woman’s belongings were found.

The two teenagers and

the taxi driver are expected to appear in court in the new week where they will be charged with manslaughter.

This charge was recommended by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) after reviewing the case file.

The 68-year-old woman, a security officer attached to the Professional Guard Service (PGS) of Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD), left home on Sunday evening for work but her body was found lying between two tombs in the cemetery.

The woman’s family along with her employer have called on the police to swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice.

…must prove t used to be said that, unlike us in territories with a British tradition, the US was a “litigious society”. Well, maybe at the level of the ordinary fellas and felines in the street of civil society, that may still be so; but when it comes to governments, the PNC is ensuring that ours is probably the most litigious in the world. Has there ever been a Government that needed to go to the courts to decide what’s the majority of 65, especially when the said Government BECAME the Government when it received 33 seats to the other party’s 32, which relegated the other party to the Opposition??

The resort to the Judiciary probably inevitably crept into the workings of our Elections Commission, not just because the subject of that institution’s cynosure has to do with the already contentious subject of “Who rules”, but also because the institution’s head has been, more often than not, a member of the Judiciary. Sadly, heads of that institution have mostly gone on to become “infamous”, rather than “famous”. It would appear that they lose their Solomonic powers of judgement once disrobed, so to speak!

The jury might just be out on the incumbent Claudette Singh (pun obviously intended!), but she just delved into her judicial background when she pronounced on the status of all the anomalies the PNC’s been alleging as the ballot boxes have been opened for the recount she’d ordered. Pronounced she: “He who affirms must prove”.

It’s good for us that she didn’t use the Latin equivalent, “Affirmati Non Neganti Incumbit Probatio”, which someone of her generation would’ve had drilled into her. The present Administration has enough problems deciphering constitutional commands, like “The President and Cabinet shall resign…” to figure out Latin!!

So, what the good lady is saying, if your Eyewitness understands her correctly, is the PNC will have to provide sufficient evidence to prove that the recount is so corrupted she can’t make a valid call at the end.

While the PNC, as the lawyers say, has the “burden of production”, it doesn’t stop there: they also have the “burden of persuasion”, meaning that they can’t just produce allegations of zombies and migrants voting without providing evidence that’s “persuasive”.

The question, of course, is: Who sets the standard of persuability on what has been produced? When she was on the Bench, the Chair had announced that there had to be a “preponderance of the evidence” - where there’s just enough evidence to tip the balance. So, does this mean that if the PNC provides a death certificate that one zombie voted, that would tilt the scale for them?

Amna Ally thinks so; and it’s said she’s besties with Claudette!!

…should know?

To say your Eyewitness was shocked to see a release from the ex-Minister of Agriculture on matters agricultural would be putting it mildly. Even in the best of times (which, to be honest, should be phrased “even in the worst of times”) Noel Holder has proven beyond reasonable doubt that he is completely lost when it comes to his portfolio.

But here it was, he came out in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic (well, virtually) to assure the nation that all is well in the agri sector. What a mensch!! He was clearly assuring that all is well with our food supply even though there’s a lockdown on. But sadly, he was just confirming that he’s still adrift on the deep Sargasso Sea! How in god’s name can the AGRICULTURE sector be okay when sugar has been devastated by his Government, and its replacement by the development of the interior savannahs, as promised in their manifesto, never got off the ground??

But, then again, at least Holder didn’t add to the PNC’s Tower of Babel narratives! …COVID in Presidential Guards We were told, baldly, that eight Presidential Guards tested positive for COVID-19. Now, could somebody say when this occurred, since in all the reports from the beginning, there was never such a daily spike reported??

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

9 In just 87 boxes, Mingo stole more votes for APNU/AFC than their 4000 margin in 2015 NEWS

SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

... 300+ Mingoed boxes still to go

PPP/C Executive Anil Nandlall

A

recount of the ballots cast in just 87 of the more than 400 ballot boxes that Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo unilaterally declared for the March 2 poll, has confirmed that there was an inflation of figures for the incumbent, equivalent to the 2015 margin of victory declared.

The exposure was given by opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic Executive, Anil Nandlall, who during a media en-

gagement on Friday, told reporters “our latest analysis of Mingo’s fraud shows that in 87 boxes so far, Mingo fraudulently allocated to APNU/AFC a total of 4495 votes and reduced the PPP votes by 758.”

According to the PPP/C Executive, “You are appreciating now the magnitude of the fraud perpetrated and reminded that the “fraud” affected over 400 ballot and we are only at 87.”

Elucidating the point over the 400 contaminated boxes, he said the party has already managed to ascertain that over 4500 votes had been illegally given to APNU/AFC and reminded that the PPP “lost the last election by just about 4500 votes” The recount exercise for the region completed counting an additional 19 boxes, and according to Nandlall, this was among the regions where the recount process is being dragged out where the entire controversy was initiated.

He posited that in such a scenario, the nation awaits the results ema-

Region 4 Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo

nating from the counting stations responsible for Region Four and suggested this was deliberate.

Addressing coalition charges of fraud across the country and not just in Region Four, Nandlall was adamant, “every single being who have their faculties intact; including other members of the APNU team, they know that Mingo perpetrated a fraud, nobody in their right mind will continue to deny that and that is what the recount is about.”

He reminded that coa-

lition supporters and executive members had been gunning for the election re-

sults to be declared using the figures that Mingo had presented and that this

was halted at the intervention of the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

10 NEWS

SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Spike in COVID-19 cases in Region Leguan man dies after 7 worries health authorities tractor topples in rice field T

Public-spirited citizens rushed to the scene as the tractor toppled

T

ragedy struck on Friday afternoon on the quiet island of Leguan, when a man lost his life after the tractor which he was operating toppled over in a rice field.

Dead is 59-year-old Sasenarine Persaud also called “Narine” of Lot 5 La Bagatelle, Leguan, Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara).

Based on information received, the incident occurred at about 10:30h at Waterloo Backdam. Persaud, who is a tractor operator, uplifted the vehicle at about 07:30h

from his employer earlier in the morning.

He then headed over to the rice fields to commence the day’s work. But as he was working, the tractor turned turtle in the centre of the field, pinning the elderly man in about two feet of water.

Another operator, who was operating his tractor about 300 feet away then made contact with the owner of the rice field. By the time persons arrived to rescue the man, efforts proved futile in saving him.

However, with the assis-

tance of public-spirited citizens, the tractor was removed.

Police ranks later arrived at the scene, where the body was examined. No marks of violence were discovered and the body was removed from the scene.

Guyana Times understands that the tractor is owned

by Rajkumar Datt, whom Persaud was employed by for some time.

The body is awaiting an autopsy at the hospital’s mortuary as investigations continue.

he rise in COVID-19 cases in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) is taking its toll, creating worry among health officials that the situation will become more widespread.

Director of Primary Healthcare Services, Dr Ertinesa Hamilton disclosed on Friday that they are worried since there is higher traffic between the mining communities and the coastland.

“The Ministry remains concerned about the increased cases seen, especially in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) taking into consideration that the mining communities have a lot of traffic. With this movement, we can have a wider spread of this disease so we urge residents to follow the guidelines provided,” Dr Hamilton voiced.

After a significant increase in COVID-19 cases over the past week, no new cases were detected on Friday.

The Director revealed that the statistics remain at 127 cases, while deaths are still 10. Some 37 new tests were conducted, adding to a total of 1366 COVID-19 tests thus far. Out of these, 1239 would have returned negative.

In the designated facilities, there are 60 active cas-

Senior Gender Affairs Officer Diego Alfonso

es in institutional isolation and three patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Guyana has recorded 57 recoveries since the detection of its first case.

With no new cases in one day, she urged Guyanese “not to get excited” but instead, continue following the social distancing guidelines while wearing masks.

In yet another briefing, men were targeted as they continue to disobey these protective measures. Senior Gender Affairs Officer at the Social Protection Ministry, Diego Alfonso indicated that these persons should look at the statistics and reconsider their practices. The ra-

tio stands at 73 males to 54 females in the coronavirus bracket. Of the 10 deaths, eight were males. These men are between 16 and 59 years old.

“Let’s pay heed to what the facts and figures are telling us, that more males are contracting COVID-19 even more. Let’s remember that COVID-19 is no respecter for gender or anyone for that matter…As a matter of fact, we as men are more vulnerable to contracting the virus because of the nature of what we are involved in daily,” Alphonso highlighted.

Further, he reiterated that lives are put at risk when people disregard hygienic practices. As it is, males are put at an additional risk due to their daily interaction and the activities they engage in for a daily income.

The officer advised, “Wearing a mask correctly, physical distancing and regular handwashing does not make us less macho or less of a man. As a matter of fact, it demonstrates that we are responsible men and we are being excellent role models to those observing us.”

Globally, there are 4,893,186 cases with 323,256 deaths. In the Americas, 2,166,003 cases were reported with 128,649 deaths.

NEWS

11

SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Democracy activists petition Caricom to ensure observers remain to end of recount …appeal for more scrutineers

A

Caricom Chairperson Mia Mottley

s the national election recount of votes cast on March 2 continues and will not be completed within the given 25-day deadline, the International Center for Democracy (ICD) has sent appeals to the Caribbean Community (Caricom), to ensure that its team remains until the process is completed.

The three-member Caricom team arrived in Guyana shortly before the recount started to observe and scrutinise the process.

On Friday, the ICD also petitioned Caricom to deploy additional personnel to oversee the recount.

“Virtually impossible for the three observers…to cover twelve workstations; and more importantly, provide the oversight needed to ensure that the Region 4 recount is not interrupted or tampered with,” the IDC said in its appeal to Caricom.

The ICD contended that a majority of the Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) ballots, which was at the centre of the anomalies, would be left for the end of the recount. This intensifies the need to have these persons present.

It noted that with 12 workstations and an average of 72 boxes being completed daily, this recount process will not be completed until the second week of June at the earliest. More troubling for the ICD is the fact that Region Four, which was “the most contentious in the fraudulent tabulation is deliberately being drawn out by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), leaving the majority of Region 4

boxes to be counted towards the end of the process. The ICD is formally requesting that Caricom do not withdraw the observers from their mission to Guyana. In addition, the ICD is requesting that Caricom assign additional observers to oversee the recount.”

In fact, the democracy activists shared the view that the GECOM Secretariat and employees under its purview “will not demonstrate impartiality to ensure a fair recount of the Region Four results.”

“The ICD shares the same sentiments of most Guyanese and competing political parties that GECOM and its staff will not be impartial in completing the Region Four recount in a free, fair and transparent manner and most important that GECOM, as a whole, is being compromised and being significantly influenced by current APNU representatives.”

This, it said, was cemented by the Head of State’s refusal to allow the democracy watchdog – The Carter Center – observer mission in Guyana, after several requests.

Caricom’s Chair, Mia Mottley was dubbed as ‘Guyana’s last hope’ to return democracy to the nation and facilitate a clean recount.

“The ICD along with all concerned Guyanese is confident and believe that with additional Caricom observers in the final weeks of the recount, the recount process will be completed in a free, fair and transparent manner and that the will

and wishes of all Guyanese will come through which is to have a democratically elected President and Government of their choice.”

The Carter Center has been denied entry into Guyana by caretaker President David Granger on the grounds of COVID-19 restrictions. However, this is despite other persons – including ExxonMobil workers – being allowed entry into the country.

Earlier this week,

GECOM’s Public Relations Officer, Yolanda Ward claimed that the return of the US-based democracy watchdog is outside the remit of the Secretariat and is solely within the Executive – that is caretaker President David Granger.

She also emphasised that “it is not for GECOM to do advocacy on that part, because it steps outside the parameters of the Commission.”

12 NEWS

SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

APNU/AFC-appointed REO charged for assaulting Region 2 VC

APNU/AFC-appointed REO Denis Jaikarran

T

he A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) appointed Regional Executive

Officer (REO) of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Denis Jaikarran appeared at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court on Friday to answer to an assault charge.

The regional official pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on September 10, 2019, he assaulted Regional Vice Chair, Nandranie Coonjah.

Jaikarran was represented

by Attorney-at-Law Latchmin Dindial and was granted selfbail by Magistrate Esther Sam. The charge stemmed from an incident at the monthly sitting of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) on September 10, 2019.

The court heard that on the day in question, the REO

Chairman and Vice Chairman turned up to convene the meeting.

However, the REO and his cohorts allegedly started to behave in an unruly manner in an effort to disrupt the meeting.

The REO along with his supporters walked out of the

Regional Vice Chair Nandranie Coonjah

and some known members of the APNU/AFC in Region Two were seated in the regional boardroom when the Regional

boardroom after which the Regional Chairman instructed that the door be closed so that the meeting could proceed.

However, Jaikarran barged into the boardroom in a second attempt to disrupt the meeting. It was at this time that he allegedly struck Coonjah, who was at the door

trying to close it.

The matter was reported to the Anna Regina Police and an investigation was launched. It took almost nine months to institute the charge against the REO. Meanwhile, Jaikarran will make his next court appearance on July 8, 2020.

Small businesses in Parika stymied due to COVID-19, elections …ask that Police be more lenient

A

s Guyana continues to battle with the novel coronavirus compounded with the delayed elections

The Bollywood Mall

results, many small businesses at Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), are struggling to survive.

Guyana Times visited the area on Thursday, when the businessmen and women decried the present economic crises in Guyana owing to the present situation.

The public ordinance with respect to COVID-19 states that only “essential businesses” are allowed to operate but according to them, this has made it harder on them to make ends meet.

“It’s going to two months

Parika police come and tell us that we have to close and since then we couldn’t open back. I am frustrated over the situation,” another businesswoman asserted.

Shifting on the fact that many “non-essential” businesses in the capital city are still opened, a barber related that the police would usually come and order him close before the 17:00h curfew time although he has to take care of a family.

“All over the country open and doing business and abiding by the curfew measures

and my small clothing boutique is closed since the police saying that we can’t open due to the virus. What the Government expect us to do?

I have rent to pay, the owner of the building we are renting from said he would not reduce the rent, how will we survive if we have to close? I don’t see the reason the police giving us such a hard time,” one businessman stated.

Another small business owner that operates inside of the Bollywood Mall expressed her frustration of not being able to open since her two employees are affected by the hardship.

“I have two sales girls working for me and since April they are out of work and suffering.

I could not give them employment, what are they supposed to do now. They complaining that they are finding it very hard to survive as they have no other source of income. The

and it seems that Parika is different from the rest of Guyana.

If you pass on the West Coast all of the big stores open, it is only the small businesses in Parika they forcing to close. If you asking us to close, everyone should do the same; not just a few. I am fed up of the police coming here and harassing us to close my barbershop, what they expect us to do….do they want us to go and thief to survive?” he noted.

When contacted, Police Commander/Assistant Police Commissioner, Simon McBean explained that the ranks are carrying out their duties in ensuring that only essential businesses are opened.

“Onto this morning I had a talk with one of those businessmen in Vreed-en-Hoop and if I know that they are not required to be opened and is opened, we will ensure they are closed,” the Regional Commander asserted.

NEWS

13

SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

5 injured in 3-vehicle GDF rank dies after colliding with motor car collision at Enmore A

One of the vehicles that were involved in the accident at Enmore, ECD

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three-vehicle collision on the Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD) Public Road on Thursday evening has left five persons nursing injuries about their bodies.

The injured persons have been identified as Ralph Ramnauth, 62, of Good Hope, ECD; Kenroy Change, 21, of Albouystown, Georgetown; Tishawna Poole, 22, of Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD); Cliff Johnson, 66, of Chateau Margot, and Ricardo De Younge, 40, of Lamaha Springs, Georgetown.

Based on information received, the accident occurred around 19:00h, and involved a black Mercedes Benz bearing licence plate PYY 6534, a silver Toyota Premio bearing registration number PPP 4779, and a white Land Cruiser with registration number PXX 6902.

The Land Cruiser was reportedly heading west along the public road with the Mercedes Benz travelling closely behind when the driver of the Premio lost

control and ended up in the path of the Mercedes Benz.

According to an eyewitness, the Land Cruiser flipped onto its side and al-

most ended up in a nearby trench.

The occupants of the vehicles were pulled from the wreckage and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where they were admitted.

Their conditions are said to be stable.

The accident occurred after 18:00h - the time set by the National COVID-19 Task Force as the start of the curfew which ends at 06:00h, in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Since its implementation, a number of persons have been arrested for disobeying the restrictions.

Also, there have been several accidents that have left several persons dead and others severely injured.

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Dead: Private Kwasi Rodriguez

receiving medical attention.

The rank enlisted in the FED in 2017.

In a release to the media, the Chief of Staff, officers and soldiers extended sincere condolences to the now dead soldier’s sister, Kizzie

Harlequin and other close relatives.

Only recently, a former GDF rank was killed after he lost control of the motorcycle he was riding along the Coverden Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

It was reported that 33-year-old Dexter Cole, a father of one, of Dowding Street, Kitty, Georgetown, and a few of his club members were heading to Georgetown when he raced ahead of the group and fell into a hole, causing him to lose control of the motorcycle.

As a result, he was thrown from the motorcycle and eventually landed on the roadway, breaking his neck. He later succumbed to his injuries.

NIS worker collapses, dies at work

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n employee attached to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) collapsed and died at his Camp and Bent Streets office shortly after complaining of feeling unwell on Thursday.

The dead man was identified as 31-year-old Shovon Gomes of Lot 124 West Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

According to reports received, Gomes confided in a few of his co-workers that he was not feeling well during working hours on Thursday.

Dead: Shovon Gomes He had complained of stomach pains and believed fering from 'wind pain'. that he might have been sufHowever, it was while

the staff was preparing to go home on Thursday that he suddenly collapsed. As such, the paramedics were summoned but they were unable to revive Gomes.

According to a source, the now dead man had been employed at the Insurance Scheme for more than five years.

Meanwhile, almost two weeks ago, the lifeless body of a 53-year-old woman was discovered in the Special Constabulary (SC) Headquarters barracks room on Princes Street, Georgetown.

No definite date for reopening of UG This Land Cruiser flipped on its side during the accident

5 more charged for curfew violation in Linden

ive other Lindeners were charged for violating the countrywide COVID-19 curfew in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Three of those cases were heard virtually by Magistrate Wanda Fortune on Friday, which saw one violator being fined $5000, another being reprimanded and discharged while the others were dismissed due to lack of evidence.

Several others are expected to make their court appearance on June 26.

rank attached to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) was killed on Thursday after he collided with a motor car at Vlissengen Road and Eping Avenue, Georgetown.

The dead rank has been identified as Private Kwasi Rodriguez of Albouystown, Georgetown.

Based on reports received, on the day in question about 10:10h, Private Rodriguez, who served in the Jaguar Company of the 1st Infantry Battalion, was riding his motorcycle when he came into contact with the motor car.

As a result of the impact, he sustained injuries and was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he succumbed while

Since the implementation of the curfew, Police in the mining community have intensified their stance on the deadly virus by conducting roadblock exercises.

The 18:00h curfew measure which is expected to run until June 3, was taken as a form of social distancing in light of the COVID-19 global pandemic.

As such, residents apart from essential workers are mandated to be indoors by the stipulated time and as such, the police have implemented measures to ensure

that the system is adhered to.

Regional Commander, Superintendent Hugh Winter noted that anyone who attempts to make their way into Linden from Georgetown via the BamiaSoesdyke-Linden Highway route after the curfew time will be redirected back to their location or may be required to wait until the following morning.

Additionally, there are police roadblocks set up at various areas across Linden, including the Bamia checkpoint, Amelia’s Ward, the Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge and the Five Corner area.

There are also patrols traversing all areas and according to the Regional Commander, anyone found to be in violation will have their names placed in the curfew book and escorted to the nearest police station.

For drivers, their vehicles are lodged until the next morning. Henceforth, violators are given return dates to facilitate prosecution and virtual court appearances.

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he University of Guyana (UG) has moved to withdraw the June reopening of its campuses amid the COVID-19 crisis.

On Friday, the institution indicated that the Transitional Management Committee (TMC) said that no definite date for the return to face-to-face classes has been announced.

It went on to say that a ‘full-scale return’ to campus before the end of June was not envisaged at present.

However, stakeholders can look forward to an update next week.

Initially, the University had considered dates in May and June for the full reopening of campus. The last announced date was June 1.

In that earlier statement, the administration noted that students continued to face challenges in accessing lectures online.

Initially, the institution had proposed a reopening date of May 6, but owing to the progression of the COVID-19 curve, this date was changed.

Some 30 measures were taken to enhance hygienic practices on campus for when physical sessions commence. Additionally, UG has sought to expand the range of communication mediums to offer better online engagements.

“Despite challenges, the University has never stopped working. It has taken about 30 key measures in the last six weeks to help promote the importance of hygiene and safety and improve its capacity to deliver online. These range from addressing the physical risks by rapidly producing prevention protocols, including producing its own sanitisers, to installing sinks and sanitisation bays, to rolling out a slew of communication tools and applications to enhance the online experience,” the statement had indicated. Meanwhile, the institution has created an internal task force to sup-

port its online system, along with integrating other devices on its teaching platform Moodle.

In order to test the experience of using these new tools, the TMC deployed 'experience' surveys to 5000 respondents and produced two reports.

Over the past weeks, students have vented their frustration about the institution’s response in addressing their concerns.

They have indicated that while many have tuned in for classes, the classes are filled with assignments rather than discussions and actual teaching sessions from lecturers.

14 NEWS

SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

US slaps sanctions on Nicaraguan Army Chief, Finance Minister ...what’s ahead if elections rigged in Guyana

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he United States today sought to further pressure Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega by imposing another round of sanctions, this time targeting the country’s Army Chief and Finance Minister, according to a Reuters report.

In a statement, the US Treasury Department said it had imposed sanctions on Julio Cesar Aviles, Nicaragua’s Army Commander-in-Chief, and Ivan Adolfo Acosta, its Finance and Public Credit Minister.

“The Ortega regime’s continued violations of basic human rights, blatant corruption, and widespread violence against the Nicaraguan people are unacceptable,” US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in the statement.

The Reuters report stated that today’s action freezes any US assets held by the

Nicaraguan Army Chief Julio Cesar Aviles

officials and generally bars Americans from dealing with them.

US officials have previously targeted Ortega’s leftist Government as the Trump Administration seeks to increase pressure amid anti-Government protests against what critics have said is Ortega’s

increasingly authoritarian-style rule.

In March, Washington sanctioned the Nicaraguan National Police over accusations of human rights abuse. Last year, the Trump Administration imposed sanctions on Ortega’s son as well as three other Nicaraguan officials, among others, according to the Reuters report.

“The United States?will continue to apply pressure to? the Ortega regime? until? it ?stops ?repressing the Nicaraguan people,?respects ?human rights and fundamental freedoms, and allows?the conditions for free and fair elections and the restoration of democracy in Nicaragua,” Reuters quoted US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as saying in a separate statement on Friday.

Guyana, electoral fraud

Only last week, US Ambassador to Guyana Sarah-Ann Lynch reminded

Nicaraguan Finance and Public Credit Minister Ivan Adolfo Acosta

that as much as the threat of sanctions hangs over Guyana’s head over electoral fraud, it is an option the United States is hopeful it will not have to use.

Lynch explained that sanctions range in seriousness from targeted measures such as individual visa restrictions to financial measures that could impact the economy.

“You’ve seen some of the statements coming out of Washington. Secretary

[of State Mike] Pompeo.

Assistant Secretary [Michael] Kozak. The National Security Council. They have been very strong. And Secretary Pompeo did point to serious consequences if the democratic process, the rule of law, and the principles of democracy are not followed in Guyana.

“So, sanctions are a set of tools in the toolkit that potentially can be explored.

Decisions on sanctions – first of all, they range from issues of visa restrictions to issues of financial measures. So, it’s a range of things that can be discussed and looked into.

And those decisions are made at the highest levels of the Government in Washington, with the inter-agency fully concurring.”

It has already been over two months of controversy and a credible winner for the March 2 General and Regional Elections is yet to be declared. After two declarations from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, which lacked transparency, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and care-

taker President David Granger had agreed to have the Caribbean Community (Caricom) oversee the recount.

That agreement was derailed when A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) candidate Ulita Moore moved to the courts and secured an injunction against the exercise.

That injunction was discharged by the Full Court and later, the Full Court’s decision was upheld by the Appeals Court. But by then, the Caricom team had long since left. GECOM re-invited them and the recount started last week with the understanding that it would last for 25 days.

In the meantime, countries and organisations from all around the world have said that the earlier tabulation process done by GECOM lacked credibility. This is compounded by the warnings from several Governments, including the United States’, that officials could face sanctions if President Granger is sworn in based on this questionable process.

928 of the 2339 ballot boxes recounted

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t the end of Day 17 of the National Elections Recount, votes from 928 of the 2,339 ballot boxes were recounted.

The tabulation exercise has ascertained that there were 22,042 more votes for

the People’s Progressive Party Civic in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); and 28,128 more for the coalition APNU/AFC. A total of 87 ballot boxes were counted across the regions on Day 17, and this has again led

PPP/C Executive Member Anil Nandall to call for the Guyana Elections Commission to install additional workstations in order to accelerate the process.

Friday’s ballot-box count has been the highest since the process started.

ed argument erupted between them. During the confrontation, the enraged suspect armed herself with a knife and stabbed her partner to his left side ribs, causing him to collapse. The Police, when summoned, found the man lying on his back in an unconscious and motionless state. Shortly after, he was pronounced dead at the scene by a doctor. His body was then taken to the Mabaruma Hospital Mortuary, where it is awaiting a post mortem

examination.

The incident was witnessed by a handyman in the area, and he informed investigators that it was Campbell’s wife who had fatally stabbed him.

The woman was arrested, and during questioning, admitted to committing the act.

The murder weapon – a brown- handle knife – was recovered at the scene covered in blood.

Investigations are ongoing.

Mabaruma man stabbed to death by reputed wife

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businessman of Mabaruma, North West District, Region One (Barima-Waini) was stabbed to death by his reputed wife during an argument.

The dead man has been identified as 49-year-old Colin Campbell, and the incident occurred at some time around 17:30h on Friday.

According to Police reports, Campbell and his 44-year-old reputed wife were imbibing when a heat-

Boatbuilder nabbed with illegal firearm

The shotgun that was recovered from the boatbuilder’s house

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49-year-old boatbuilder is currently in Police custody after he was found with an illegal shotgun at his Jacklow,

Upper Pomeroon River, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) home on Monday.

Police acting on informa-

tion went to the man’s home and conducted a search during which the firearm, matching ammunition and drugs were unearthed.

The 12-gauge single-barrel shotgun was found behind a four-burner gas stove.

When questioned, the suspect revealed to lawmen that the gun belonged to him and he did not have the necessary documents. He was immediately arrested as Police continue their investigations.

ELECTIONS 2020 RECOUNT

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SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Comparison of Friday’s SoRs with PPP’s SoPs DISTRICT 4 STATEMENTS OF RECOUNT

DISTRICT 4 STATEMENTS OF POLL RELEASED BY PPP/C

16 ELECTIONS 2020 RECOUNT SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Comparison of Friday’s SoRs with PPP’s SoPs DISTRICT 4 STATEMENTS OF RECOUNT

DISTRICT 4 STATEMENTS OF POLL RELEASED BY PPP/C

ELECTIONS 2020 RECOUNT

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SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Comparison of Friday’s SoRs with PPP’s SoPs DISTRICT 4 STATEMENTS OF RECOUNT

DISTRICT 4 STATEMENTS OF POLL RELEASED BY PPP/C

18 ELECTIONS 2020 RECOUNT SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Comparison of Friday’s SoRs with PPP’s SoPs DISTRICT 4 STATEMENTS OF RECOUNT

DISTRICT 4 STATEMENTS OF POLL RELEASED BY PPP/C

STATEMENTS OF RECOUNT

ELECTIONS 2020 RECOUNT

STATEMENTS OF RECOUNT

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SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

20 ELECTIONS 2020 RECOUNT SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

STATEMENTS OF RECOUNT

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2020

21

Around the World

OILNEWS

South America a new COVID epicentre, Africa reaches 100,000 cases – WHO

Oil falls on ChinaUS tensions, energy demand doubts

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il prices tumbled about 2 per cent on Friday on rising US-China tensions and doubts about how quickly fuel demand would recover from the coronavirus crisis.

Fuel demand plummeted in recent months as the pandemic caused Governments to impose restrictions on movement and businesses closed their doors. Oil has rallied in recent days as activity started to resume.

But prices dropped after China said on Friday it would not publish an annual growth target for the first time. Beijing also pledged more Government spending as the pandemic kept hammering the economy.

“The coronavirus has nullified a decade of global oil demand growth and the recovery will be slow,” said Stephen Brennock of broker PVM. Brent crude futures fell 93 cents, or 2.6 per cent, to settle at US$35.13 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude ended 67 cents, or 2 per cent, lower at US$33.25 a barrel.

China is set to impose new national security legislation on Hong Kong after last year’s pro-democracy unrest, a Chinese official said on Thursday, drawing a warning from President Donald Trump that Washington would react “very strongly.”

For the week, Brent and WTI gained 8 per cent and 13 per cent, respectively, but some said they may have come too far, too fast.

“A second wave (of the coronavirus) is not such a remote possibility and a new round of lockdowns could send prices back to much lower levels very quickly, and the market knows it,” said Rystad Energy senior oil markets analyst Paola Rodriguez Masiu.

Oil prices have plummeted more than 40 per cent so far in 2020. The recent rebound was due in part to efforts by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies to reduce supply. OPEC+ is reducing supply by a record 9.7 million barrels per day from May 1.

The US rig count, an indicator of future output, fell by 21 to a record low 318 this week, according to energy services firm Baker Hughes Co’s data going back to 1940.

In a sign of the glut easing, US crude inventories fell last week.

Money managers raised their net long US crude futures and options positions in the week to May 19 by 23,229 contracts to 380,211, the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) said on Friday. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Gravediggers carry the coffin of Antonia Rodrigues who passed away from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), during her funeral in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, May 18, 2020

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outh America has become a new epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic with Brazil hardest-hit, while cases are ris-

ing in some African countries that so far have a relatively low death toll, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Friday.

“The COVID-19 pandemic today reached a milestone in Africa, with more than 100,000 confirmed cases.

The virus has now spread to every country in the continent since the first case was confirmed in the region 14 weeks ago,” the WHO said in a statement, noting there were 3100 confirmed deaths on the vast continent.

Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, who is from Botswana, said: “For now COVID-19 has made a soft landfall in Africa, and the continent has been spared the high numbers of deaths which have devastated other regions of the world.”

About half of African countries are experiencing community transmission of the virus, the WHO said.

The situation in South America appeared graver.

Dr Mike Ryan, WHO’s Top Emergencies Expert, speaking earlier to a news conference, said: “In a sense, South America has become a new epicentre for the disease.”

Brazil is the “most affected,” and authorities there have approved broad use of the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine for treatment of COVID-19, he said.

He reiterated that clinical evidence does not support the drug’s widespread use against the disease, given its risks.

Nine African countries had 50 per cent rises in cases in the past week, while others have seen a decline or have stable rates, Ryan said.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Dozens dead in Pakistan as PIA plane plunges into Karachi houses

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t least 85 people have been killed after an Airbus A320 passenger airliner crashed into a residential neighbourhood while on approach to the airport in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi, officials say.

At least two male passengers of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight PK-8303 from the eastern city of Lahore to Karachi survived the crash on Friday, a Health Ministry spokeswoman told Al Jazeera.

There were at least 91 passengers on board the plane, according to an official passenger manifest shared with Al Jazeera by the officials.

Health Ministry spokeswoman Meeran Yousuf told

Al Jazeera by telephone that 85 people have died, with 53 bodies kept at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi's largest government hospital, and 32 at Civil Hospital Karachi, another major state-run hospital.

"Our plane [an Airbus] A320 which was coming from Lahore to Karachi was on final approach," said PIA chief Arshad Malik in a video message released after the crash.

"The last words we heard from our pilot were that there is a technical problem and he was told on final approach that he has both runways available to him to land on. But the pilot decided that he wanted to go around."

The plane then rapid-

Wreckage of the PIA passenger plane crash can be seen in a residential area in Karachi

ly lost altitude and crashed short of the runway into the Model Colony neighbourhood, witnesses told the local media.

An emergency was declared in all of the city's hos-

pitals, already reeling from a widespread outbreak of the coronavirus, provincial Health Minister Azra Pechucho told reporters.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Hong Kong: Pompeo UK contributes US$3.8M condemns China’s law as Flotilla of Iran fuel for gas‘death knell’ for freedoms starved Venezuela arrives Sunday for COVID-19 response in the Caribbean A U

S Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has condemned China's plan to impose a new security law in Hong Kong, calling it a "death knell" for the city's freedoms.

China is seeking to pass a law that would ban "treason, secession, sedition and subversion" in Hong Kong.

Critics say the law would strip Hong Kong of the rights it currently enjoys, that are not seen in mainland China.

Pompeo said the decision to bypass Hong Kong's lawmakers ignores "the will of the people".

"The United States strongly urges Beijing to reconsider its disastrous proposal, abide by its international obligations, and respect Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy, democratic institutions, and civil liberties," Pompeo said in a statement on Friday.

Pompeo's intervention is likely to infuriate the Chinese

Government, whose relations with the US have been strained recently by disputes over trade and the coronavirus pandemic.

A joint statement from UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and his Australian and Canadian counterparts also expressed "deep concern" at China's proposal.

In Hong Kong, pro-democracy activists have been calling for support from Western Governments after China announced the law. On Friday, campaigners urged mass protests over the weekend.

Hong Kong, a semi-autonomous region and an economic powerhouse, was required to introduce such a law after the handover from British control to Chinese rule in 1997. But its unpopularity means it has never been done - the government tried in 2003 but had to back down after 500,000 people took to the streets. (Excerpt from BBC News)

flotilla of five tankers carrying Iranian fuel for gasoline-starved Venezuela is approaching the Caribbean, with the first vessel expected to reach the South American country's waters on Sunday, according to Refinitiv Eikon tracking data.

Iran is supplying about 1.53 million barrels of gasoline and alkylate to Venezuela, according to both Governments, sources and calculations made by TankerTrackers.com based on the vessels' draft levels.

The shipments have caused a diplomatic standoff between Iran and Venezuela and the United States as both nations are under US sanctions. Washington is considering measures in response, according to a senior US official, who did not elaborate on any options being weighed.

Venezuela's Defence Minister said its military will escort the Iranian tankers once they reach the nation's exclusive economic zone.

Iran-flagged tanker Fortune,

the first in the flotilla, was approaching the Caribbean Sea on Friday. It has been navigating with its satellite signal on since it passed the Suez Canal earlier in May. The four other vessels are following the same route across the Atlantic Ocean, the Eikon data showed.

The OPEC-member country desperately needs fuel for up to 1800 gasoline stations that have been partially closed for weeks due to insufficient supply from state-run PDVSA's refineries, which until March worked at about 10 per cent of their joint capacity of 1.3 million barrels per day (bpd).

Over a decade of mismanagement and lack of staff - combined with US sanctions that since 2019 have limited imports - have left Venezuela's refineries in poor condition. Shipments of equipment in flights by Iran's Mahan Air have arrived in Venezuela in recent weeks to start repair work. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

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he United Kingdom is contributing £3 million (US$3.8 million) to the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) to help eight countries of the Caribbean contain the spread of the COVID-19.

The contribution will help Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The funds from UK's Department for International Development (DFID) will assist Caribbean countries to access critical medical equipment and other urgent supplies for the immediate health response to COVID-19.

This new contribution is in addition to the US$9.9 million already provided by the UK Government via the World Health Organisation (WHO) allocations to support PAHO's response strategy to COVID-19 in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The objective of the six-month project is to help save lives and reduce human-to-human transmission of the virus, including secondary infections in healthcare settings, through re-organisation of health services and the implementation of Infection Prevention and Control measures.

It also aims to ensure early detection of COVID-19 cases by strengthening existing surveillance systems and scaling up laboratory capacity. Part of the strategy will also improve the communication of clear and transparent public health information about risks and protective measures to populations on the islands. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

22 NEWS

SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Mentally-ill man arrested Linden toddler died from asphyxiation due for killing brother

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39-year-old man is now dead after he sustained several cuts about his body that were inflicted by his older brother, who is mentally ill.

Dead is Cleveland Hodge of Lot 411 Buzzbee Dam, Craig, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

His 42-year-old brother is a patient at psychiatrist Dr Bhiro Harry’s Clinic.

The incident occurred sometime around 15:10h on Thursday at the men’s Buzzbee Dam, Craig home.

According to Police reports, on Thursday Cleveland observed that his brother had a knife in his possession. He then approached the mentally challenged man with the intention of taking the weapon away to prevent him from harming himself.

However, as he got closer, the suspect slashed him once to his right elbow then his left elbow as he used his hands as a bar to protect himself. The suspect further slashed him to his

left shoulder and under his right arm.

Public-spirited citizens came to Cleveland’s assistance and he was taken to Diamond Diagnostic Centre where he was admitted, treated for his injuries and sent away later that evening around 19:00h.

In the meantime, the suspect was arrested.

However, while Cleveland was home around midnight on Thursday, he complained of feeling unwell due to the injuries.

He was again rushed to the Diamond Hospital, where he was re-admitted and then transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

He subsequently died around 13:39 on Friday while being treated in the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Ward at the GPHC. His older brother remains in custody at the Grove Police Station as investigations continue.

to drowning – PME

June pension payment to begin on Thursday T

he Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) will begin the payment of Old Age Pension at Post Offices countrywide from Thursday, May 28.

According to a missive from the GPOC, an alphabetical system using last names will be employed for senior citizens to receive their payments during the first five payment days of the month at Post Offices in Regions 2 (Pomeroon–Supenaam), 3 (Essequibo Islands–West Demerara), 4 (Demerara–Mahaica), 5 (Mahaica– Berbice), 6 (East Berbice–Corentyne) and 10 (Upper Demerara–Berbice).

Payments to pensioners with surnames beginning with the letters A

to D will commence on Thursday, while those with surnames beginning with the letters E to K will be paid on Friday. On Monday, June 01, pensioners with surnames beginning with the letters L to P will be paid, while those with last names beginning with letters Q to T and U to Z will be paid on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively.

This alphabetical system of payment will be used only during the first five payment days. Senior citizens will be allowed to cash their coupon/s on any day after the fifth payment day.

In keeping with the guidelines provided by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the GPOC will continue to enforce a minimum dis-

tance of three feet between individuals accessing its services. This measure would limit the number of individuals who can enter a Post Office at any given time.

Persons visiting the Post Offices will be asked to wear protective masks and to sanitise their hands before entry.

In April, less than a week after People’s Progressive Party Presidential Candidate Dr Irfaan Ali called for necessary systems to be implemented for pensioners to receive their monthly allowances early, the Guyana Post Office Corporation announced the new system for the distribution of pension payments.

Man dies after falling from veranda during birthday bash

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birthday party celebration ended tragically on Friday after an elderly man fell from a two-storey wooden house.

Dead is 67-yearold Munilall Loknauth

of Better Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

According to information received, Loknauth along with his wife were invited to a relative’s 66th birthday party.

Upon arrival, the man joined his family and started consuming alcohol, however, at approximately 16:30h, the elderly man went up to the veranda of the house, which is about

13 feet off the ground.

Reports are the man was acting strangely before he fell off the veranda.

Police were summoned to the scene. He was subsequently pronounced dead.

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Dead: Keron Abrams

he results of a post-mortem examination (PME) conducted on the body of Linden toddler Keron Abrams on Friday proved that the child died as a result of asphyxiation due to drowning. The examination was performed

by Government pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh at the Georgetown Public Hospital Mortuary. The body of the 10-month-old has since been handed over to relatives for burial.

Reports indicate that Abrams accidentally fell into a bucket of water after he was left in the care of his siblings at his Section ‘A’ West Watooka, Wismar,

Linden home on Tuesday.

Reports are the child accidentally fell into the bucket at about 16:10h. He was left at home with his siblings while his mother, who is a security guard, went to work. This newspaper was told that the child’s older sibling left to answer a phone call and upon her return about 10 minutes later, she saw her younger sibling rushing through the front door of the house with the toddler in her hands. She related that he fell into a bucket of water. The child was rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC), where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

APNU/AFC believes we are all fools

Dear Editor, I hardly comment on political matters but the ludicrous statements that keep emanating from the mouths of some politicians in the APNU/AFC party have moved from being amusing to downright frightening. These politicians have power and their words can greatly affect the future of all of us even if we label ourselves as non-partisan and apathetic about politics.

To begin with, we had the ‘Russian affair’, yet we are still to see the pictures of these criminal masterminds and it was alleged that one escaped and is roaming Guyana! How are Guyanese supposed to protect themselves when we don’t even know what this hard-core, sophisticated criminal looks like? Is there an ongoing manhunt for him?

Now we have allegations of discrepancies in the electoral process which basically translates to allegations of wrongdoings by polling day staff. In the first place, it is expected that before making allegations, the average person is armed with knowledge and evidence

to fight his/her battle yet we have the crème de la crème of Guyana, the most well-educated and influential people making outrageous statements and carrying out despicable acts for over two months now without thought for the stability and unity of the country.

The allegations of fraud and discrepancies on Election Day are without merit and laughable. Where is the evidence? I worked for GECOM on E-Day and I can’t see how a dead person could have possibly voted or in other words, how a person could have taken the identity of a dead person to vote. GECOM staff and polling agents (political party agents) were outfitted with the Official List of Electors and folios which had the photographs and biographical information of electors. Also, GECOM staff had to check the ID cards and fingers of electors. In the absence of ID cards, eligible voters were questioned

by Presiding Officers, and had to take oaths after the team, including the polling agents, examined the folios and agreed that the per-

son present was indeed who he/she claimed to be. Were APNU/AFC agents double agents or in collusion with the entire supposedly pro PPP/C and/or small parties GECOM team? And don’t forget the police officer assigned to the Polling Station.

Also, a person could not have voted twice. When someone votes, there is a process that person has to go through. His/her name would have been ticked off by all on the Official List of Electors and finger stained.

If this person tried to vote again he/she would have had no alternative but to return to the same Polling Station and would have been caught out. The name of an eligible elector is only found on the list and in the folio of eligible electors for one Polling Station and the vast majority of persons voted at a Polling Station in their own village/neighbourhood. Again, it is being implied by APNU/AFC that APNU/AFC agents (supporters of the party) colluded with GECOM staff to give extra votes to parties other than APNU/AFC. If I

were a polling agent for this party I would feel tremendously disrespected!

So, we now move on to the claim that persons who migrated voted. A person who migrated can still be eligible to vote. Some people are very loyal to the parties they support and I can imagine a few wealthy individuals with time and money to spare who are on the Official List of Electors may return to Guyana just to vote. If something fishy was afoot then APNU/AFC needs to produce the evidence.

Unfortunately, I am apolitical and a bit too indifferent to politics so I am not familiar with all the allegations made and the other happenings with the politicians but I did read about the allegation of missing poll books. Honestly, I don’t see what the big ruckus is about this. When the entire electoral process is taken as a whole, polls book do not affect the outcome; it records information such as opening and closing of poll etc.

During the packing up (to leave Polling Stations) after the count and distribution

of copies of the Statement of POLL to agents, various items are placed in the ballot box, special envelopes and in a carton/bag. The poll book is supposed to be in the Returning Officer’s package which is not placed in the ballot box but handed to the Deputy Returning Officer (DRO). The information on how to pack can be found on page 35 of GECOM’s manual for polling day staff.

Cardboards, staples, twine, envelopes, candles, used ballots, tendered ballots and even unused toilet paper (everything) is returned to the DRO who checks off items. Some go into the ballot box, some in special envelopes and the rest in a carton/bag while packing at the Polling Station. We were told stories of persons just putting everything in the ballot box, not filling envelopes properly and the list goes on but it was not intentional or sinister or affected the results of the elections.

The most important tasks for polling day staff were: allowing eligible electors to vote, counting of all ballots for Regional and

General Elections in the presence of all including the polling agents and writing up the Statement of Poll which had to be signed by the polling agents and an original copy placed at the station. Now if the polling agent for APNU/AFC or any other party found faults or wrongdoings during the electoral process would he/ she sign the Statement of Poll for that station?

Wouldn’t the agent report the matter to the party?

Wouldn’t the party request an immediate recount at the Polling Station? Did this happen before the Mingo controversy?

By making outlandish allegations about the electoral process without providing evidence, the APNU/AFC party has shown gross disrespect for the thousands of persons including their own polling agents who facilitated the electoral process and ensured that Guyanese exercised their democratic right to vote for a party of their choice.

Yours faithfully, Narissa Deokarran

SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2020

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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The story of Berbice all-rounder Leon Swamy

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set sight on the Guyanese dream: playing for Guyana at the senior level.

Swamy on Regional U-19 experience

G

uyana has, of recent, been gifted with fast bowlers, and Berbice has been responsible for producing the cream of the crop.

The likes of Keon Joseph, Clinton Pestano, and Tucber Park duo Romario Shepherd and Nial Smith are among those products. Next in line is the Guyana Under-19 fast-bowling all-rounder Leon Swamy, who had impressed in junior colours.

"The experience was okay. Playing for Guyana was something I always wanted to do; opening the new ball for Guyana is something I am grateful for; and picking up the big wicket of West Indies Youth Captain Kimani Melius was something I am thankful for and excited about," Swamy disclosed.

Playing against champions Barbados in that tournament, Swamy had tested the batsmen with his spell of 2-20.

"I have learnt a lot from the older guys and the coaches, and I will always be thankful for this experience, while looking forward for more," Swamy

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nament, Swamy is aiming to represent Guyana with finesse.

"I would like to put all my hard work and skills into this tournament, and emerge on top while helping my team to win. And after (that), I would like to play for Guyana at the senior level."

This youngster, who will turn 19 in November, has been working on his fitness despite the off-season.

"I want to keep working hard, stay focused, and keep praising God. When I have the opportunity to go out and play, I would like to go out there and give it 110%," he confessed.

It has been a challenging road for Swamy. In his final year at Under-17 level, a few years ago, he failed to make the Berbice U-17 team, but pushed his way into the Berbice U-19 team, and further gained a place in the Guyana U-17 Team.

Staying fit during COVID-19

Swamy, standing with the winning inter-county championship trophy

Swamy and National U-19 team mate Kevlon Anderson

The COVID-19 pandemic has currently halted cricket not just locally, but almost globally when Swamy, a lad from Tucber Park in New Amsterdam, has anticipated a strong finish in his final year of Under-19 cricket; but, undaunted, Swamy has now also set his sights on playing for the Guyana senior set-up, and is working hard to achieve his dream.

Swamy rocked the Guyana colours in St Vincent and the Grenadines in 2019, and in his recent interview with this daily publication, reflected on that tournament and peeked into his future.

Like most promising youngsters, Swamy has

posited.

Sturdy and athletic, Swamy is still looking forward to a bright future when he plays his final year of junior cricket.

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223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

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Finishing on a high

Swamy disclosed that he is aiming to finish his junior cricket in a strong fashion.

"In the inter-county level, I want to do my best, to give it 110% in both batting and bowling. I will try to come out with the most runs and most wickets, and to be the best (that) I can be."

Eligible to play in the next Regional U-19 tour-

ricket West Indies (CWI) has begun the recruitment process within the Caribbean to find a permanent Head Coach of the West Indies Women’s Team.

Developing Women’s cricket through the region is a vital part of the CWI strategic plan, and this role remains pivotal as the West Indies Women’s team performances are an inspiration to the next generation of female cricketers across the Caribbean.

The successful candidate will primarily be responsible for: Producing West Indies Women’s Teams which perform consistently with winning performance in ODIs and T20Is through the design and Gus Logie is the interm Head Coach of the West delivery of well-structured and Indies Women’s side progressive coaching programs.

Effectively deploying resources and implementing tactical initiatives to ensure the achievement of superior match results and top placement in all ICC competitions.

Managing the on and off-field development of current and new players through elite player development, health and welfare programmes.

Managing an elite and dynamic team management unit to get the maximum output from the players.

Potential candidates will require an accredited Level 3 Coaching qualification to apply and will be responsible for leading the process to develop and implement standards and protocols consistent with CWI’s overall strategy and objectives for cricket. Additionally, CWI requires that all candidates must be of West Indian heritage.

CWI’s Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams said, “Following the recently concluded Women’s T20 World Cup, we have now begun the recruitment process for finding a permanent Women’s team Head Coach. The successful candidate will be expected to drive our women’s program forward and improve our results across both formats. We are grateful for the efforts of interim Head Coach, Gus Logie, who has led the squad during this transition period and will continue in his interim role until the process has concluded.”Full details of the application available at https://www.windiescricket.com/ cricket-west-indies/job-vacancy-west-indies-womens-head-coach/ . The deadline for applications in May 26, 2020. (CWI)

Swamy has been working tremendously hard during the lockdown, while staying at home and obeying all measures against this pandemic.

"It has been a challenge. You can't really have pitch Leon Swamy, bowling in the practice and so on, inter-county tournament last but I have been do- year ing my personal training at home. I have my personal gym set-up, and my dad has been pushing me daily; so when the cricket starts back, I know I would be fit and ready," Swamy explained.

A fitness enthusiast, Swamy is calling for athletes to keep working hard on their game, while staying fit and practising all safety measures against this pandemic.

-qualifications of Mahadeo, Adonis rescinded

T

he Crossfit Games management have announced that national champions will not have their chance to compete in the Reebok Crossfit Games in 2020. This means that Guyana’s “fittest” man and woman, Dillon Mahadeo and Delice Adonis, have had their qualification spots rescinded.Speaking on the issue, Mahadeo said, “I was definitely a bit disheartened hearing the news (about) not having the chance to compete again this year on the world stage, after experiencing such a stupendous competition last year. I was really looking forward to showcasing all the hard work and training that has been put into this season in preparing for the Crossfit Games, (and) also to have the opportunity to see where I tally up Dillon Mahadeo against the best in the world by improving my ranking from 2019. “Before Crossfit released an official statement, I was prepared for the restructuring of the Games, knowing that there is a possibility we might not get to compete this year; and I believe it may have been the best possible solution for the dilemma we are facing. “However, looking at the bigger picture, I cannot complain. Due to the unprecedented pandemic globally, persons are being affected immensely, and are losing so much more (that) it's fatal for some or for their loved ones. I count myself lucky that my family and I are safe from COVID-19, and this is of utmost importance currently.” “For now, we need to stay optimistic and plan for the future, and come out of this pandemic stronger on the other side. My goal is to keep putting in the same hard work and discipline it takes to get to the next level, and qualify and earn my spot to compete at the pinnacle of our sport in 2021. (I want) to represent my country to the best of my abilities, so I can once again hoist the Golden Arrow Head proudly on the world stage.”This has been stated on the official site of the Games: “We remain fully committed to planning a live competition with live media coverage. At this point, we are concentrating on a competition in Aromas, the original home of the CrossFit Games. We are also evaluating options for virtual competition. We will continue to monitor events globally, and will have more details for athletes and fans in the coming month“The Games will not be a public event. Due to sweeping decisions to ban large festivals and sporting events for the foreseeable future, we are suspending the on-site spectator experience for this year. For fans who have purchased tickets, camping, or hospitality packages, Ticketmaster, who holds these payments until after any physical event, will be issuing full refunds.

CrossFit will be issuing full refunds to exhibitors.”

SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2020

Sports is no longer our game, it’s our business

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-qualifications of Mahadeo, Adonis rescinded Guyana’s fittest man and woman, Dillon Mahadeo and Delice Adonis, flank their Coach/Manager Jamie McDonald

The story of Berbice all-rounder Leon Swamy Swamy and National U-19 team mate Kevlon Anderson

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