Guyana Times International 6th-Mar-2020

Former Barbados PM clashes with P21 Karen Cummings

...following her threat to revoke int’l observers’ accreditation

INTERNATIONAL THE BEACON OF TRUTH

'Electoral fraud'

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You can also read Guyana Times daily edition online at www.guyanatimesgy.com WEEK ENDING MARCH 8, 2020

ISSUE NO. 489

…ABCE countries express outrage over APNU/AFC’s attempt to hijack elections in Guyana See stories inside

‘Blatant theft’

The Heads of Mission of the Embassy of the United States of America, H.E. Sarah-Ann Lynch, the British High Commission, H.E. Greg Quinn and the Delegation of the European Union, H.E Fernando Ponz-Canto

...Calls made for sanctions against APNU/AFC officials

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‘Blatant theft’ …condemnation grows over attempts to ‘hijack’ elections in Guyana

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n what can be described as a clear violation of Guyana’s electoral laws, the

Returning Officer (RO) for District Four (Demerara-Mahaica), declared unverified re-

sults as the controversy into the verification of the District’s Statements of Poll (SOPs) continue.

Guyanese voted in the constitutionally overdue elections since Monday and all the districts, with the exception of District Four, have followed the clearly outlined process of verifying each SOP before the RO made their declaration of results.

Marred by controversy

The declaration of results for electoral district number four has been marred by controversy every step of the way.

Starting on Tuesday, when RO Clairmont Mingo complained of tiredness and suspended the verification until Wednesday. However, on

Wednesday, Mingo fell ill and was briefly hospitalised, which stalled the process again.

Nevertheless, the RO went on to declare results even before the process of verification and tabulation was completed or even recommenced.

This brought strong objections from all the contesting political parties, with the exception of the Governing coalition – which the results favour.

General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Bharrat Jagdeo, said that the declaration by Mingo is in contravention of the law and with record numbers of international and local observers, the Government

Presidential Candidate for the APNU/AFC David Granger

is stealing the elections.

“So instead of the verified Statements of Poll where APNU(/AFC) got 114,000, they now have APNU(/AFC) at 136,458

so they added 22,000 to the APNU (/AFC) column when the PPP was 80,000. Now it’s come down to 77,329; so that CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

4 VIEWS

WEEK ENDING MARCH 8, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

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EDITORIAL

A shameless and backward step

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he events currently unfolding in Guyana have left citizens, both here and abroad, in shock and lost for words, as they cannot believe that what is happening before their very eyes is actually real. Many young persons have expressed, via social media and other platforms, that they had only heard of such happenings taking place in the post-1960 era under the Forbes Burnham-led PNC, when he blatantly rigged elections to hold on to power.

We have seen how the APNU/AFC Government used every trick possible, following the No-Confidence vote they faced in December 2018, to stay in power; and now we are witnessing their refusal to give up power after their obvious defeat at the elections on March 2.

What we have noticed over the past few days are blatant and shameful acts by the APNU/AFC, working in collusion with others to steal the elections in front of the watchful eyes of international and local observers, the entire diplomatic community, and international and local media personnel.

The main bone of contention in all of this fracas, which is being generated in the streets and elsewhere, are the elections’ results. What ought to have been a simple, straightforward process prescribed for in law has been turned into a national crisis and a major embarrassment for the country. The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) finally declared the results of Region 4, after a series of delaying tactics by various employees, but those results have not been verified by the prescribed statutory procedure, as was the case for the other regions.

These unverified results are starkly different from those in possession of the political parties, observers and other stakeholders.

GECOM, more particularly the Chairman and Chief Elections Officer, have failed the nation. They have lost all credibility as they presided over a process which was highly questionable and fraudulent. It is clear from the SOPs signed by all parties in the presence of observers who the winners of these elections are. The process of verification at the level of the Returning Officers, in this case Region 4, should not have had any significant difference, if any at all. GECOM officials deviated from a lawful process, and proceeded to use a spreadsheet document using figures that were at complete variance with the SOPs and which were designed to buttress APNU/AFC totals.

When the dust is settled, a thorough investigation should be carried out into the workings of GECOM; more particularly, the counting, tabulation and declaration of results of the elections. What has happened on this occasion must never be allowed to happen again.

Despite the obvious fiddling with the figures, the APNU/AFC are still insisting that their party has won. For a losing group to claim victory and stage celebratory parties is highly irresponsible and dangerous.

It is not certain what the next steps would be, as the PPP has since secured an injunction to prevent the process from moving forward until the results are verified. However, the GECOM PRO violated the injunction by publicising the unverified Reg 4 figures. If David Granger is allowed to be sworn in as President, it means that Guyana would have an illegal government, and the country would face severe sanctions.

That said, we wish to thank the various observers and the countries to which they belong for their service to Guyana at this critical moment.

Our hope is that they would remain in the country until the process is completed, to ensure that, in the end, democracy prevails. All of the observers were able to do their work with a great deal of dedication, and even insults, as a government official was heard threatening to remove the accreditation of the observers yesterday because they stood strong on the side of Guyana’s democracy.

The fight for the return of free and fair elections and to be ruled by a democratic government was not an easy one; it was long and hard.

We are now in 2020, and we had thought that, by this time, the nation had matured politically and leaders would act responsibly to save their country from descending into chaos and confusion and going backwards. Unfortunately, this is not the case; we have leaders who would hold on to power at all cost, even at the expense of seeing their country being destroyed.

In the interest of the nation, we ask the political parties, especially the APNU/AFC, to let their followers know the truth of the election results to prevent the country from descending into chaos. It is time that sanity returns to Guyanese society.

Co-leader of The Carter Center Elections Observer Mission in Guyana, Jason Carter has declared that there was no transparency or credibility in the Region Four results since the verification process – which had commenced since Tuesday and was stalled at least five times before – was completely abandoned.

Taking no chances with Coronavirus

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s the COVID-19 virus, commonly referred to as the coronavirus, continues to create havoc and spread fear in countries around the world, leading international development organisations are stepping up and are making available millions of dollars to help contain the outbreak of the disease. In addition to the rising number of deaths and infections being recorded, the outbreak of the virus has taken a tremendous toll on not only the international airline industry and public health systems worldwide, but also several other sectors including tourism, business, sports etc.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has since upgraded the global risk of the coronavirus outbreak to “very high” – its top level of risk assessment and has said that there is still a chance of containing the virus if its chain of transmission is broken. The organisation has said that there is a window of opportunity to contain the spread of the virus if countries take robust measures to detect cases early, isolate and care for patients, and trace contacts.

Certainly, this outbreak has challenged countries’ public health systems as many of them are very weak and do not have adequate mechanisms in place to detect or contain the virus if the situation were to emerge. Hence, most countries, including Guyana, would need massive financial and other forms of support to be fully prepared, or to contain the virus. The WHO has since called

for US$675 million to fund the fight against the disease.

Already, this week, the UN released US$15M to the WHO and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to help their efforts to address the disease, and the funds will go towards funding essential activities including monitoring the spread of the virus, investigating cases, and the operation of national laboratories.

According to the UN, the focus is on containing COVID-19 by strengthening surveillance, conducting thorough outbreak investigations to identify contacts and applying appropriate measures to prevent further spread.

Similarly, the World Bank Group is making available an initial package of up to US$12 billion in immediate support to assist countries coping with the health and economic impacts of the global outbreak.

This financing is designed to help member countries take effective action to respond to and, where possible, lessen the tragic impacts posed by the virus. Through this new fast-track package, the World Bank Group will help developing countries strengthen health systems, including better access to health services to safeguard people from the epidemic, strengthen disease surveillance, bolster public health interventions, and work with the private sector to reduce the impact on economies. The financial package will provide grants and low-interest loans and give priority to the poorest countries and those at high

risk with low capacity.

WHO’s Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP) for the new coronavirus lays out activities and resources needed by international health organisations globally aimed at implementing priority public health measures in support of countries to prepare and respond to the virus. The objectives of the plan are to limit human-to-human transmission of the virus, particularly in countries most vulnerable if they were to face an outbreak; identify, isolate and care for patients early; communicate critical risk and event information; minimise social and economic impact; reduce virus spread from animal sources and address crucial unknowns.

We have noted that some systems have been put in place to detect and deal with suspected cases of the virus. It was reported that screening is ongoing at the various ports of entry across the country, including the Eugene F Correia International Airport and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the ministry has been sensitising officials on how to deal with suspected cases of the deadly virus.

The health authorities have assured the nation that everything is being done to ensure that all systems are in place to effectively and efficiently handle the situation, should the need arise. Guyana must continue to be vigilant and fully prepared to respond to any eventuality, this issue cannot be taken lightly.

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Six political parties unite in call for int’l sanctions against APNU/AFC …want restricted travel, freeze of State and personal assets, safeguards for oil money

Representatives from the political parties – People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C); the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP); The New Movement (TNM); the United Republican Party (URP); A New and United Guyana (ANUG) and Change Guyana (CG) – who hosted a joint press conference on Thursday evening to address the issue of the illegal declaration made by the Region 4 Returning Officer

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epresentatives of six political parties last evening hosted a joint press engagement where they called on the international community to not recognise an “illegal” David Granger Administration—should he be sworn in—and for sanctions to be instituted.

Representatives from the political parties – People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C); the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP); The New Movement (TNM); the United Republican Party (URP); A New and United Guyana (ANUG)

and Change Guyana (CG) – who hosted a joint press conference on Thursday evening to address the issue of the illegal declaration made by the Region 4 Returning Officer.

The sanctions being called for are not against the country but rather individuals in the administration—sanctions such as the restriction of movement and the freezing and seizing of assets owned overseas and that revenues from Guyana’s oil reserve be held in a safe account until the country can resolve its current political brouhaha.

At the Sleep Inn International Hotel, the parties represented were the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), The New Movement (TNM), the United Republican Party (URP), A New and United Guyana (ANUG) and Change Guyana (CG).

The charge was led

by General Secretary of the PPP, Bharrat Jagdeo, who also extended a clarion call the Chancellor of the Judiciary and the Chief Justice “to not be a part of the shameful act of stealing an election”.

Jagdeo said too, “we

have to call on people to take a stand”.

According to the PPP General Secretary, every Guyanese should be mobilising and standing ready to fight for their rights.

He was adamant that “we live in a democratic system and there are rules” and that “there is a plot to steal the elections”.

The Opposition Leader accused the coalition of using personnel within the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to execute its plot to hijack the elections.

He was adamant that should Granger be sworn in on the basis of unverified results, he would be “illegal, not credible and would not be treated as such”.

Jagdeo was adamant that after the Returning Officer had purportedly made a declaration, none of the observers or other parties were aware of this development save for the coalition representatives.

That process of declaring the results, he said, was supposed to be done in presence of parties who would then sign onto the declaration.

According to Jagdeo, realising that something sinister was afoot, the Party opted to upload all the SOPs publicly and allow anyone to tabulate the results and was adamant that should GECOM comply with the laws. “There is no way Granger can be sworn in,” Jagdeo said too. He has been in communication with several groups from the international community and there will be non-recognition of the government if Granger goes the route of being sworn in based on the unverified results.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

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Int’l community rejects declaration of unverified Region 4 results …call for GECOM to re-tabulate from SOPs

Shameless…

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US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch

fter the controversial and unverified declaration of Region Four results without verifying the Statements of Poll on Thursday, the international community has united in rejecting the illegal declaration and urging the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to return to the statutory verification process.

This was communicated in a joint statement issued by British High Commissioner Gregory Quinn, United States Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch, Canadian High Commissioner Lilian

main calm and patient and for all leaders to exercise responsibility and restraint,” the envoys, representing the most powerful countries in the world, said.

Appalled The western democracies’ sentiments were in sync with the local business community which insisted that the electoral process that undergirds democratic governance should not be subverted. One of the largest business conglomerate, the Beepat Group, vowed to close the largest mall in Guyana until GECOM resolves the counting issue in

British High Commissioner Gregory Quinn

the 2020 elections results and attempts to subvert the will of the people. It is clear to all that the Chairman of GECOM is allowing without objection the attempts to perpetuate election fraud under her watch.”

“The tabulation pro-

sults. The PSC is clear on the implications of not having a democratically-elected government.

“We cannot allow our country at this time to be isolated and sanctioned by the international community. We call upon President Granger to

Canadian High Commissioner Lilian Chatterjee

EU Ambassador Fernando Ponz-Canto

Chatterjee and European Union Ambassador Fernando Ponz-Canto.

In their statement, the group noted that “based on our observation of today’s GECOM proceedings at their Region Four office and the fact that the full count was not completed, we question the credibility of the Region four results published by GECOM today”.

“We urge the Guyana Elections Commission and all relevant actors to expeditiously complete the tabulation on the basis of the statement of polls. We call on all Guyanese to re-

Region 4. The owner, Roy Beepat, called upon other businesses to follow his lead.

M e a n w h i l e , the Private Sector Commission (PSC) made it clear that they are appalled at GECOM’s attempts to trample on the statutory process. The Commission also noted that GECOM’s actions are occurring under the watch of Chairperson Retired Justice Claudette Singh.

“The PSC is appalled at the blatant and deliberate attempts by GECOM to destroy our democracy by derailing the tabulation process of

cess has certainly raised doubts about the integrity of the GECOM Chair, the Chief Elections Officer and some of their staffers. The threats to withdraw accreditation from the International Observers further erodes confidence in the process.”

The Commission urged GECOM to return to the verification process. It also urged President David Granger to step up and ensure that credible elections are held, lest Guyana falls under the international sanctions that come with being a pariah state.

“The PSC is calling on GECOM to recommence the verification of the remaining Statement of Polls for District 4 that will lead to a credible declaration of the re-

ensure that the electoral process is completed in accordance with the law.”

During an interview with this publication, PSC Chairman, retired Captain Gerry Gouveia, made clear the implications for if President Granger is elected through a rigged process. According to him, the international community could come down on Guyana “like a ton of bricks”.

“We have called on (GECOM) to return to the tabulation process.

They must go back in and finish the tabulation process. Without that tabulation process, these elections will be nil, the President would be illegal and the government would not be a democratically elected government.”

…PNC rigging f anyone thought your Eyewitness was crying wolf when he insisted the PNC would resort to rigging to remain in power, he hopes they’ve been following their shenanigans in the last few days.

As he said yesterday, it was 1997 déjà vu all over again!! They’d already fiddled with the voters’ list to give them a head start with fake bodies. They’d discouraged PPP supporters from voting by placing all sorts of obstacles in their way – figuring that even 5 each from 2300 polling stations would give them a two-seat advantage!!

But like in 1997, they had a Plan B in place in case the PPP mobilised and garnered support way beyond what they’d achieved in 2015. And as this come to pass, the plan kicked in. First, there were a few skirmishes: claiming that Disciplined Forces votes in Region 3 weren’t mixed in at Vergenoegen and some spoiled votes were given to the PPP in Parika. It wasn’t substantial in the grand scheme of things, but it was enough to hold up the declaration from a region that always gave the PPP a big bump.

The centrepiece of Plan B, however, was always going to be Reg 4. It’s where the PNC’s biggest block of supporters are located and therefore provided the most cover for sleights of hand. Or rigging of elections.

In 1997, the PNC had rushed the polling stations, but this time, tipped off by Volda’s “nightshift” call, this was abandoned. So when the declarations from the outlying regions came in and showed the PPP racing ahead and increasing their gap, Plan B unfolded.

The Reg 4 Returning Office (RO) – who certifies the count from the SOPs – after declaring he’d continue through the night, suddenly said he was tired and sent everybody home by 9 pm! Counting ceased!

The fella never showed up till late the next morning and soon promptly declared he was ill and had to be rushed to the hospital. While he was being attended to, the GECOM PRO declared the count had been halted. But when he was discharged and returned to the counting centre, a strange thing had happened. Suddenly, the count from the SOPs was being read off from a spreadsheet, which varied from the SOPs in the possession of the PPP and other parties’ representatives!!

By now, it was apparent that the PNC had to produce over 50,000 bodies to overcome the lead the PPP had built up from the outlying regions. And this was how they’d do it: by violating the very clear law that the RO check had to be done directly from the SOPs!!

This was chutzpah to the max!! Shameless!! …but stymied Because Granger had been allowed to get away with the nonsense about “majorities” over the NCM – even after the CCJ’s judgement declared his moves illegal – it obviously made him believe he could repeat this nonsense in front of the entire diplomatic corps and their election observers!! He forgot he might be a big fish, but it was in a very small pond. And while they might’ve overlooked his shenanigans with the SOPs, if it were in some footnote in a bureaucratic report, they had to act when it was playing out literally in front of their eyes!! This was eye-pass!!

The PPP and the other parties stood their ground and demanded that the law be followed – and they were supported by the observers and the foreign missions. The GECOM Commission met and the CEO had to accept that the counting would proceed from the SOPs. But this is the PNC we’re dealing with and we still cannot afford to exhale. Today, expect them to throw some more curves.

Even after the declaration!! It’s in their genes!! …and shameful Doesn’t GECOM feel ashamed to hear the EU Observer Head describe his experience when he went to one of the cow pasture tents they used as a polling place?

The fella said two cows actually came to vote. Like the rest of us??

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Businesses grind to a halt in Georgetown …as post-elections tensions continue to rise

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he Georgetown Chamber of Commerce (GCCI) is the latest body and locally-accredited observer of the 2020 General and Regional Elections to flay the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) over what some are now calling a “bungled tabulating process” that has led to a virtual shutdown of businesses in Region Four— the country’s main business thoroughfare.

GCCI President Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer on Thursday met with members of the local media corps at the business support organisation’s Waterloo Street, Georgetown office and reported that the business community is particularly concerned over the slothful release of the elections results—a situation that has since been having a deleterious effect on the economy.

According to the GCCI President, “what we need to do is to get back into a normal transparent process” and that the divisions within the fabric of society are being ripped open where “Guyanese are being pitted against Guyanese and tensions are rising”.

He noted that there has been no directive sent out by the GCCI regarding the closure of several businesses since Monday and that these business persons were taking precautions out of fear.

Addressing the business community, the GCCI President was adamant that “we are trying not to say something until it’s true” and that GCCI is “not trying to say we expect major disruptions but when you start getting bomb threats” he asked rhetorically before positing “the situation is fluid”.

“The business community has almost ground to a halt until we get these results,” Deygoo-Boyer said and pointed to a report of a bomb threat at the Office of the Region Four Returning Officer for GECOM. Precautions out of fear

Deygoo-Boyer refrained from commenting on whether the delays in the announcement by GECOM were deliberate save to say “I don’t see a clear push from management, I wouldn’t speculate whether it’s deliberate”.

The GCCI President was adamant that what

was observed was the lack of a clear work plan and executive plan

by the management of GECOM. Deygoo-Boyer told media operatives that there was no clear direction from the GECOM Chairperson, Retired Justice Claudette Singh, or Chief Elections Officers Keith Lowenfield that these officials would only seek to intervene “when these things happen”… “From the top down there has not been enough direction….as a result, process has been delayed”.

He told members of the media that there appeared to be a lack of clear Standard Operating Procedures for GECOM’s staff.

According to the accredited observer, while Elections Day and the first day of the counting

of votes went smoothly,

by Wednesday evening, the situation had deteriorated and referenced attempts by GECOM officials to use a ‘mysterious’ spreadsheet of information which was found to have contained several glaring inaccuracies showing more votes in favour of a particular party, a situation that was not reflected on the SOPs. According to the GCCI President, this led to parties vehemently objecting and as a result saw the intervention of the Chief Elections Officer after which a meeting of the full commission was held.

The count was resumed using the prescribed method of SOPs but a staffer later com-

plained of feeling tired.

The GCCI executive member who assumed monitoring activities for the body at 01:00h the next morning said that by the time the count had restarted under a new Deputy Returning Officer, one of GECOM’s staffers complained of feeling tired after about 15 minutes of counting after which he left the room with a flash drive went to another room.

That staffer reportedly returned for the computer at which point an uproar was created through the objections by the others.

He said too that the Police forensic lab has since been called in to check on the computer to see if it had been tampered with.

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APNU/AFC engaged in ‘vote-buying in Indigenous communities’ during campaign - EU Observer Mission

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he European Union (EU) Elections Observer Mission to Guyana for its 2020 General and Regional Elections is accusing the incumbent A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance (APNU/ AFC) Government of abusing State resources in order to campaign against its political opponents in the lead-up to Monday’s vote.

The observation was made public on Wednesday, when Mission Head Umras Paet briefed media operatives at the Marriott Hotel and said, “APNU/ AFC used the advantages of incumbency to appeal to voters through development programmes”.

He said too, “the Mission saw governmental donations provided in the context of APNU/ AFC campaign events, in particular in Region Nine”.

Paet told members of the local and international media that “in-kind vote-buying in Indigenous communities was a widely reported practice” of Government.

He said the observations “indicated a common misuse of State resources for the campaign” and that APNU/ AFC “used the advantages of incumbency to appeal to voters through infrastructure developments which undermined a levelled playing field”.

Paet reported too that observers saw governmental donations provided in the context of APNU/AFC campaigns, especially in locations where voters were primarily of an Indigenous population.

The EU group cited as an example that Head of State, President David Granger, was observed delivering Governmental donations during the APNU/AFC rally in Sand Creek on February 15.

It was noted too that “several APNU/AFC ministers actively campaigned using State resources in their capacity as ministers”.

This addition to the practice of in-kind vote-buying involved using items such as food and other goods, particularly in Indigenous communities.

With regards the media, the Mission reported that State-owned broadcast and print media are not independent of political influence, “as both their chairpersons and boards are appointed by the minister and have been historically reflecting the views of the Government”.

According to Paet, “the State-owned broadcast media, which benefit from the widest reach in the country showed an overt bias in favour of the Government and ruling coalition”.

The mission documented also that the

EU Observer Mission to Guyana Head, Umras Paet (2nd from left) along with other members of the Observer Mission

State-owned television Channel 11, devoted 60 per cent of its news coverage to the Government and President and 25 per cent to the APNU/AFC. Additionally, “clearly misusing State resources, the Department

of Public Information, a governmental agency was extensively used to promote coalition campaign activities”.

This was done “for instance, through articles and videos published on its website and Facebook

page, as well as via free publications distributed at a regional level”.

It was observed too that the State-owned newspaper, Guyana Chronicle, provided extensive coverage of the incumbent President,

Government and the ruling coalition, also “offering considerable space to letters from readers critical towards PPP/C (People’s Progressive Party/ Civic)”.

UN Women, CDB, Caricom launch national surveys on gender-based violence

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p p r o a c h ing this year’s International Women’s Day, UN Women, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and Caricom have joined forces to better understand how women experience intimate partner violence with a view to reducing and eliminating this scourge in the Caribbean. The three organisations on Wednesday launched na-

tional prevalence surveys on gender-based violence for five Caribbean countries in Bridgetown, Barbados.

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

Following surveys to measure the prevalence of gender-based violence, specifically intimate partner violence in five Caribbean countries, the picture is disturbingly clear: • Women aged 1564 have experienced at least one form of violence ranging from 39% to as

high as 55%; • 28% to 38% of women have experienced physical or sexual violence from a partner in their lifetime; • Physical violence ranges from 25% to 35%.

• Emotional violence, which is usually the most commonly reported form of violence ranged from 29% to 40% of the women surveyed. It also needs to be said that the lack of physical scars makes no form of violence a lesser concern. All forms of violence cause grave harm.

With the support from CDB, the InterAmerican Development Bank, USAID and Caricom, UN Women has invested significantly in supporting Caribbean countries in strengthen-

ing capacities to fill the data gaps on violence against women and girls using the model. As a result, the initial goal of piloting the survey in two countries surveyed has been exceeded, surveying five countries in total – Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

“Support for efforts to achieve gender equality, including ending gender-based violence, is a key priority for the Caribbean Development Bank.

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

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‘Blatant...

will give a 50-something thousand difference exactly what we had. We had 52,000 lead,” Jagdeo said shortly after the declaration was made public.

“So this is the manufactured figure now that went out on the declaration by Mingo.

Fraudulent…so now I expect that the observers would start speaking. This is totally fake.

A fraudulent declaration by 22,000 added out of nowhere. Not verified,” he added.

Jagdeo went on to question the figures presented by Mingo. The PPP/C released all of the SOPs for Region Four and based on that indication, the Party amassed enough votes to take the Presidency.

“They sat and looked at what the size of the margin of the PPP was and then made a declaration to do that without verifying. This is thievery right before your eyes. Now the international community has seen it,” he said.

Recount

Following the declaration of the unverified results, Jagdeo indicated that the party was left with no other choice than to request a recount of the entire region. He explained that they have been unable to officially submit their request to the RO since he left the building shortly after declaring the results.

However, the observers, as well as foreign diplomats, have been briefed on the next step.

“This is totally fake, pay no attention to this.

Check the SOPs for yourselves. See how they are going to get away from all this SOPs. Let GECOM provide the SOPs to support this. Now I think the next move is to deny the recount. Now that the declaration has been made we don’t have the choice but do that to make a request for a recount…if we don’t do that, then they can go ahead and say that the PPP didn’t request anything. We going to request a recount in all the boxes if we can’t get a declaration on the basis of which one were altered,” he noted.

The former President said that in the normal situation, the RO would call out the numbers on all of the SOPs which party agents would verify and accept or raise objections. On the basis of

that, they would request recounts if they are not satisfied. But in this case, the parties were not afforded the opportunity to do that in relation to District Four.

He added that the parties also never received a copy of the declared results nor were they told of it. Rather, they learnt of it via a release from the Department of Public Information.

“This is a blatant theft. We have to be prepared to fight. We are going to do whatever it takes. The international community is here, they are very strong, and they are very upset. This is a threat to Guyana but we also can’t take this sitting down. If we allow this to succeed then a corrupt cabal can take over our country. This is not a banana republic,” Jagdeo contended.

Protests against unverified results Just after noon, reporters were stationed outside of the Ashmin’s building at the corner of High and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown, which houses the Office of the Region’s Returning Office as well as GECOM’s Command Centre, when they heard a loud commotion in the building. When the media entered the building, ongoing, was a shouting match between the PPP/C, the smaller parties, and members of the governing coalition.

The reason behind that was the declaration of the unverified results. RO Mingo apparently entered into the room where verification was supposed to be ongoing, told observers and agents alike that he would be making a declaration of the results.

This led to objections from all of the stakeholders but he still persisted.

The combined parties, with the obvious exception of APNU/AFC, began to protest shouting “No” while he stood from the third floor of the building reading out numbers which would later be declared as the official results from District Four.

Meanwhile, Change Guyana Presidential Candidate Robert Badal said Mingo’s actions are akin to rigging of the elections.

“We really don’t know what is happening because nobody with authority is giving a statement. It is a totally flawed declaration…it

FROM PAGE 3

is tantamount of rigging an elections. We want to see all the SOPs being disclosed so that it is cleared and opened,” he said.

Missing Chairperson

Glaringly absent from the drama that unfolded at the Command Centre was Chairperson of GECOM, Retired Justice Claudette Singh. In addition, the Commission has been deafeningly silent on all that transpired with the tabulation and verification of Region Four’s results.

Representatives from all of the parties tried throughout the day to meet with the Chairperson in an effort for her to oversee the process but the calls went on deaf ears.

Following the declaration, the PPP/C secured an injunction from the High Court to order compliance with the laws but the Chair was inaccessible for those papers to be served.

Later in the evening, Singh exited the building from the back entrance.

Consequences

With the international community safely observing the elections in Guyana, Jagdeo said that the unverified declarations would be met with sanctions – something the PPP/C would see to the end.

Laptop and flash drive fiasco

After the high drama at the Command Centre on Wednesday, that is, Mingo being hospitalised and Deputy CEO Roxanne Myers coming with a flawed spreadsheet, the verification process was suspended. However, CEO Lowenfield sought to restart the process by getting Deputy Returning Officers (DRO) to come out and work. The process recommenced late Wednesday night but encountered difficulties shortly after.

The Data Clerk that was assisting the DRO complained of being tired and it was agreed that they would take a break.

After the 15 minutes break, when work was supposed to resume, the Clerk said he could not function anymore and took a laptop along with a flash drive and left the room.

Eyebrows were raised following the removal of the items and it was later discovered that

Chairman of the PSC Capt Gerry Gouveia outside the GECOM Command Centre

the Clerk was in another room in the building, working on the computer with the flash drive inserted.

P r e s i d e n t i a l Candidate for the PPP/C, Dr Irfaan Ali, explained that it was a delaying tactic on the part of the Commission.

“It is challenge after challenge to get GECOM to verify and have Region 4 results declared. The process was stopped many occasions for different reasons.

The GECOM officer who

was calling out the figures said he was tired.

He came out and said he would speak to the CEO and we asked where was the CEO and he said he was not in the building.

He proceeded to pick up the flash drive and a computer and proceeded out of the room. Moments later we found him in another room with the computer opened, with the flash drive plugged in and working on it,” Ali reported.

In addition, the Parties’ representatives

were asked to leave the room which the staffer was in but they refused.

“We can for no reason understand why we had a commitment from the CEO and there were no internal arrangements made for shifts at that point. Our concern is the flash drive not so much the details…what is suspicious is that it was observed that gentleman continued to work on the flash drive. We took pictures of the screen we were looking at up to the point we stopped. This process needs to be completed,” The Citizenship Initiative Presidential Candidate Rondha Lam said.

Following that commotion, the verification process was suspended until 09:00h on Thursday.

Bomb threat

When 09:00h came on Thursday, no recounting had started. Instead, what the Parties got was a bomb threat.

A s s i s t a n t Commissioner Edgar Thomas told reporters that they received reports of a bomb threat and ordered the building evacuated.

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‘Electoral fraud’

…ABCE countries express outrage over APNU/AFC’s attempt to hijack elections in Guyana

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he Heads of Mission of the Embassy of the United States of America, H.E. Sarah-Ann Lynch, the British High Commission, H.E. Greg Quinn, the Canadian High Commission, H.E. Lilian Chatterjee, and the Delegation of the European Union, H.E Fernando Ponz-Canto, on Thursday, express deep concern over credible allegations of electoral fraud which may influence the results of this election.

In a statement on Thursday, the foreign envoys restated their call to ensure proper procedures are in place to yield a credible election result.

“A fair and free process is vital for the maintenance and reinforcement of democracy in Guyana”, they

said.

“We call on President Granger to avoid a transition of government which we believe would be unconstitutional as it would be based on a vote tabulation process that lacked credibility and transparency”, the foreign missions urged.

Meanwhile the International Observer Missions have also issued a statement on Thursday, in which they stated clearly that the law requires that tabulation must be conducted in the presence of party agents and observers.

“Until this transparent process takes place, the counting of votes recorded for Region 4 remains incomplete”.

Following is the full statement: The international ob-

The Heads of Mission of the Embassy of the United States of America, H.E. Sarah-Ann Lynch, the British High Commission, H.E. Greg Quinn, the Canadian High Commission, H.E. Lilian Chatterjee, and the Delegation of the European Union, H.E Fernando Ponz-Canto

server missions from the Commonwealth, the Organization of American States, the European Union, and The Carter Center issue the following statement: The tabulation of results for the election in Region 4 was interrupted and remains incomplete.

The law requires that

tabulation must be conducted in the presence of party agents and observers. Until this transparent process takes place, the counting of votes recorded for Region 4 remains incomplete.

The transparent tabulation of results for Region 4 must be resumed in order to pro-

ceed to the establishment of national results.

A calm and conducive environment must be provided by the police. We urge all political parties to adhere to the codes of conduct signed by them.

The Guyana Elections Commission, including the chairperson, the com-

missioners, the chief election officer, the returning officer and deputy returning officers in Region 4, must be available and committed to establish the results for Region 4 in accordance with the law.

Until this occurs, the result of these elections cannot be credibly declared.

Caribbean Airlines monitoring coronavirus

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aribbean Airlines has indicated its efforts to monitor the coronavirus outbreak as thousands of persons continue to travel to countries where

confirmed cases were detected.

Headquartered in Trinidad and Tobago, the carrier provides its services across the region, especially in link-

ing Caribbean states and North America.

The airline company indicated that while no travel restrictions have been issued to their destinations, they are still

working with health authorities to ensure the safety of its travellers and staff.

“Caribbean Airlines is committed to the health and safety of both its crewmembers and customers and is working directly with health and security officials as well as industry leaders to keep updated and to ensure that it continues to implement best practice,” the carrier stated.

Thus far, a number of measures were implemented in preparation.

Safety kits were placed in all aircrafts and provisions were made for the air quality in cabins to be monitored. They are also continuing the compliance with aircraft cleaning procedures, as well as the sanitation of polls.

Meanwhile, employees were equipped with international guidelines on how suspected cases should be handled. A special response team was activated to monitor the situation in real-time.

They are also promoting frequent hand-washing practices amongst its

crew members and passengers. Furthermore, contingencies are in place in the event of any future disruptions.

They also added: “The airline is permitting persons travelling on Caribbean Airlines with onward connections to/from mainland China, Iran, Italy, Japan, South Korea and Singapore to rebook the Caribbean Airlines travel segment without change fees, subject to conditions”.

The coronavirus, recognised as COVID-19, has reached a global epidemic and just recently, Guyana’s southern neighbour, Brazil, recorded its first case.

Through contact during travel, a number of flight attendants would have reportedly contracted the virus in other parts of the world.

In Guyana, local authorities would have indicated last week that 18 persons were being monitored at home, noting that 54 persons were initially under surveillance but 36 were given clearance.

According to the

statement, since the commencement of active monitoring at ports in Guyana on January 18, a total of 54 persons arrived in the country with a history of travel from high-risk areas. Some 51 persons arriving from mainland China or Hong Kong were screened.

Out of this number, 37 of these persons were Chinese nationals, 12 Guyanese and one each from Finland and the United States of America.

Two Ukrainians and one Singaporean travelled from Singapore through Europe to Guyana and were also cautiously screened and cleared for entry.

Along with ‘high-level’ monitoring for any suspected cases, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) was equipped with 14 bed units while Diamond and West Demerara Hospitals have the capacity to isolate and manage any confirmed cases.

Globally, there have been over 92,000 reported cases with approximately 3168 deaths.

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Carter Center restates need for non-partisan GECOM Commissioners

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he Carter Center has recommended a review of the methodology previously used for appointing the commissioners on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), noting that having partisan oversight on the Commission may not be the best option.

These preliminary recommendations were made on Wednesday during a press conference called by Carter Centre Observer Mission in Guyana. According to co-leader of the Center’s Observer Mission, Jason Carter, the appointment of GECOM commissioners was formulated

Co-leader of the Carter Center Observer Mission to Guyana, Jason Carter (second from right) along with co-chair, former Prime Minister of Senegal, Aminata Touré and other members of the Observer Mission at a press conference on Wednesday

GECOM CEO Keith Lowenfield

based on the old Carter formula.

“It was later integrated into the Constitution.

As you know, it gives GECOM a partisan structure that was appropriate at the time of that recommendation.

But for the last several elections, the Carter Center has suggested a reconsideration of that formula to increase the efficiency of the Commission and avoid the polarised gridlock possible in the current system,” Carter said.

“So we would urge, as we have before, a reconsideration of the manner in which the election commissioners are appointed. Again, that is a matter for the Guyanese people (to decide),” Carter added.

Another observation made by Carter was the

Six political...

Change Guyana’s Chairman, Nigel Hinds, in supporting the calls of the opposition PPP and its General Secretary, told media operatives that what exists currently in Guyana is a blatant disregard of the Constitution and that “we are now living in a state of lawlessness”.

He pointed to what observers and parties have called a nullified declaration by the Region Four Returning Officer (RO) who would have declared results for the region without first verifying the SOPs as is provided for the Representations of the Peoples Act. Describing the actions of the incumbent coalition as an “abomination,” Hinds was adamant that the coalition government has brought the country to the brink of an emerging dictatorship and “we now have to go back to our colonizers and ask them for help”.

He was adamant that “we need sanctions, we need their money frozen, we need the oil mon-

ey to be put in some special account where they have no access to it….. they need to take a strong stand against this abuse of the democratic system, against the abuse of the Guyanese people”.

The Change Guyana Chairman was adamant that the status quo could only see Guyana becoming an impoverished state worse than Haiti.

P r e s i d e n t i a l Candidate for the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), Lennox Shuman, posited that President Granger had, in fact, telegraphed his position, when on the campaign trail, he announced that Region Four would be the final battleground.

Shuman posited that this illustrates that the President was aware of the plan afoot and questioned the coalition: “if you are so confident in your victory and you are confident in numbers presented to public, why not permit the process to run its course then. At the end of the day, we have results that can stand”.

FROM PAGE 5

P r e s i d e n t i a l Candidate of the PPP/C, Dr Irfaan Ali, speaking to recourse available in the meantime for the parties to explore in order to remedy the situation, disclosed that the Party had already begun initiating moves to have a full recount of Region Three—a process that is catered for under the laws.

The PPP/C would have up to noon today (Friday) to file that request with the Returning Officer.

ANUG’s Timothy Jonas, in his contribution to the discourse in support of the international sanctions, said that this was the only efficient leverage available to the country.

He said the international community should be approached with a view that a Granger administration sworn in on the basis of unverified results should not be recognised and economic sanctions must be applied to individuals.

fact that over the course of election preparation, certain GECOM decisions lacked transparency.

Carter was also critical of the GECOM deciding at the last minute to change the arrangements for the use of private residences. He noted that this could have led to confusion for some voters, who were previously informed what polling places would be used.

“While the issue was resolved, it was only resolved days before the elections, maybe even Sunday. One of the things we wanted to mention was that some stakeholders have linked this discussion to a recommendation the Carter Centre made after the 2015 elections, with respect to private residences.”

The Carter Center, he added, continues to believe that voters should have the opportunity to vote in locations that are perceived to be neutral.

“However, the Carter Center also recognises that in some areas, it

might be required to use private buildings or others. And it has not undermined confidence in the process. However, decisions as to polling stations need to be made well in advance of the election”.

in 1992 might not apply in 2020 and review and constitutional reform are necessary.

The current commissioners in the GECOM are Sase Gunraj, Bibi Shadick and Robeson Benn, who were nominated by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) appointed Vincent Alexander, Charles Corbin and Desmond Trotman. These two sides have frequently been gridlocked over critical decisions.

For instance, there was gridlock among the commissioners last year over proceeding on House-to-House Registration, which eventually led to a delay in the holding of elections in the constitutionally-mandated timeframe.

There was also grid-

GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh

Carter, who is the grandson of former US President Jimmy Carter, stressed that while Guyana adopted previous Carter Center recommendations, times have changed and so has context. He noted that as such, what applied

lock on actually ending the exercise, which began based on the order of an illegally appointed GECOM Chairman.

Eventually, GECOM Chair Retired Justice Claudette Singh made a decision of her own to end the exercise.

Sri Lankans slapped with illegal entry charge

P

reshawn Kumar and Aru Rugam, 36, both of Sri Lanka, were on Tuesday fined and ordered to be deported when they appeared at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Courts for illegally entering Guyana.

The two men admitted that on February 28, 2020, at Springlands, Corentyne, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), they entered Guyana by sea and disembarked without presenting themselves to the nearest Immigration Officer.

The court heard that on the day in

question, the defendants were heading to Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) when the vehicle in which they were travelling was stopped

by Police ranks at the Mabura checkpoint.

Upon inspection, the two men were asked to present their travel documents and it was discovered that the documents bore no travel stamps indicating that they arrived in Guyana illegally.

They were arrested and taken to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, Eve

Leary, and following an investigation, they were charged.

The men were fined G$40,000 each or an alternative of 40 days’ imprisonment. It was ordered that they are deported after paying their fines or serving their time in prison.

Only last week, four Sri Lankans were charged and fined for the same offence.

They too were heading to Mahdia when the vehicle they boarded was stopped and Police officers found that they illegally entered the country.

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Region 4 results not credible - Carter Center

I

nternational organisations that have Elections Observation Missions in Guyana to monitor the electoral process have come out swinging at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for declaring unverified results for Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

In fact, the United States-based Carter Center has declared that there was no transparency or credibility in the Region Four results since the verification process – which had commenced since Tuesday and was stalled at least five times before – was completely abandoned.

In a statement on Thursday evening, the Center expressed deep concern over the announcement of results that had not been verified, thus critically undermining transparency as well as preventing international observers and political parties from observing tabulation. “[Wednesday and into Thursday] the transparent verification of results

Co-Leader of the Carter Center Observer Mission speaking with the media

from District Four was stopped, and the fact that there was no transparency about the results that were ultimately announced [Thursday], means that those results lacked credibility.

We don’t know, and no one else can verify, that the results that were announced were the correct results or not. We just

don’t know, and we don’t know because there was no transparency in the process for announcing those results,” Co-Chair of the Carter Center’s Observer Mission, Jason Carter, told reporters on Thursday evening outside the GECOM Command Centre, which also housed the Office of the Region Four

Magistrate refuses to visit 3-year-old crime scene for Marcus Bisram PI

A

s the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the murder of 26-year-old carpenter, Faiyaz Narinedatt, continued at the Whim Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, Magistrate Renita Singh rejected a proposal for the court to visit the crime scene which is more than three years old.

Presently, Marcus Bisram is at the centre of attention after he was implicated in the murder of the carpenter.

Murder accused, Marcus Bisram

However, as the PI continues, the prosecution had requested its lone witness be cross-examined but the defence argued that there were file photos and videos at hand that can be revisited and as such objected to the request.

In her ruling, Magistrate Singh told the court that the PI is about accessing evidence and not conducting a trial.

“This court is not trying the case,” she said

while noting that it could only be a Judge and a jury that can try the case.

Magistrate Singh recollected that the witness had told the court that he was about 15 feet away from the scene when he heard a sound.

However, she noted that Court is not tasked with determining whether the witness heard a sound 15 feet away but rather to determine if the information provided by the witness could be CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Returning Officer (RO).

According to Carter, his mission had already lauded GECOM for a transparent process following Monday’s polls.

He noted that there was an agreed procedure, where the parties were able to verify the Statements of Poll during the verification but this was ended without completing the verification process.

“These results, therefore, came as a result of a process that we can’t identify and because we can’t identify it, and the other international observers and neither political parties, nobody really knows whether these results were accurate or not,” he contended.

The Carter Center, according to the CoChair, as only observers for these elections, had previously impressed upon GECOM its desire for transparency.

“So, there are opportunities for the election to have credibility, but both sides, all sides – everyone in this country, whether you’ve think you’ve won, which I think both sides have claimed they’ve won. If that’s true then what they want is to win in a credible and transparent way,” he noted.

To this end, Carter asserted that there was still an opportunity for this election to gain credibility, since there are a number of aspects within Guyanese law that could be utilised to return to the transparent verification procedures that had been in place and as such, urge GECOM to abide by those rules to reflect the will of the people of the country.

“I believe that there’s a dispute and there’s been a request for a recount – that’s one option.

Of course, GECOM has to cooperate with respect to receiving that request

and pursuing that by the rule of law. There’re other verification procedures that could be put in place, that were in place [Wednesday and Thursday] … by looking at the Statements of Polls,” Carter posited.

He pointed out that the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, had on Wednesday implemented a system for the verification of the SoPs that was effective for all the parties.

The Carter Center’s calls for the resumption of the verification process in a transparent manner were echoed by the other international observer missions in Guyana.

The European Union (EU) Election Observation Mission (EOM) said in a statement, also on Thursday, that having been observing the tabulation process for Region Four since the March 2 polling day, the Returning Officer declared results before the legally required tabulation process was completed.

“We, therefore, urge the Guyana Elections Commission to resume the tabulation of results for Region Four in compliance with Section 84 of the Representation of the People Act,” the EU EOM stated. Meanwhile, the OAS Electoral Observation Mission in Guyana said that the Mission was present during the several efforts to review and verify the Statements of Poll in Region Four. It added that although results were announced, the Mission notes that the process did not reach its proper conclusion as stipulated in the electoral code and that, subsequently, the results published by GECOM do not meet the established standards.

The Mission stated that it also notes that le-

gal remedies were pursued by the Opposition People’s Progressive Party /Civic (PPP/C) but that these were unsuccessful.

“The OAS calls for this impasse to be resolved peacefully, employing the relevant provisions in the law. Published results should not be acted upon until that time.

The courts should determine the best possible way forward. Any solution should be open and transparent and guarantee that all parties involved in this election have access to the maximum opportunities for redress under the law,” the statement read.

Additionally, the Caribbean Community (Caricom) expressed concern about the allegations being made about the Guyana elections with respect to the tabulation of results based on the SOPs in Region Four.

“The Community calls on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to ensure that all legal and procedural processes are faithfully complied with in respect of the vote count and the declaration of results to ensure that the outcome of the polls expresses the will of the people of Guyana. We call on all parties and Guyanese to remain calm while these issues are resolved,” the regional bloc said in a missive.

Meanwhile, the Commonwealth itself made it clear that it wanted GECOM to go back to tabulating from the SOPs. According to Chairman of the Commonwealth observer group, Owen Arthur, the process is still not complete.

“It is the clear view of the group that the tabulation of the final election results has not yet been completed and verified according to the established procedures and relevant legal statutory provisions,” the former Barbadian Prime Minister asserted.

He went on to stress: “We strongly urge the Guyana Elections Commission and all parties involved to ensure the process properly follows the legal steps dictated by the laws of Guyana and is in line with the country’s international commitments.”

The Commonwealth has been lending support to GECOM in preparation for these March 2020 General and Regional Elections and had deployed two senior electoral advisers to assist the local elections body.

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PPP files injunction to block declaration of unverified results

…GECOM officials in contempt as it defies injunction

T

he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) on Thursday obtained an injunction from the High Court of Guyana to stop the declaration of unverified results in District Four (DemeraraMahaica Region).

This move was taken after Returning Officer (RO) Clairmont Mingo attempted to declare the regional results from Monday’s poll without completing the verification of the Statements of Poll – a process that had been halted several times since Wednesday.

Representatives from the various political parties that contested Monday’s elections as well as both local and international observers had staked out at the GECOM Command Centre, which also housed the Office of the Region Four RO. A series of events on Wednesday and throughout the night had risen suspicions and tension among those persons who remained in the building to see that the verification process was completed.

But an attempt on Thursday morning by Mingo to declare the region’s results without completing the verification process caused an uproar in the building as the representatives from the various parties, with the exception of the APNU/AFC coalition, objecting to this.

This forced the PPP/C to immediately move to the courts.

The injunction was filed by former Attorney General Anil Nandlall on behalf of a private citizen, Reeaz Holladar, and named RO Mingo, the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield

Former AG Anil Nandlall speaking with the media

and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) as respondents.

The application was heard and granted by High Court Judge, Justice Navindra Singh, who ordered that the declaration be halted until all the procedures outlined in the Laws of Guyana were followed.

“It is HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED THAT an injunction be and is hereby granted restraining the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), either by itself, its servants and/or its agents, and each and every one of them, from in any manner whatsoever, declaring the total number of valid votes of electors for each List of Candidates recorded in the Guyana National and Regional Elections 2020, until and unless the Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo,

Election District Number Four… and/or the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, complies with and ensure the compliance of the process set out by the provision, letter and spirit of Section 84 of the Representation of the People Act, Capt.

1:03, Laws of Guyana.”

After obtaining the injunction, Nandlall was accompanied by two Marshalls from the High Court to serve the order on the parties. They arrived at the GECOM Command Centre sometime after 16:00h.

However, they were unable to serve the court order since Mingo had already left the premises, while Lowenfield was not seen for most of the day.

Persons claimed that he was in the building but no one could access him.

Meanwhile, the GECOM Chairperson, Retired Justice Claudette Singh, was in the building reportedly

being held “hostage” in a room with little to no access to her.

Instead, the Marshalls served the order to the Commissioners attached GECOM. But this was done in vain as the declaration had already taken place.

Parties’ representatives and even the international, as well as local observers who were in the Command Centre, had reported not witnessing this exercise.

Then, at about 17:30h, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of GECOM, Yolanda Ward, shared copies of the declaration, which indicated the number of votes each party would have gotten – figures which completely differed from those the PPP/C has insisted it obtained in Region Four.

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NEWS IN PHOTOS 15

High drama oustide GECOM Command Centre

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No evidence of fake IDs being sold or used on E-Day - Police Commander was a legitimate voter; however, the polling station that he was accused of visiting and operating abnormal was not the polling station that he was slated to vote but the polling station that I met him, he was a legitimate voter there,” the Commander said.

However, according to the Police, the man accused was, in fact, assist-

ing a legitimate voter to find his polling station.

The legitimate voter confirmed that his name was on the voters’ list at that polling station and the man accused was helping him find his station.

This resulted in the protest, which eventually had to be quelled by the Police.

Magistrate refuses to visit...

FROM PAGE 12

N

The situation at Patentia area, West Bank Demerara (WBD) on Monday

o evidence has been produced that persons were selling, distributing or using fake identification (ID) cards in the Good IntentPatentia area, West Bank Demerara (WBD), on Elections Day.

This is according to Police Commander of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Assistant Police Commissioner Simon McBean, who told Guyana Times International on Tuesday that those alle-

gations were investigated and no proof was garnered by investigators.

He explained that when ranks were summoned to the area where protesters had gathered and levelled such accusations, the male whom the allegation was made

against was thoroughly investigated.

“No one was arrested. A statement was taken from him but he was never arrested. Thus far, the Police hasn’t any evidence to support the allegation specifically of the use of fake ID cards. He

used as evidence against Bisram.

The Magistrate sited several cases in explaining the Court’s decision not to visit the scene while adding that there were no complications in the evidence before the Court.

According to the Magistrate, an application to visit the scene was a premature one.

“There is no uncertainty with the evidence.

The main objective is that the witness claimed that he heard and a visit to the scene would not assist in determining if the witness heard what

There are several International Observer groups in Guyana overseeing the March 2 General and Regional Elections

he said he heard.”

Meanwhile, State Prosecutor Stacy Goodings was absent but Attorney-at-law Mondel Moore substituted for her. In addition, the two lead defence attorneys were also absent.

Attorney-at-Law Glen Hanoman who is also a part of the defence team told the court that his colleague Sanjeev Datadin was engaged with some matters at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) while Dexter Todd was at the High Court.

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UK company says first wells in Canje Block to be drilled soon

T

he Canje Block is expected to have its first wells drilled this year, according to investment company Westmount Energy. In fact, at least two wells, the Bulletwood and Jabillo, have been earmarked by the operators.

Westmount energy had partnered with JHI Associates Inc (JHI), which together with Mid-Atlantic Oil and Gas Inc (MOGI), have interests in the Canje Block. The two companies acquired the block in March 2015, after three years of negotiations.

According to a recent report from Westmount, it has been able to increase its equity position in JHI to three per cent of the share capital issued as of December 21, 2018. It noted that JHI’s main asset is its 17.5 per cent carried interest in the block.

“As a result of a farm-in by Total, announced in February 2018, JHI is carried for the drilling of up to four wells and is funded for the drilling of additional wells,” the company also said in its report.

“It is anticipated that the first wells in the Canje Block will be drilled in early 2020, with Total recently indicating that the Bulletwood and Jabillo prospects, located in the north-west portion of the block, as the most likely initial drilling targets.”

The Canje Block is

just one of several exciting blocks at play offshore Guyana. There is the best known Stabroek Block. So far, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), Exxon’s local subsidiary, has made 16 oil finds in the Stabroek Block some 100 miles offshore Guyana, including four for this year.

Last year, the company made five discoveries. These discoveries have pushed the total estimated recoverable barrels of oil equivalent to over six billion.

In addition, Exxon is moving ahead with its Liza phase two project, which will contain approximately 30 wells.

It made one discovery, the Uaru discovery which was announced in January 2020.

Uaru is ExxonMobil’s 16th oil discovery in the Stabroek Block.

The Uaru-1 well was drilled in a new reservoir, encountering approximately 94 feet (29 metres) of high-quality oil-bearing sandstone reservoir and was drilled in 6342 feet (1933 metres) of water.

Meanwhile, there is British-based Tullow which operates the Orinduik Block with a 60 per cent stake, while Total and Eco Atlantic each hold 15 per cent and Qatar Petroleum has the remaining 10 per cent. It also has a minority stake in the adjacent Repsol-operated Kanuku Block.

Guyana basin

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Former Barbados PM clashes with Karen Cummings

...following her threat to revoke int’l observers’ accreditation

I

n a move that completely stunned stakeholders and attracted the wrath of at least one Elections Observer Mission in Guyana, former Foreign Affairs Minister Karen Cummings on Thursday morning threatened to revoke the accreditation of foreign organisations to observe the 2020 General and Regional Elections.

The threat was issued during a meeting with some observers at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Command Centre at High and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown amid much commotion following a fifth dramatic delay in the verification of the results for Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

Cummings, a candidate for the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC), was accused of trying to intimidate the international missions that are keenly observing the electoral process in Guyana.

She told the international observers that she was instructed to withdraw their accreditation, but she was not in agreement that it should be

Dr Karen Cummings being confronted by Head of the Commonwealth Observer Mission, Owen Arthur

done; she did not reveal who gave her those instructions and why.

However, her comments were quickly countered by observers in the room, who argued that her remarks are considered a form of intimidation.

“It comes across as intimidation that you are trying to intimidate the observers when you speak about taking away accreditation,” one of the observers is heard saying.

Thereafter, the APNU/AFC representative attempted to apologise, saying “the last word you are hearing from me is to continue doing your job”.

To which, the person responded by saying that “it doesn’t take away from the fact that you made a threat that you were told to take away accreditation”.

At this point, Head of the Commonwealth Observer Mission in Guyana, former Prime

Ethnic relations body warns of consequences of race-baiting and inciting

A

s Guyana’s 2020 Electoral processes wind down, the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has had cause to issue a warning, reminding stakeholders awaiting results of the consequences of race-baiting and inciting. The Commission has since urged stakeholders, “to act in a responsible manner and to be reminded of consequences that can be brought to bear through the Racial Hostility and The Representation of the People Acts”.

The Commission issued the warning in a public missive yesterday and said that “as the country awaits the final results, the Commission remains mindful of prevailing anxieties. It fervently hopes that the results will be announced within the shortest possible time and that it will be respected.

“The rejection of hatred and intolerance takes the collective efforts of all…The

Commission encourages all, especially during this period, to do the best we can to ensure that peace and harmony prevail.”

It was noted, however, that the Commission is also mindful of racially inciting exchanges on social media and said: “such posts are extremely harmful to the process of building harmony and tolerance which are crucial during this sensitive period”.

Meanwhile, the body also reported that having observed the electoral process in some poll-

ing stations in parts of Regions Three, Four, Five, Six, and 10, “has found it, despite some minor hiccups in a few instances, to be free, fair and transparent”.

The ERC said that overall, voters were able to cast their ballots in an atmosphere of peace while few instances which necessitated the intervention of law enforcement were timely resolved.

It added that a more detailed report will be provided after the completion of the entire process.

Minister of Barbados Owen Arthur intervened and confronted the former Foreign Affairs Minister.

“I speak on behalf of the Commonwealth, the largest organisation of people in the world, and I am not going to have, not me, the Commonwealth disrespected by a threat to take away the accreditation,” Arthur declared.

Dr Cummings then attempted to apologise.

But Arthur posited that “I am going to speak

to the Commonwealth Secretary-General shortly…and I have a duty to her to report accurately and I cannot now avoid speaking accurately”.

Moreover, at one point, Arthur held out his accreditation badge to Cummings, saying that he would hand it involuntarily.

As the Head of the Commonwealth Mission continued speaking, Cummings was handed a cell phone by Deputy Chief Elections Officer

Roxanne Myers. She began talking to someone on the line and then she was heard saying, “okay, I am coming out”.

Dr Cummings then exited the room.

In brief remarks on the situation during an interview with members of the international and local media earlier in the day, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo described the act as “obscene”.

After Dr Cummings began to receive many criticisms, the APNU/ AFC released a statement, claiming that her comments were misunderstood.

“It has been brought to our attention that comments made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Karen Cummings to Members of the International Observer Missions are being shared on social media. We wish to make it clear that the Government of Guyana welcomes the presence of all Observer Missions and are open to their recommendations. We regret any misunderstanding the comments of the Foreign Affairs Minister may have caused,” the APNU/AFC said.

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First-time youth voters turn out in large numbers

By Lakhram Bhagirat

C

asting your first ballot as an eligible voter is one of the most memorable parts of being an adult and on Monday, thousands of youngsters made their maiden voyages to various polling places across Guyana and marked their first ‘X’ cementing their status as an eligible voter.

Guyana hosted its long-overdue General and Regional Elections on March 2, 2020, and one thing that was clearly visible was the enthusiasm of the youth voters.

The youngsters made the effort to get up a bit earlier, since it was a National Holiday, and join long lines of voters just for the opportunity to ensure that their choices were noted.

Throughout the count, youths encouraged each other and even went as

Marcia Ramjohn

with a number of those youth voters who related their experiences. The overall report that came from them was that the process was fairly smooth and the jittery feeling of marking their ‘X’ next to the political party of their choice was “totally worth it”.

First-time voter, Satram Mohammed

Unique Bremner

far as accompanying their friends to the polling places.

Guyana Times International caught up

made voting his first priority on Monday. He shared the special moment with his mother in tow as he made his

way to the La Grange Primary School on the West Bank of Demerara.

“To me, the process was pretty straight forward. I went to query and then was directed to the right room to vote…

I’ve noticed that mostly the older folks were confused and pushed from room to room though which was a bit troubling,” he related.

Another excited first-timer was Andy Alfred. The youth said as a first-time voter, his expectations of a lengthy process was high but he was in for a surprise. He thoroughly enjoyed the ability to exercise his franchise in choosing the leaders he wants to represent him as Guyana develops into one of the frontier nations in the western hemisphere.

“I voted at the Novar Nursery School and the process was quite simple to follow. As a first time voter, I thought the process would have been more lengthy and difficulty but it was the opposite. Within five minutes I was in and out of the Polling Station,” he recounted.

Marcia Ramjohn, who was an eligible voter

since the last elections, chose this critical election to exercise her right to vote. She, as a firsttime voter, found the process to be very simple and encouraged her fellow youth to ensure that they always exercise their democratic right to vote. She noted that having the ability to show leaders of Guyana that they need to be servants of the people and not the masters is one that she will forever hold in high regard.

“It was a distinct honour to be given the right to vote, since citizens in some countries aren’t given the opportunity to vote. The voting process at Mc Gill Centre, Canal No 1 can be described as peaceful and smooth flowing.

Although I won’t disclose the political party I voted for, I’ll say I voted for a prosper-

Latifah Henry

think is best to rule our country,” she said.

On the opposite side, the East Coast of Demerara, the youngsters were also out in their numbers. They joined their elders in the tradition of beating

Satram Mohammed

ous Guyana. To the party that wins, I hope you uphold your promises in the manifesto to improve the daily lives of every Guyanese citizen because we the youths are watching you,” first-time voter Anjalie Ramraj said.

In the mining town of Linden, Region 10, the youths were seen at the polling places throughout the day. This newspaper caught up with Unique Bremner, who explained that the process was very straightforward for her. She related that she was afforded the opportunity to be a part of the Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM) training as a Polling Clerk, hence the ease in which she cast her ballot.

“It is my first time voting. It was easier than I thought it would be as a first-time voter. I was expecting more like a whole long process but it was quite simple.

Vote because your voice is being heard. I believe this is the opportunity to choose the President you

the drums and blowing the horns to awaken the village. This practice is an age-old tradition on Elections Day and serves as an alarm for eligible voters.

inhabitants. The activity would start around 03:30h, which would allow the eligible voters time to prepare themselves before they head to the polls for 06:00h.

Latifah Henry, a firsttime voter who cast her ballot at Belfield, ECD related: “You know like long ago your parents use to tell you that is always about this whole big fuss and ranting? To me it’s really very peaceful, you just go in and do your thing and that’s it.

It’s like saying ‘I am a taxpayer, finally’. It feels so good, it is a good experience honestly. My PO was really good, I didn’t have an ID card, it was not as hard as people would expect it to be.”

Over at Golden Grove, Rickell Seaforth said he was very excited to be able to vote for the first time. He voted at the Golden Grove Secondary to a fast process.

“It was my first time voting and It was very simple. I was a little nervous since it was my first time. The process was what I expected. There were no problems at all”, he explained.

Anjalie Ramraj

The beating of the drums and blowing of the horns are powerful enough to penetrate the walls of the community’s houses and wake up its

Over 600,000 eligible voters were on the Official List of Electors.

(Additional reporting

by Utamu Belle and LaWanda McAllister)

NEWS 23

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Gary Best charged for causing death of national cyclist application presented by Attorneys Nigel Hughes and James Bond. Best was granted G$500,000.

Further, Best was then escorted to the courtroom of Magistrate Clive Nurse to answer to another charge, which alleged that on the same day at the same location, he drove while under the influence of alcohol.

The court heard that a breathalyser test done on Best revealed that his alcohol level was .85 micrograms. He

nonetheless denied the charge and was released on self-bail. The case will continue on March 17. As a condition for bail, he is required to report to the Police Force’s Traffic Headquarters on specified dates until the completion of his trial.

The 41-year-old cyclist died after being struck down by Best in an early morning accident on the Rupert Craig Highway, in the vicinity of the Russian Embassy.

Best, who was ar-

Dead: Jude Bentley

rested by Police, com-

plained of feeling unwell and was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was treated for cardiovascular ailments and trauma under Police guard.

He was later released on G$100,000 station bail.

On February 18, family and friends of the late Bentley picketed the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, calling for charges to be initiated against Best as they somewhat believed that the justice was being delayed.

Miner shot dead by security guard

A A

Charged: PNCR executive Gary Best

lmost one month after national cyclist Jude Bentley was struck and killed on the Rupert Craig Highway, executive member of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Retired Rear Admiral Gary Best, who is accused of causing his death, was finally arraigned on Wednesday at the Georgetown

Magistrates’ Courts.

Best was not required to plea to the charge which detailed that on February 8, 2020, at Clive Lloyd Drive, Georgetown, he drove motorcar PRR 8182 in a dangerous manner to the public, thereby causing the death of Bentley.

Magistrate Faith McGusty heard the matter and accepted a bail

24-year-old miner was shot and killed by a gun-toting security guard at Black Water Backdam, Kanawaruk, Mahdia, Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni) on Wednesday evening.

The deceased has been identified as Akeem Caesar of Wismar, Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice).

Prior to the man’s death, he had been imbibing with his friends at a popular bar in the area when an argument erupted between himself

and another man.

The verbal row quickly escalated into an altercation which saw a 21-year-old miner intervening and stopping them.

However, after the fight ended, Caesar and

his friends headed to their mining camp.

Nonetheless, at about 23:30h, the now-dead man and his 21-year-old friend stopped along the roadway and were conversing when they were confronted by a man car-

rying a shotgun.

The gunman, identified as a security guard commonly referred to as “Tallman”, allegedly shot Caesar to his left foot and gun-butted him. He then fled the scene.

Caesar was immediately picked up and taken to the Mahdia District Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

His body is presently at the hospital’s mortuary awaiting a Post-Mortem as Police continue their hunt for the suspect who remains on the run.

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FEATURE 29

The Legend of Holi

– Story of Prahlad and Holika Prahlad b u t Lord

O

ne of the foundational principles of Hindusim is good only begotten good and it is instilled in the minds of all Hindus from a young age. They are taught to do good deeds as a way of life. They are taught that one’s soul only attains Moksha (liberation in this life) through good karma (deeds). Around this time, we are quite often reminded about the consequences of good karma with the celebration of Holi-the festival

of colours.

Holi or Phagwah as we know it is the Spring Festival celebrated on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna (Phalguna Purnima), which usually falls in the later part of February or March.

There are several legends, depending on the various areas you are living in. However, the most common legend is the story of young Prahlad and his evil aunt Holika signifying the triumph of good over evil.

The Legend

There was once a demon king by the name of King Hiranyakashyapu who won over the Kingdom of Earth through years of prayers. He was the King of the demonic Asuras and according to the Bhagavata Purana he was granted a boon (wish) that he could be killed by neither a human being nor an animal, neither indoors nor outdoors, neither at day nor at night, neither by astra (projectile weapons) nor by any shastra (handheld weapons), and neither on land nor in water or air.

After he received his boon, Hiranyakashyapu became so egoistic that he commanded everybody in his kingdom to worship only him. But to his great disappointment, his son, Prahlad became an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu-the sustainer of the universe and refused to worship his father.

Hiranyakashyapu tried several ways to kill his son

Vishnu s a v e d him every time.

Finally, he asked his sister, Holika to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap. For, Hiranyakashyapu knew that Holika had a boon, whereby, she could enter the fire unscathed.

Treacherously, Holika coaxed young Prahlad to sit in her lap and she herself took her seat in a blazing fire. The legend has it that Holika had to pay the price of her sinister desire by her life. Holika was not aware that the boon worked only when she entered the fire alone.

Prahlad, who kept chanting the name of Lord Vishnu while in the fire with his aunt, came out unharmed, as the lord blessed him for his extreme devotion. Thus, Holi derives its name from Holika. And, is celebrated as a festival of victory of good over evil.

Holi is also celebrated as the triumph of a devotee. As the legend depicts that anybody, howsoever strong, cannot harm a true devotee and those who dare torture a true devotee of god shall be reduced to ashes.

After the fire destroyed the evil Holika, King Hiranyakashyapu became enraged and attempted to kill Prahlad himself. However, Vishnu, the god who appears as an avatar (form) to restore Dharma in Hindu beliefs, took the form of Narasimha - half human and half lion, at dusk (when it was neither day nor night), took Hiranyakashyapu at a doorstep (which was neither indoors nor outdoors), placed him on his lap (which was neither land, water nor air), and then eviscerated and killed the king with his lion claws (which were neither a handheld weapon nor a launched weapon).

Sanskrit.

It is believed that the word Holi or Holika is derived from Holka or grains. These parched grains were used to perform 'hawana' or sacred fire.

The sacred ash obtained from this fire ritual was

known as the Bhumi Hari. This ash was smeared on the forehead of the person participating in the ritual to keep away evil spirits. Till date, this ritual of offering food grains to the bonfire is followed.

The preparations of Holika Dahan start 40 days before the festival. People gather twigs, logs, dry leaves etc. Then on the night of Phalgun Purnima, the bonfire is set alight amidst chanting of the

Holika Dahan

Holika Dahan or the burning of Holika will take place across Guyana on the night before the Phagwah celebrations. The festival of Holi gets its name from this very ritual of Holika Dahan.

The phrase Holika Dahan literally means burning Holika. The day when Holika is burnt is also known as Choti Holi or small Holi. The people create a bonfire on this day and celebrate the triumph of good over evil.

It is stated in the Vedas that one day before the Holikotsav a sacred fire was burnt and specific mantras to ward off evil were recited during the burning ritual. The fire was burnt with the objective to destroy the demonic forces.

Some texts also mention a different version of Holika Dahan. According the texts, the parched cereals and grains are collectively called 'Holka' in

Rakshogana mantras which help to ward off evil spirits. Next morning the ashes of the fire are collected and smeared on the body before taking a bath.

The burning of Holika signifies the triumph of good over evil and that the bad forces around you can never win if you have a strong will. Holika represents the negative forces which get burnt against the strong will of human which is denoted by Prahlad.

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Waiting to exhale...

S

…after elections o after all the storm and fury of the year-long campaign, the relatively incident-free casting of the votes and the counting of those votes at the place of poll, one has to ask why we’re still waiting for a declaration of the results two days down the road??

And the asking isn’t just prompted by wanting to know who won. In Guyana, we all know that the longer the announcement is delayed, the more likely all hell will break loose.

This election was very reminiscent of the 1997 one – following the first “free and fair” elections in 1992 that brought in the PPP. Desmond Hoyte, the PNC leader was convinced he’d broken the back of ethnic voting with his “Desmond Persaud” claims and he’d sweep the PPP out of office. He built up huge expectations in his traditional constituency. But more insidiously, he created a narrative of PPP’s victimisation and peripheralisation of African Guyanese.

He started right after the 1992 elections with strident claims of “ethnic cleansing” when the PPP attempted to rationalise the top tier of the Public Service to better execute their manifesto programmes.

He turned each of those programmes – from land distribution to agriculture – into a racial Rorschach Test.

While there weren’t actual violent outbreaks, matters did almost reach boiling point on several occasions – such as when he called upon his supporters to “shoot to kill” if necessary in a land dispute at Boeroserie.

By the time the 1997 elections rolled around, it didn’t take much of a spark to set off an explosion.

This was provided by Trotman’s claims of “thousands of ID’s being distributed by PPP” and the delay in announcing the elections results. As the OAS summarised afterwards: “In contrast to the situation prior to the elections and during the voting, the Mission noted significant weaknesses in the organisation, management, and administration of the collection, transmittal, verification, and announcement of results.

This situation, coupled with significant delays in the announcement of results from key polling districts, created a climate in which some have questioned the electoral process and results.”

And it was this “questioning” of the results by claiming PPP “rigging” that the PNC of Desmond Hoyte unleashed protests in Georgetown and unleashing massive violence on Jan 1998. After 2015, we saw the PNC under David Granger stoking a volcano of worse accusations against the PPP as it relates to their treatment of African Guyanese. The trope of “killing 400 black youths” moved from being an urban myth into “TRUTH” carved in two stone tablets.

The accusations of PPP “distributing IDs” to their supporters to vote, gunmen arrested for attempting to steal Statements of Poll etc, have now set the stage for mischief.

Results must be released pronto!! …after Lowenfield’s “briefing” The word “briefing” is derived from “brief”, no??

But you could be excused for believing it originated from “circumlocutory” after witnessing GECOM CEO Lowenfield’s “briefing” to the Diplomatic Corps and media on the state of the counting yesterday at noon.

High noon, it was NOT!! At the close of polls the day before, he’d assured the nation that by then, the 10 “Returning Officers” (ROs) from each of the Regions would be in possession of ALL the SoPs and he’d be in a position to make some substantive announcements.

The invitees turned up expectantly – as did the rest of Guyana via TV and social media. But the fella just went around and around the topic of election results – merely referring to 5% of the SoPs cited by the PRP – which was meaningless in the big picture. As he focused on the logistics of moving the SoPs in the interior jungle areas, he gave a graphic illustration of how the phrase, “beating around the bush” might have originated!!

It really was an insult to the Diplomats gathered there. …on coronavirus One other reason your Eyewitness wants the elections results to be announced is we haven’t been paying enough attention to the coronavirus that’s now a pandemic.

And will reach us sooner than later.

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FEATURE 33

Phagwah Y

ou know Phagwah is around the corner when you see brightly coloured powders for sale but nothing puts you in the mood better than hearing the distinctive voice of Bollywood legend Amithab Bachan singing “Rang barse bheege chunar wali, rang barse”.

The song from the movie Silsila is synonymous with Phagwah celebrations in Guyana and even further afield. Basically translating to “colours are showering,” rang barse is perhaps the most well-known phagwah song among Guyanese despite their ethnic or religious background.

Phagwah is a community’s exuberant expression of joy to welcome the warmth

of spring. In a reflection of nature’s abundance, Hindus celebrate with bursts of colour, camaraderie and shared abandon. It begins on Purnima, full moon day, in the Hindu month of Phalguna (February/March) and lasts for as long as 16 days.

On the day of Holi, people celebrate by playing, dancing and running in the streets. Water pistols are filled with coloured water and squirted on family, friends and strangers alike. Dye powders and water balloons are a big part of

the play. The wise wear old clothes, usually white, in anticipation of the mess!

Virtually anything goes.

Etiquette on Holi requires that one accept all overtures with an open heart, burying grievances to begin relationships afresh. People of all walks of life mingle and greet, applying vermilion on each other’s foreheads in an uninhibited exchange of goodwill.

Love, positive values and goodness are celebrated on Holi. Their triumphs over divisiveness and negative forces have been reinforced in legends, such as that of Holika and her brother Prahlad. The famous king Hiranyakashipu had earned a boon that made him virtually indestructible.

Blinded by this power, he thought he was God, the only being worthy of worship. His

young s o n Prahlad was devoted to Lord Vishnu and refused to obey his father.

Infuriated, the king devised the cruellest punishments. In one attempt, Prahlad’s evil aunt Holika, who possessed the power to withstand fire, tricked

him into climbing a burning pyre with her. Prahlad’s love for true Divinity protected him from the flames. Holika burned while Prahlad lived. The bonfire of Holi is symbolic of this victory of good over evil.

Coinciding with the advent of spring, the festival symbolises growth and fertility of the land for many Indians. Some Jains and Sikhs also partake in the festivities. The vibrant pigments used were traditionally made of ground vermillion, turmeric and neem, but synthetic pigments are common now.

Legend has it that Krishna noticed one day how much lighter Radha’s complexion was than His own. His mother playfully suggested that He smear Radha’s cheeks with colour to make Her look like Him, which Krishna did. The strongwilled Radha gleefully retaliated, and merry chaos ensued.

Another legend has it that Krishna celebrated this festival with His friends and the gopis. They danced and frolicked, filling the air with colour in a joyous welcome of spring.

In keeping with the essence of Phagwah, Guyanese across the spectrum take the time out to enjoy this festival. It is a time when the motto “One People One Nation One Destiny” is truly lived. Despite differences throughout the year, Phagwah day is one that would see Guyanese smearing each other with colours or dousing with water as they all celebrate the triumph of good over evil.

Evidence of the ability of Phagwah to break the ethnic barriers can be seen at the different melas, street corners and even in the homes. It is truly a Guyanese thing to see non-Hindus preparing sweetmeats and having a ball of a time as Hindus would.

34 FEATURE

B y L akhram B hagirat

Dear society Sometimes I see eyes.

Black, overpowering, commanding.

They stare these eyes.

Gauging my reaction, waiting.

Waiting ever so patiently for me to show signs of incoherency.

Dear society Sometimes I see eyes.

Familiar eyes, nestle in bushy black brows.

Always staring, looking down from their overhead position.

Reflecting an emotion so foreign, so inconceivable to the mind of a child.

Dear society Sometimes I see eyes.

Mostly in my quiet moments.

Surrounded by curly hair, they consume my childish thoughts.

They delude me, convince me- no force me to don a woman’s mind and comprehend their desire.

Society, I stare at the eyes and then at myself.

I disassociate.

Dear society.

Sometimes I see eyes.

Eyes that are accompanied by a touch.

A simple touch. A soft touch.

An intrusive touch.

Not meant for the body of a child.

With enough concentration sometimes, oh sometimes I can feel.

Dear society.

Dear eyes.

I saw you. I see you.

Your dark pupils, almost dilated, forever engraved in the recess of my mind.

Why eyes? Why? Why did you choose to see me?

T

he words are so endearing, invoking a sense of responsibility. The responsibility to make the world a better place, a place where peace and harmony exist within the elements. That is exactly what Kelly Mohan envisions every time she puts pen to paper and does her part to bring awareness while offering a unique perspective of what needs to be addressed.

The 22-year-old nursery school teacher has been writing for as long as she could remember. Fitting the traditional description of a bookworm, Kelly has had an affinity for literature and intricate writings from a pretty young age and that was fuelled by her paternal grandmother who encouraged her creativity and motivated her to push her boundaries.

Much of her childhood was spent exploring the limits of her imagination through art, play and books which resulted in her love for poetry and a good novel.

“My initial writings started out as being very clichéd one verses, influenced by the music and novels I read during my early teenage years.

However, it wasn’t until I stumbled upon this fascinating book "A World of Poetry" by Hazel Simmons McDonald and Mark McWatt in an English B class did I begin to under-

WEEK ENDING MARCH 8, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

stand the true power of poetry and develop the content of my writing.

Poetry became an emotional outlet for me. Trying to cope with the fast pace of high school, understanding my new role in society as a teenager and at the same time becoming aware of all the social injustice especially towards women in Guyanese society all influenced me into penning my thoughts on a paper. It became the only way for me

time, my love" and being completely filled with the vivid imagery that stemmed from his words. This poem is what pivoted me in the direction of poetry that I am in today. One of the major goals of my poetry is to sensitise persons on social issues affecting our society. It is also my aim to have the same ef-

The children

fect on readers as Martin With wild eyes and tangled hair, C ar ter ’ s their feet race across the earth.

"This is a Carrying soft breath against the wind, dark time, Whispering fond memories from a dreamlike world. my love" had on me.”

The fleet across time.

W h i l e Holding destinies but paying no heed. there has Echoing the adult reality with their childish intentions been more emphasis on and sweet tales of mischief. art and poetry by some There they go, great paramours of life. entities and Soiled clothing and sun-kissed face. institutions Bruised knees and sticky fingers. in Guyana, Spreading their delight through Kelly bethe obvious destruction, l i e v e s through the unholy fields of modern mankind. enough is not being done to fosto comprehend reality and share my ter the growth of creative arts. For opinions on matters that affected her, art and poetry are perceived by me,” she says. a large section of society as a hob“If I am to name a poet who has by and not as a career due to lack left a lasting impression on me, it of financial gain. Persons deem art would be Martin Carter. I recalled as scribbles with splashes of paint the first time I read "This is a dark and poetry as few lines of rhyming

words. However, creative arts allow us not only to express ourselves and emotions, but also aid the young brain in developing analytical and problem-solving skills. The creative arts also can be touted as bridging barriers between cultures, ethnicities and classes.

“I cannot say that my poems are entirely different as somewhere in the world someone has done it or will do something similar, but what I do know is that my poems tell a story and share different perspectives (not necessarily mine) about everything in life. My dream, in five years, as a poet is to establish myself in the field of local literature.

As a person who has been brought up recognising the importance of education, I also aim to elevate myself by furthering my education at the University of Guyana.”

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

FEATURE 35

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By Lakhram Bhagirat

K

halil Gibran, one of my absolute favourite poets, said: “The poet is a bird of strange moods. He descends from his lofty domain to tarry among us, singing; if we do not honour him, he will unfold his wings and fly back to his dwelling place.”

Poetry allows us to peer into the poet’s soul and go on their journey.

We laugh, we cry, experience immense happiness or gut-wrenching heartbreak. For poets, sometimes writing is all they envision or sometimes it is just something they happen to discover as they ma-

ture, and for 19-yearold Faheem Esau, it is something that he described as a fluke.

You see, Faheem started writing poetry a little over a year ago, but writing is something that he has always been fond of. Interestingly enough he found poetry rather boring during his much younger days.

Not everyone instantly develops affinity for intricate writings with hidden emotions, sometimes that takes time.

Faheem, in an effort to better express himself, decided that he needed to be more expressive, since he had grown up as a quite shy person. He, like many

"Matrimony" Lustful and out control, That was what they deemed me to be, An unquenchable thirst, Innate desires, And an Insatiable hunger...

Without doubt I believed it all was true.

others who have been lovestruck, decided that more needed to be done to better express his feelings and he took it upon himself to do that in writing. So, last Valentine he got out the note pad and began penning his innermost feelings. He captured not only what he was feeling, but also invoked the feeling of desire, the desire to be better and ever since he has been on an upward trajectory.

“I was never a fanatic of poetry whilst growing up, I actually deemed it to be boring which resulted in (me) never attempting to write (poetry). I was more interested in essays and short stories.

Tasteless and compulsive, Lots of coitus with little to no meaning, No spark nor butterflies flew within me, If anything I'd say I was living, But not alive.

However I was willing, Willing to give it a try, True love? I figured not, For I heard was, Love-lost hurts worse than a shot, The world is filled with adulterers anyways, Living tastelessly and with apathy, Safer, I thought I would be, Without any vulnerability.

So spiraling, I was, Completely Out of control, Like a crashing flight, I landed abruptly in your life, You were charming, Insanely Gorgeous, But most importantly, Every day, you became all I see.

Whether you were near or not, Your face was all I sought, Even though I knew you were in matrimony, Deeply I knew that someday you'll belong to me.

Ironically I crashed, with fear and despair, But sedated I was, with the fragrance of your hair.

Loving another's wife, A predicament! It seemed, But ignorance it was, For I knew not! That in that moment, I was redeemed.

My thirst finally satiated, Butterflies were instantly initiated, The phobia of not being reciprocated finally dissipated.

You tore down all walls that I built, Leaving me a great deal of guilt, Guilt that I didn't sought you earlier.

For you, you needed a savior.

Much like me, you never thought you'd be, Hopelessly in love with another, Outside your holy matrimony.

However, for last Valentine's I tried making the day a tad bit more special with a poem alongside the gifts. The first poem I wrote, I did as a gesture and with it came great receptiveness.

I composed another after that, which had the same result and so I continued composing.”

F a h e e m grew up in Corriverton in Berbice and is the youngest child of his parents. He has just one sibling and being the younger has served as somewhat of an advantage for him, because he was allowed to explore more and as times changed, so did his interests.

He grew up as the quiet kid and could have been considered as the nerdy one too.

When he sat the National Grade Six Assessment

(NGSA), he was awarded a place at St Rose’s High in

Georgetown but because of the distance between

that school and his home, his parents decided to send him to the Skeldon Line Path Secondary School where he received his literary groundings.

“Growing up, I was quite the shy and quiet type and as I got older, it remained that way up until I got comfortable around someone.

There isn't much to say, I wasn't really athletic, but I played a little cricket. I was more so calm and collective with an obsession to grow up quickly,” he said.

“With my newfound belief, I solely think poetry is an escape.

It is a means by which one expresses and releases emotional energy. And with the composition of a poem, it requires thinking ability as well as vocabulary, which is further enhanced by exercising effort and time into a poem. My intention with writing is to cope with my emotions by

a creative metho d which benefits me, opposing the stereotypical approach which involves substance a b u s e .

With

the incorporation of the above, I might just be able to inspire someone

someday. Perhaps even help break addictions,” Faheem added.

He says with his limited knowledge, he is hopeful that more emphasis is placed on the promotion of poetry and arts in Guyana. He is hopeful that the arts community gets the recognition and the opportunities required to gain the recognition their work so deserves.

“I believe well-felt emotions are being poured into my pieces and it’s all derived from my escapades as well as the scenarios my mind construct based on my personal emotions and that's what I think makes my work authentic.

In future, I intend having an arsenal of poetry and prose as well as a novel or two; perhaps even a bestseller someday.”

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

"Awake" Has he called you?

When last was he near?

He has no interest, In him, why do you invest?

He doesn't love you, Do you even feel special?

Your love, all my life, I've wanted, But All I got was your denial.

Not to be psychotic, But what is it that is so hypnotic?

What did he ever do to you?

Is he that good?

Is he even true to you?

Does he fight?

Buy flowers for you?

Or is it the money, That makes you feel whatever you feel?

Little do you know, all you are to him?

Is a spoke on his wheel?

Maybe I'm paranoid, Maybe I am cynical, Stay with him and I might just become a criminal, Awake! And See the picture, Is it perfect?

Does it worth it?

The loneliness, How unappreciative he is, Doesn't even notice the nails, The hair, Your aroma, Are you in a freaking coma?!

Awake! Please, and finally see, That with me, Is where you were meant to be, He lied, he cheated and he stole, Oh how He tainted your Beautiful heart of gold, Awake! And finally see what I see, Your... Beautiful... Soul.

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WEEK ENDING MARCH 8, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

Turtle Mountain, Iwokrama

Looking over Turtle Mountain

T

Iwokrama Mission

he Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development (Iwokrama) was created in the “run“To promote the conservation and up” to the Rio Summit in 1992. It is the sustainable and equitable use a key environmental programme dedof tropical rain forests in a manner icated by the Government of Guyana, through President Desmond Hoyte, that will lead to lasting ecological, to the Commonwealth in 1989 at the economic and social benefits to the Commonwealth Heads of Government people of Guyana and to the world meeting in Malaysia. in general, by undertaking research, Since its foundation, through an training and the development and Act of Parliament in 1996, signed off dissemination of technologies.” on by then President Cheddi Jagan, Utilisation Area (SUA), which allows Iwokrama has sought to advance best managed activities and the Wilderness practices in the sustainable managePreserve (WP), which only allows lowment of the world’s remaining rainforimpact research and is kept as a conests. trol area to keep a check on activities Iwokrama manages the 371,000 in the SUA. hectares (nearly one million acres) Iwokrama’s work is very multifacetIwokrama Forest in central Guyana to ed. The initial work involved research show how tropical forests can be conto acquire baseline data to set the founserved and sustainably used for ecodation of further scientific research and logical, social and economic benefits to also the management of the area. The local, national and international comorganisation also had to focus efforts munities. on building up partnerships, including Iwokrama was originally the name with the Macushi communities in and of a mountain range in the forest; the around the Iwokrama Forest. word Iwokrama is from the Makushi Iwokrama operates in close parttribal nation and means "Place of refnership with a wide range of local, nauge". The legend is: long ago, there tional and international partners. The was inter-tribal warfare and the Centre’s two founding partners are Makushi people fled into the Iwokrama the Government of Guyana and the Mountains to seek refuge.

Commonwealth Secretariat.

Iwokrama is a unique institution Iwokrama also has a close workthat is firmly grounded in the reality of ing relationship with the 20 local the people who live in tropical forests Indigenous communities in close proxand whose entire economies rest on the imity to the Iwokrama Forest. These fate of their environment. It aims to communities fall under the umbrelshow that forests are “worth more alive la organisation – the North Rupununi than dead” and that you can “use a forDistrict Development Board (NRDDB), est without losing it” . which was established in 1996.

The million-acre reserve is zoned The Centre has also produced some into two areas - the Sustainable

Yakarinta kids and teachers heading in forest

cutting-edge and complex benefits sharing and shareholder agreements with local communities, including a Collaborative Management Agreement that gives the NRDDB a direct say in how the Iwokrama Forest is managed.

Capacity building includes building the capacity of local, national, regional and international communities and both the Private and Public Sectors on the various facets of Iwokrama’s work – conservation, research, monitoring, and community engagement. Iwokrama played a major role in the production of a climate change manual, the only one of its kind in Guyana which is now widely used nationally and has been translated into over six languages for international use.

Over the years, the Centre has trained over 200 persons in areas of ranger training, guide training, protected areas management and collaborative management to support the Guyana Protected Areas System. Interns, volunteers and researchers come to work and conduct research at Iwokrama, and the Centre has been getting more visits from universities, schools and other environmental groups.

Inherent in Iwokrama’s successful management practices is the recognition of traditional Indigenous knowledge, which is twinned with scientific information for best results.

According to Iwokrama, conserva-

Canopy walkway bridge

Iwokrama’s core values • A people centered approach to conservation and wise use; • Developing low volume, high value markets for all forest products and services; • Encouraging local, national and international partnerships for development; and • Active learning by doing

tion has to be paid for and as the saying goes "Conservation without money is just a conversation". Iwokrama has several means of support, including from the Government of Guyana, several projects which are usually secured due to competitive applications, partnerships with the corporate community and other donors, and more.

Iwokrama also has been engaging in business activities with the main aim to develop models of using the forest and sharing lessons learnt in the process. Iwokrama, currently, has two tourist lodge facilities, the only canopy walkway in the hemisphere and several tours on offer.

The sustainable forestry business commenced in 2008 and is currently certified under the guidelines of an international forest organisation. Both these businesses have been developed with the engagement of Private Sector partners.

Owing to the many activities that Iwokrama undertakes, and given the reality of public access via the road that runs through the reserve and also the bordering rivers, Iwokrama has an extensive established monitoring programme.

The impacts of public access and impacts of Iwokrama’s activities must be checked and some of the areas monitored include biodiversity, water quality, weather, traffic, waste and social aspects to name a few.

In the global context, Guyana is part of one of four remaining large tracts of intact forest ecosystems in the world known as the Guiana CONTINUED ON PAGE 38

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NEWS 37

Confusion over party colours mars voting on ECD

P

ersons turned out in their numbers to vote along the East Coast of Demerara on E-day on Monday, but voting was not without some hiccups. The voters in Enmore complained of being turned back wrongfully by polling agents.

The controversy was sparked at the polling place located in the empty lot next to St Mark’s Anglican Church in Enmore, where 693 electors were scheduled to vote. This publication spoke to several persons, as well as representatives from both the People’s Progressive Party and A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance for Change.

According to PPP/C representatives and other supporters of the party who were present at the scene, several persons were told to return home and change when they showed up wearing party colours.

“When we go in there, them a turn back everybody with coloured clothes. And go see, they

Voting at Enmore next to the St Mark Anglican Church

got scrutineers in there with their green jerseys.

And we supporters can’t get on, them a put them out,” one resident who identified himself as a PPP representative explained.

‘Otisha’ back in court over robbery charge

Otis “Otisha” Pearson

P

opular cross-dresser Otis “Otisha” Pearson, who is no stranger to the courts, made another court appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday, this time slapped with a robbery charge.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on November 20, 2019, at Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, Georgetown, he robbed Dane Peters of G$100,000 while using personal violence.

The charge was read by Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus.

The prosecution did not object to bail and as

such, the accused was released on G$70,000 bail and was ordered to report to the Kitty Police Station every Friday until the hearing and conclusion of the trial.

The case was adjourned to March 16, 2020.

Back in 2018, the said defendant was committed to stand trial at the Demerara High Court to face a rape indictment committed against a 14-year-old boy.

The LGBT personality was arrested in March of 2018, after accusations were levelled against him with regards to his involvement in sexual activity with minor boys.

According to Nirmala Sukhnanand, who was with the PPP representatives, she was turned back from voting because she had on a plain green blouse. She explained that she was left with no choice but to leave the venue and change her clothes.

“The scrutineers are there with [party colours]. Why people can’t go in with their clothes?

Look they had people come from till over there so. They had to go back home, to change their clothes and come back… about 10 or 12 of them,” another agitated resident said.

APNU/AFC representative Orin Nelson revealed that the party’s supporters also experienced hurdles at the polling place. These hurdles include persons CONTINUED ON PAGE 38

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UG urges Diaspora to support education system s the University of Guyana prepares to host second Diaspora

A

Georgetown.

Giving brief remarks was Professor Leyland Lucas, Dean of the School

Policy to attract valuable skills to aid with the development of Guyana. “ D i a s p o r a

Engagement Conference, there was a precursor at the Education Lecture Theatre at the Turkeyen Campus, Greater

of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (SEBI), who noted that there is a need for a Diaspora Engagement

Engagement Policy must also be driven by a national policy on development. Unfortunately, because challenges we

its

faced with, many of the skills we need are absent. How do we attract those skills? This policy should not only focus on a national or governmental conversation but also should be down into the levels of the communities,” he added.

According to Professor Lucas, Guyana’s education system has suffered tremendously with a large number of trained teachers migrating. As such, he underscored the need for a Diaspora Engagement Policy to ensure there is a reduction in the amount of skilled human resources leaving the country.

“We have to find ways of attracting the Diaspora. In some instances there are those who have skills and com-

petence but would not be able to travel and exploiting the virtual network which has effectively, in my opinion, removed national boundaries and narrow the space with those who are at home and who are abroad should be utilized.”

emerging business, Indigenous, women and youth leaders”.

This theme has been chosen in recognition of the need for all Guyanese at home and abroad to work together with inclusion, tolerance and cooperation for national

Professor Leyland Lucas, Dean of SEBI

The Professor also highlighted that all skills cannot be utilised at the same time and as such, it should be strategic, giving all other institutions a conversation in the decision-making aspect.

“As we develop new programmes at all levels, it is important that not only the University of Guyana be part of that conversation, but also the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) and the Council for Technical and Vocational Educational and Training (TVET)”.

The second Conference is now set for May 28 to June 1, 2020, under the theme “Investing in Guyana’s

and regional growth and development.

The University of Guyana remains committed to Diaspora engagement and facilitating a positive enabling environment and discussion on ways in which Guyanese can best work together to accomplish joint goals towards creating prosperity for all our people.

The conference will feature a mixture of academic and non-academic experiences and will host a number of panels, forums, roundtables and multimedia presentations on key thematic areas.

Confusion over.... being turned back due to the colour of their clothes.

“What we learned is that persons could have worn any colour jersey of their liking, without the slogan of any political party. But by doing so, people were turned back because the jersey might be a little red or green or yellow. Even some persons with multicoloured clothing were turned back,” Nelson said.

“We were made to understand on the news that once there is no slogan on your jersey to depict any party, you could vote. Because every party has a colour. Now I am seeing, people are being turned back because they are wearing [clothing of a certain colour].

“People had to go home, people had to come bring

FROM PAGE 37

clothing for them,” another concerned citizen said.

“Another thing that concerns me is whereby persons are given counterfoil to vote. And then they say sorry.

That is bad,” she added.

Counterfoil is the part of the ballot paper, usually left intact, that contains the serial number of the ballot paper. By tearing out the counterfoil, GECOM would be unable to account for the ballot paper.

From the scene, this publication made contact with GECOM PRO Yolanda Warde, who promised to clear up the matter. She assured that electors wearing colours associated with a party can vote, once their attire does not have the party emblem.

WEEK ENDING MARCH 8, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

Scenes from E-Day

NEWS 39

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Scenes from E-Day

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Scenes from E-Day

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Building goes up in flames after security attempts to torch snake

A

Corentyne, Berbice building went up in flames on Tuesday afternoon after security personnel reportedly attempted to torch a snake.

The fire was reportedly seen coming from the building at about 13:30h. Persons rushed to the scene and alerted the guard, who said that he had seen a snake and lit the fire to chase it away and went to the guard hut.

He reportedly fell asleep.

It was after thick black smoke was seen and persons arrived on the scene that the guard realised that the building was on fire.

Dried canals in the area presented a challenge for firefighters who had no water

Administration but according to Regional Chairman David Armogan, a private company had taken up space there since the Administration had been experiencing dif-

ficulty maintaining the building which had become unoccupied for years.

Police have since taken the security guard into custody for questioning.

Poor school attendance as Guyana awaits elections results

T source, hence the fire spread to a vacant plot of land situated across the street. However, the firefighters managed to control the blaze. The

building was being used as an administrative office but no one has been working there for more than a year. However, the company still has

items in the building and containers in the yard.

The compound was initially owned and operated by the Regional

wo days after the General and Regional Elections were held, the attendance at schools is at its minimum. Guyana Times International visited several schools across the city and attendance was significantly low as parents and guardians remain in heightened fear of postelection issues.

Speaking with this publication, Principal of the St Joseph High School, Nathram Raghubensi, said that there is poor attendance.

The Principal further explained that some of the students attending St Joseph High come from as far as Bartica and Berbice.

“Our attendance as of today (Wednesday) is very poor, and it is due to the elections result that is not yet out,” he said.

At Queen’s College, Stella Marris Primary and Richard Ismael Secondary, teachers all said that attendance was “terrible”.

A teacher from St Joseph High also said that school attendance was extremely low.

On Tuesday, students of Houston Secondary on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) were sent home early because of the tense atmosphere in the city over the verification of Statements of Polls.

When contacted, Education Ministry Public Relations Officer (PRO) Murtland Haley seemed very much surprised to have heard that students were sent home.

“I am not aware that any schools were closed or students were sent home, so I can’t comment to say why. We will be investigating that,” he said.

Meanwhile, in the commercial zone around Georgetown, employees of the few businesses that opened told this publication that they were sent home early from work as a result of the tension over the dec-

laration of the result.

On Tuesday, the city of Georgetown was reduced to almost a ghost town as the country awaits the official declaration of results by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

Though Tuesday was not a holiday, businesses remained closed as the commercial district was at a standstill.

When this publication visited several parts of the business hub, a few persons were seen walking in the desolate streets.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday at the Private Sector Commission’s press conference, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Gerry Gouveia, advised that persons be patient and wait on the official declaration of results by GECOM. “We have seen that statements claiming victory. We support the call for the respect that we all should be patient and wait on the official declaration of results at the Returning Officer’s level and the final results at the level of GECOM”.

Gouveia further added that they were surprised that businesses and schools were not open on Tuesday since they [the Private Sector Commission] did not ask for Tuesday or Wednesday to be a public holiday.

“The Private Sector Commission called for Monday the 2nd to be declared a holiday. We were very pleased that the Government responded to our call and declared it a holiday. We did not ask for Tuesday to be a holiday because we did not think it would be necessary and so we were quite surprised with the level of apprehension by the business community was widespread,” the Chairman explained.

General and Regional Elections were held on Monday. Over 600,000 eligible voters went to polls to elect a new government.

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High voters’ turnout recorded in Linden, Berbice amid minor hiccups

D

espite minor hiccups, the general atmosphere in Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) was calm and peaceful as residents took to the polls on Monday when Guyana hosted its General and Regional Elections.

It was the same situation in outlying areas across the Upper Berbice River areas.

First-time voter, 21-year-old Lindener Jermaine Benjamin after voting at the Linden Foundation Secondary polling place at Amelia’s Ward, Mackenzie, Linden From all reports received, the polling stations in the Region opened at the stipulated 06:00h.

Many of the voters

Wisroc Nursery School polling station and noted that the experience was quite accommodating.

“The process was easy. Everything seems as though it’s working to order. I’m here since about 4 something (in the morning). I just come to make sure everything go alright. No

The elderly voting at the Linden Foundation Secondary polling place at Amelia’s Ward, Mackenzie, Linden

turned up at their respective polling stations early Monday morning to exercise their franchise. Some were reportedly at the polling stations as early as 03:00h and 04:00h, waiting in anticipation for them to open.

Guyana Times International spoke to several voters who explained that the process was smooth and easy while pinpointing several minor hiccups as it relates to finding their polling places. These issues were subsequently resolved.

This publication visited the New Silvercity Secondary, Wisroc Nursery, Wisburg Secondary, Middle Street Nursery, Christianburg Community Centre Ground and the Linden Foundation Secondary to get a first-hand experience among voters.

The youths, elderly, differently abled, pregnant women and party officials lined polling stations and by midday the process had slowed down tremendously.

However, as it came down to the afternoon period, voters were out in their numbers to cast their ballots.

Shauna Beckles was one of the first persons to cast her ballot at the

able at that time. “…because, we live a good way, you know. So, we had to walk down.

Nobody come for us, so we walk…”, she said, adding that it was not an issue for them.

Eighty-nine-yearold Beryl Bentick, who was taken to the polling station in a wheelchair, noted that it was not the first time that she voted since being wheelchairbound, so she had transportation readily available.

Lindener Yowell Hinds, who assisted his mother Della Hinds in getting to the polling station situated at the Wisburg Secondary School at Wismar, explained that though there were minor difficulties they managed to get through the voting process.

problem, no scene and

by God’s grace, everything worked all right,” Beckles told this publication.

Beckles was in the company of her 20-yearold daughter, who is a first-time voter. The young woman also explained that the process was very easy and quick.

This newspaper also spoke with an elderly couple at the same location who explained that the process was very smooth, as they noted that they had no complaints. The elderly woman indicated that she assisted her husband in getting out to the polling station and that they had been there since around 05:00h.

She further explained

“It had a kind of mixup with the crowd and so, but so far everything all right…a lot of elderly said that in the earlies they used to just walk in and cast their ballot and then walk out back… now you got to verify and in order to do that

that they walked some distance since there was no transportation avail-

you still have to wait in the line. Sometimes you in the wrong line. There

are people directing you, but not for all the stations and sometimes the person busy with somebody else, so you have to find your way around,” Hinds said.

An elderly voter told this newspaper that she was on the road waiting for transportation for a long time in order to get to her polling station at the Wisburg Secondary as she was unaware of any special transportation system in place.

A physically-challenged young man said he was standing in line for some time and could not find his name at the location. He noted afterwards that he was told to go elsewhere. As such, he shared the view that there should be a special system in place to assist differently abled voters to vote at a particular location where they can receive special assistance.

“Why they don’t got a system where the differently abled can vote alone? Then got to stand up in the line and just wait in line. Sometimes you come and you don’t even find your name, then you (have to) go somewhere else,” he noted.

The young man added that he believed in

First-time voter, 21-year-old Lindener Jermaine Benjamin after voting at the Linden Foundation Secondary polling place at Amelia’s Ward, Mackenzie, Linden

change and progress, hence it was important for him to vote.

Some voters also complained of being in the wrong line at a polling place and being redirected after some time.

First-time voter, 21-year-old Jermaine Benjamin, who voted at the Linden Foundation Secondary polling place, said he was not really excited about the process, as he noted it could have been executed in a timelier manner.

“There’s a lot of people there and there’s a lot of places that don’t have people. So, I think they could have separated it in a better way so that people can go in and get out as fast as possible. That was the only issue,” he said.

Benjamin noted that

Leader of the Federal United Party, Chandra Sohan at his polling station

apart from this, everything went well for him.

Also speaking with this publication was Linden Mayor Waneka Arrindell.

She stated, “Most wonderful, persons were walking

On the East Bank of Berbice, the voters’ turnout was reportedly around 80 per cent.

The shutting down of Guyana’s eastern border by the Government two days before E-Day was

Two elderly women making their way down a polling station steps after voting

through the community this morning shouting ‘Come out and vote!’ So, everybody is up, everybody is excited…”.

Arrindell described the voting process at the location as very smooth, noting there was no confusion. She also noted that transportation was not an issue as there were vehicles transporting persons to and from the polling places.

Another issue highlighted involved persons registered to vote in Linden who resided in Georgetown and they being unclear about where to go.

According to information from GECOM, there were 125 polling stations across the Region with 33,808 persons on the Official List of Electors.

Regional Commander Hugh Winter noted that over 180 Joint Services ranks were dispatched across the Region to provide security.

Meanwhile, in the Ancient County of Berbice, there were only a few issues that were raised during the electoral process.

A total of 99,131 electors were listed to cast ballots at 378 polling stations throughout the Region.

a concern expressed by one political party.

Hundreds of Guyanese living in Suriname who were planning to come to Guyana to cast their ballots were deprived of doing so.

However, as the polls opened on the Corentyne, in New Amsterdam and also in East Canje, many of the polling stations were crowded, persons sought to cast their ballots early and return home.

At the Berbice Educational Institute in New Amsterdam, Police had to be called in to disperse a group of persons who had gathered and were not from the community.

Region Six Chairman David Armogan, who went with his family to the Viola Nursery School in the country’s oldest town, New Amsterdam, stated that the process was very slow.

The same sentiments were expressed

by Leader of the Federal United Party, Chandra Sohan. At the close of polls at 18:00h, the general sentiments were that the process was smooth with few or no hiccups in Berbice.

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Boyfriend allegedly prime suspect Police Sergeants charged in shooting of Linden woman for stealing over G$11M

from GPF Finance Dept

P Injured and prime suspect: Teon Allen

T

eon Allen, also called Spoil Child, who was injured in a shooting incident which has left his girlfriend dead, remains under guards at the Linden Hospital Complex and is being treated as the main suspect.

Twenty-seven-yearold Collissa Hunte died from a single gunshot to the chest on Thursday last at Amelia’s Ward, Linden.

During the shooting incident, Allen was reportedly shot to the upper shoulder and back.

The wound is reportedly in the same area where he was previously shot during an encounter with the Police some time back.

It was reported that Allen and the now-dead

Dead: Collissa Hunte

woman came under fire while they were alone at the Amelia’s Ward house, which is situated in a “desolate” section of the area.

After the shooting, Police were summoned to the scene where they found the woman dead and her boyfriend, an excop, injured. The woman was discovered slumped over on the kitchen floor bleeding from her nose and mouth.

However, ranks who visited the scene recovered four live rounds of ammunition and a few spent shells.

D i v i s i o n a l Commander Hugh Winter had noted that it appeared as though several shots were fired at the location but given the remoteness of the

area, there were no eyewitnesses. Investigators believe that the shots were fired from inside the house.

Allen is suspected to be involved in an alleged gang rivalry which has reportedly led to numerous acts of violence being meted out against him in the past.

The dead woman’s mother, Yolanda Johnson, had related that she was never in favour of the couple’s relationship since she knew her daughter was putting her life in danger.

“I used to beg her to let go but she never listened”, the clearly traumatised woman had related. Nevertheless, the Police are continuing their investigation into the shooting incident.

olice sergeants – 35-year-old Jermaine Fraser and 29-year-old Michael Corbin – who are both attached to the Guyana Police Force’s finance department made their court appearance on Wednesday after being charged for defrauding the Force of over G$11 million.

Fraser and Corbin were slapped with 21 charges. It is alleged that on April 4, 2019, at

Eve Leary, Georgetown, while being employed at the GDF finance office, they willfully and with intent to defraud, made false entry in the accounts, that is to say, they falsely entered the sum of G$11,385,000 into the integration and finance management system without the existence of payment vouchers.

Fraser and Corbin were represented by Attorney-at-Law

Latchmi Rahamat, stood before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty, and were not required to plead to the charges. Rahamat in a bail application asked the court to grant her clients bail.

As such, the Magistrate upheld the lawyer’s application and released both men on $250,000 bail each. The case will continue on March 25.

GDF rank who died following fireworks explosion laid to rest

T

he 31-year-old Guyana Defence Force (GDF), who sustained 90 per cent of burns after the fireworks for the nation’s Jubilee Republic Anniversary exploded, was laid to rest on Thursday.

GDF Corporal 21331 Seon Rose’s funeral service was held at Church of God, Buxton.

Corporal Rose and three other ranks of the 21 Artillery Company were preparing for Guyana’s 50th Republic Anniversary annual fireworks display when the fireworks exploded at the Coast Guard Unit in Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

Reports are that the explosives were being loaded onto a truck on a barge by the GDF ranks when the explosion occurred.

Corporal Rose was badly burnt and was rushed to the GPHC for emergency medical treat-

Dead: Seon Rose

ment. However, despite tireless efforts by doctors at the hospital, the military rank succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment.

The three other in-

jured ranks were Issaiah Gordon, Terrence Neil and Andrew Garnett – who were treated and discharged. A Board of Inquiry has since been probing the matter.

NEWS 47

WEEK ENDING MARCH 8, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

Landmark US$1 Billion multiresort development for Jamaica

The election… A

Y

…is over our Eyewitness wasn’t taking any chances. He made a beeline to his polling station even before daybreak to ensure that he’d get his shot at choosing the next government. His forefathers have shed their blood to earn him this right, and he’d be damned if he was going to mess around with it!! But when he reached to his polling tent – yes, he was one of those who’d been relegated to a tent in the middle of a cow pasture – there was already a long, straggling line ahead of him.

Being a strategic thinker, he looked around somewhat anxiously to see if the GECOM brain trust who’d decided on this bucolic locale where he could hear the call of the wild, had catered to what were certain to be calls of nature. They hadn’t!! He was immediately seized with a wave of anxiety that triggered peevish resentment at this whole tent business.

If GECOM felt that folks shouldn’t vote at private residences – whether or not prompted by the Carter Center in 2015 – they had five years to seek alternative arrangements! As the earthy folk saying advised literally on his predicament, “yuh nah wait ‘till yuh wan’ fuh sh*t fuh buil’ latrine”!! And so for polling places!! But what the hell? The die was cast and he’d have to just hunker down and tough it out!!

Your Eyewitness decided to make small talk with his fellow early birds, as the line started to stumble forward. The lady in front was convinced this tent decision wasn’t happenstance. “How come dis only happen in abee area?” she demanded snappishly.

“Abee ah animal?” To be honest, the question had struck your Eyewitness when he’d reviewed the list of the areas to be serviced by tents. They were mostly in what would euphemistically be described as “PPP areas”. But while he chose not to go down that road, your Eyewitness was convinced there was a plan afoot to frustrate Opposition supporters from voting. If “one, one dutty buil’ dam”, then one, one opposition voter who quit in disgust would certainly ensure the razorthin margin was maintained.

By now he’d reached the tent, and felt like Lawrence of Arabia finally getting to an oasis!! He was surprised at the relative youth of the GECOM staff and wondered what happened to all the “old heads”. With Guyana as divided as it is, he was also surprised that almost all of them were from what is (again) euphemistically called “the PNC constituency”.

As he dropped his ballot into the box, he marvelled at the obduracy of the GECOM HR to allow this state of affairs after the caution by the ERC. Another cog in rigging? …considered Your Eyewitness is hoping the count will be over by the end of the day and we’ll all know which of the parties will form the new government. But from what he witnessed yesterday – on blogs, social media, and on TV – he’s gonna go out on a limb and predict that absolutely nothing will change from the pattern of voting established half a century ago: we’d have gone down the ethnic line one mo’ time!!

He looked at the video of an incident at Patentia where in this normally peaceful and placid rural community, there was suddenly an explosion of a cacophony of abuse and pillorying by APNU supporters; with shouts of “We want Granger”!! And what precipitated this was a PPP elections agent assisting a supporter with some difficulty he had with his ID!!

Rumours of a busload of fake IDs being distributed filled the air for an hour or more.

Point is, this is a community that all suffered from the shutdown of the sole employer – Wales Factory.

But the divisions remained! …and fashion One of the thoughts that crossed your Eyewitness’ mind was what was going to happen with all those green/yellow and red T-shirts and caps, after the elections.

Will we still wear our tribal loyalties on our sleeve?

US$1 billion multi-resort development that will add approximately 4,700 new rooms in Jamaica’s tourism sector has broken ground.

The project, Sugarcane Bay Jamaica in Llandovery, St Ann, is being executed by Karisma Hotels and Resorts on a 226-acre property. The landmark investment will create 10,000 new permanent jobs, attract approximately 375,000 visitors annually to the island and generate $850 million yearly to the economy.

The resort also represents the first major investment under the country’s ‘Shovel Ready’ Programme.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness said the investment is an indication of the robust growth in local tourism.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness

“Significant investments have been made in the industry and these investments have been able to generate significant returns. Investors now know that investing in Jamaica is a profitable business,” he added.

The Prime Minister said investors can also be assured that their

investments are safe and secure, due to the strong economic policy in Jamaica.

“So, you can be certain that whatever you invest here, will not be at the mercy of whimsical tax policy or other forms of regulations that could deplete or ruin your business. That is not the case in Jamaica,” he said.

“Once you are in, you are solid. You are on a very solid institutional foundation.”

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett said the investment represents a new chapter for St. Ann’s tourism output to the overall economy.

Additionally, he pointed out that revenue to be generated will enable a wide range of economic activities to take place, providing the basis of “prosperity which is the mantra of this Government.”

“So, we are excited about the partnership and I want to say to you that this is a very important moment that you are showing confidence in destination Jamaica.

It’s an important moment too, when you are saying to the world, given the current situation that we are facing, tourism is still the energiser of economic activities globally,” he said.

The Minister noted that this development forms part of Jamaica’s overall goal of 15,000 new rooms in the next three to five years.

Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Karisma Hotels & Resorts, Armando Chomat, lauded the Jamaican Government and its agencies for working with the group to make Sugarcane Bay Jamaica a reality.

Demand for Caribbean Economic Citizenship increases as Coronavirus spreads

C

S Global Partners, a Londonheadquartered government marketing agency specializing in investor immigration, says demand for Citizenship

by Investment (CBI) has increased in light of the spread of the new Coronavirus (COVID-19).

And Director Paul Singh says Caribbean islands with CBI programmes are proving to be attractive as demand for citizenship of safer countries grows.

“We work with three Caribbean governments – Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis and St Lucia – promoting their CBI programmes worldwide and assist authorized agents with any enquiries their clients may have regarding obtaining economic citizenship of any of these three countries.

“There has been a significant increase in demand for information on how to obtain second citizenship from the Caribbean specifically, which are known for their experience, faster processing that takes between two to four months, and no residence requirement although this is compensated by tougher due diligence checks,” he said, noting that the outbreak has prompted citizens of affected jurisdictions to look for a plan B. “Our office in China in particular is reporting that one of the main reasons Chinese applicants are seeking to obtain cit-

izenship by investment now more than ever before is to get their families to safety and security fast.”

Noting that entry into countries escalating their border control restrictions depends on where the person has travelled from and does not appear to be based on one’s nationality, Singh said: “Fortunately, we have not heard of any nationality-based preju-

dice at border controls, but those travelling from affected areas may be denied entry in certain countries. Some of them resort to self-quarantining for 14 days in a connecting country before entering the more restrictive jurisdictions.”

The virus is now spreading more rapidly outside China, where it was first detected in December 2019.

With thousands of

cases now being reported globally, the disease is rapidly approaching pandemic status and the World Health Organization has declared it a global health emergency.

As of yesterday, COVID-19 cases were confirmed in more than 70 countries outside China. So far, more than 94,000 people have contracted the virus and at least 3,278 have died.

48 BOLLYWOOD

B

ollywood star Deepika Padukone has decided to give a miss to the ongoing Paris Fashion Week due to coronavirus outbreak in France.

The actor was invited by globally celebrated brand Louis Vuitton to attend its show at the fashion week.

“Deepika Padukone was scheduled to travel to France to attend Louis Vuitton’s FW2020 Show at the ongoing Paris Fashion Week but has had to cancel her trip with news coming in that the coronavirus epidemic has now entered a new stage in France,” the actor’s spokesperson said in a statement.

WEEK ENDING MARCH 8, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

France has till now confirmed 130 cases and two deaths from COVID-19.

On the work front, Deepika will next be seen in 83 as Romi Devi.

She is also working on the Hindi remake of Hollywood film The Intern.

(Indian Express)

F

ilmmaker Karan Johar heaped praise on director Rohit Shetty during the trailer launch of Sooryavanshi today.

While interacting with reporters, Johar called Shetty a “bonafide star” and mentioned that he still had a lot to learn from the director. He said, “This man is a bonafide star. I think it takes a certain kind of ability to create this kind of universe. I really believe that I have so much to learn from him and all these people.”

Karan Johar and Rohit Shetty earlier collaborated on Ranveer Singhstarrer Simmba. Johar and Shetty are bankrolling Sooryavanshi, along with Aruna Bhatia, Hiroo Yash Johar and Apoorva Mehta.

Sooryavanshi, which stars Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif in the lead roles, will take place in Rohit Shetty’s cop universe, which also includes Ajay Devgn’s Singham and Simmba.

Singh and Devgn will also appear in Sooryavanshi in cameo appearances.

Gulshan Grover, Abhimanyu Singh, Niharica Raizada, Jackie

A

ctor Kajol on Monday credited the #MeToo movement for bringing in a visible change in men’s daily interactions.

At a special screening of her short film Devi, the actor was asked if she saw a change in people’s attitude towards women on film sets, and whether the discourse around consent and sexual harassment in the Hindi film industry picked up steam after the #MeToo movement began in October 2018.

“Yes, there is a difference. And I wouldn’t say it’s only on film sets.

After the #MeToo movement took a life of its own and embroiled a lot of very well known people in it, I think somewhere down the line, men – good, bad, indifferent – took seven steps back.

“And that was necessary. More than good or bad, there is a lot of thought put into everybody’s daily interactions whether it’s on a set or in an office environment,” Kajol told journalists.

Her Devi co-star Shruti Haasan said she

was glad that the movement managed to make men realise that their actions had serious consequences.

“After the whole # M e T o o thing happened, I was t a k ing a flight t o London, and there was some-

happen. Quite honestly, I didn’t think that India would take it to such a level, and it made me proud that people dared to come out and speak up,” Shruti said.

The #MeToo movement, considered a watershed moment in women’s fight for equality world over, began in Hollywood in October 2017 after multiple women levelled sexual harassment charges against film producer Harvey Weinstein.

A year later, the movement picked up in India when a female actor alleged t h a t v e t eran actor Nana

one sitting in front of me who was reading a manual on ‘Physical proximity and how to behave in that space’. You might get into trouble was a trigger that was working, and I think it was very important for it to

Patekar harassed her during the shoot of a song in 2008. What followed was multiple stories of women across various fields naming and shaming their harassers.

(Indian Express)

of what is now called “Rohit Shetty’s cop universe”. The actor-director worked together in Simmba, which went on to become one of the biggest hits of 2019. In fact, Akshay Kumar’s Sooryavanshi was introduced towards the end of Simmba.

Ranveer and Ajay will be seen in cameo appearances in Akshay’s Sooryavanshi.

When asked how it felt to share screen space with the two actors, Ranveer revealed that it was a huge moment for him. He said, “During Simmba, there was a combined scene of Ajay and me. It was a huge moment for

me. When I checked that scene in the monitor, Rohit sir knew I was having a moment. Today, I am starring with Akshay sir, and I feel incredibly blessed.”

Sooryavanshi also stars Gulshan Grover, Abhimanyu Singh, Niharica Raizada, Jackie Shroff, Sikandar Kher, Nikitin Dheer and Vivan Bhatena. Katrina Kaif, on the other hand, will play Akshay Kumar’s romantic partner in the film.

Sooryavnashi, which is jointly produced by Karan Johar and Rohit Shetty, will hit screens on March 24. (Indian Express)

Shroff, Sikandar Kher, Nikitin Dheer and Vivan Bhatena form the rest of the supporting cast. The film is set to hit the screens on March 24. (Indian Express)

O

n the set and off it too, Bollywood is taking precautions in view of the increasing number of coronavirus cases with some filmmakers saying they are being careful while choosing outdoor shooting locations and others upping hygiene levels by making sure their crew is equipped with masks and sanitisers.

India has so far reported 28 positive cases of coronavirus, which includes 16 Italian tourists, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Wednesday. All international passengers will henceforth be screened at airports for the disease.

Filmmaker Anees Bazmee, who is shooting for Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 in Lucknow and will move to Mumbai next, said the team is choosing its outdoor locales with extreme care.

“We are surely keep-

T

ing the coronavirus scare in mind while deciding the places we shouldn’t visit. Even on the sets (in India), we are taking precautions… like people are wearing masks, using sanitisers and not shaking hands,” Bazmee told PTI. An official from production house T-Series added that they are mindful of locations where they should not go

for a shoot.

“At T-Series, we have few films on floors including ‘Mumbai Saga’ and ‘Bhool Bhulayiaa 2’. There are two-three more films that will go on floors in a few months like ‘Ek Villain 2’. We are definitely keeping in mind the places within India where not to shoot,” an official from T-series told PTI. (Indian Express)

he trailer launch of highly anticipated film Sooryavnashi was held in Mumbai today.

Actors Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Ranveer Singh, Katrina Kaif along with filmmakers Rohit Shetty and Karan Johar marked their presence at the event.

While interacting with reporters, Ranveer mentioned that he was excited for Sooryavnashi.

“I am too excited. I don’t know whether I am excited about sharing screen space with my idols or reuniting with Rohit sir.

I am as excited as the audience,” he said.

Ranveer Singh is part

HOLLYWOOD 49

WEEK ENDING MARCH 8, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

S

inger Jennifer Lopez says she is in no hurry to tie the knot with fiance, former professional baseball player Alex Rodriguez.

The pop diva shared her wedding plans in a conversation with veteran TV personality Oprah Winfrey at her 2020 Vision: Your Life in Focus Tour.

“It’s so funny because when we first got engaged I was like, ‘Oooo, we’re gonna get married in a couple months?!’

You’re old thinking comes right back, all that hopeless romantic (stuff) that made me get married three times.

He’s like, ‘Whatever you want to do, we can talk about it.

A

ctor Daniel Radcliffe is not interested in reprising his iconic role of Harry Potter in the fantasy franchise’s spin-off film franchise, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

The actor, who fronted the movie series adapted from JK Rowling’s book series of the same name for 10 years, said the new films are “doing fine” without the original characters.

Asked if he would return as Harry in the Fantastic Beasts series, Radcliffe told Variety, “I don’t think so. I don’t like say no to things, but it’s not something that I’m rushing to do. I feel like those films have moved on and they’re doing just

“I said, ‘But if we’re going to be together for the rest of our lives, what is the rush’. If that’s what we’re really going to do, if we’re really going to be partners. If we’re really going to try to build something together that we both never had or both never felt like we had — which was a family with a husband and a wife, and a mother and a father — and we embrace all of our children and we show them something that we didn’t have,” Lopez said.

The singer has 12-year-old twins Emme Maribel Muniz and Maximilian David Muiz with Marc Anthony, while Rodriguez has daughters Natasha Alexander Rodriguez,

fine without us. I’m happy to keep it that way.”

“I like what my life is now. I’m not saying that I’ll never go back into any franchise, but I like the flexibility that I have with my career now. And I don’t want to get into a situation where I’m signed up for one series for years in advance,” he added.

Based on Rowling’s fantasy books of the same name,

Ella Rodriguez

Alexander from his

first marriage. (Indian Express)

Harry Potter series translated into eight movie installments, released b e -

tween 2001-11, and starred Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint in the lead.

A spin-off prequel series started with 2016’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, also penned by Rowling, marking the beginning of the Wizarding World shared media franchise.

Led by Eddie Redmayne’s Newt Scamander, the yet-tobe-titled third chapter will be released in 2021.

Brazilian city Rio De Janeiro will serve as the backdrop of the new film. Returning cast members include Jude Law, Johnny Depp, Ezra Miller, Alison Sudol, Dan Fogler and Katherine Waterston.

(Indian Express)

I

t’s a wrap for The Suicide Squad, writer-director James Gunn has announced. In an emotional Instagram post, the filmmaker said he shot for the film during a “hard” yet “most fulfilling” time in his personal life.

“And that’s a wrap on #TheSuicideSquad,” Gunn wrote.

“My father died two weeks before we started filming and my dog died two weeks before the end. It was a hard, hard time in my life and yet the most fulfilling time I’ve ever had making a movie. The professionalism, talent, compassion and kindness of this cast and crew inspired me every day,” he continued.

The filmmaker thanked everyone involved in the film.

“I am grateful from the bottom of my heart for you all. You are

why I make movies,” he added.

The film will see Margot

Robbie return as Harley Quinn, Viola Davis as Squad mastermind Amanda Waller, Jai Courtney as Captain Boomerang, and Joel Kinnaman as Rick Flag.

They will be joined by newcomers Idris Elba, John Cena, Nathan Fillion, Peter Capaldi, David Dastmalchian, Taika Waititi and Pete Davidson.

The project, being branded as a relaunch, will also mark Gunn’s reunion with his Guardian of the Galaxy stars Michael Rooker and his brother Sean Gunn.

The 2016 original Suicide Squad, directed by David Ayer and featuring the likes of Will Smith, Robbie and Davis, was met with poor reviews but managed to become a global box office hit.

The film will release in August 2021. (Indian Express)

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he Elisabeth Moss-led thriller The Invisible Man rode a wave of good reviews to a very visible spot atop the box office this weekend. Universal Pictures on Sunday estimated that the film from writer-director Leigh Whannell earned 29 million dollars from North American theaters.

Internationally, the Blumhouse production picked up an additional 20.2 million dollars.

Whannell helped dust off the classic HG Wells story and update it for modern audiences by focusing on Moss’ victim character instead of the Invisible Man character, who here is an abusive ex-boyfriend.

The Invisible Man carried a relatively modest budget, costing under 10 million dollars to produce, and exceeded expectations by a few million dollars. The film, which had been well-received by critics, drew diverse audiences to the theaters (46% Caucasian, 20% African American and 18% Hispanic), according to exit polls.

“We couldn’t be more pleased,” said Jim Orr, Universal’s president of domestic distribution. “(Whannell) brought this century-old character to life in a very clever and relevant way.”

The studio expects it to continue to play well into March, although it will have some extra competition when A Quiet Place Part II opens on March 20.

Paramount Pictures’ Sonic the Hedgehog slid to second place in its third weekend in theaters adding 16 million dollars and bringing its domestic total to 128.3 million dollars.

The Call of the Wild, with Harrison Ford, placed third in its second week-

end with 13.2 million dollars.

Fourth place went to the anime superhero film My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising which opened to 6.3 dollars million from just 1,260 screens.

“We should never underestimate films like this that may not have broad recognition among the general public,” said Comscore’s senior media analyst Paul Dergarabedian.

Bad Boys for Life rounded out the top five with 4.3 million dollars in its seventh weekend. The Will Smith and Martin Lawrence pic is just shy of reaching the 200 million dollars mark in North America and has earned over 400 million dollars globally.

In limited release, Wendy, Benh Zeitlin’s long-awaited follow-up to his Oscar-nominated film Beasts of the Southern Wild, got off to a bumpy start with just 30,000 dollars from four theaters. The Peter Pan-inspired film has garnered mixed reviews from critics and will be expanding in the coming weeks.

Although it’s still early in the year, overall the box office is up nearly 3.5%.

“This weekend it was business as usual in North American theaters,” Dergarabedian said. “People went to the movies to escape the trials and tribulations of the real world.”

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore.

Where available, the latest international numbers for Friday through Sunday are also included. Final domestic figures will be released Monday. (Indian Express)

50 SPORT

WEEK ENDING MARCH 8, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

IPL 'on' with 'all precautions' against coronavirus – Ganguly

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ven as COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) continues to cripple all walks of life across the world, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has said the IPL is "on" and that the board is taking all necessary precautions for the smooth conduct of cricket's most lucrative tournament, which begins on March 29. Some of those precautionary measures are likely to involve asking players to avoid physical contact as far as possible including shaking hands with fans, considering the coronavirus is highly contagious.

"It's on…and BCCI will take all protection (against coronavirus)," Ganguly told ESPNcricinfo when asked how the board was dealing with the outbreak that is threatening to bring daily life to a standstill. Spectator sport is seen as particularly vulnerable, given it brings a large crowd together in a confined space. The IPL has an added complication: its global profile, with players, support staff and vast administrative and broadcast services being

drawn from across the world.

The novel coronavirus is a respiratory illness, which originated in China, and, has no cure yet, forcing the shutting down of towns, cities, schools across the world.

Global medical experts have been anxious about how India, the world's second-most populous nation, would respond to the outbreak. The official figures released by the Indian Ministry of Health so far has put the count of those infected closer to 30.

The outbreak has already begun affecting sporting events. In Italy, one of the worst affected countries, the government ordered all Serie A matches to be played behind closed doors with no fans allowed at any football ground until April 3. The March 14 Six Nations rugby game between Italy and England, scheduled in Rome, has been postponed. It was the second game involving Italy to be postponed after the contest against Ireland in Dublin scheduled for Saturday. The Premier League in England is also talk-

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly

ing to the clubs to have matches played behind closed doors as the UK government's chief medical officer today said the country was moving from containment to delaying the spread of the coronavirus, which claimed its first victim on Thursday.

Although there has been no official update put out by the BCCI or the IPL on the respective websites (a norm followed by global sporting organisations), ESPNcricinfo understands that the top officials have been internally discussing the outbreak and its potential impact on the T20 tournament. It is believed that the BCCI has been following the guidelines and updates put out by the Health Ministry on

coronavirus.

A senior BCCI official confirmed that the board would replicate the precautionary guidelines recommended by the Health Ministry and send them to all the stakeholders: players, franchises, airlines, team hotels, broadcast crews and everyone else involved in the running of the tournament.

As far as the players go, the BCCI would ask them to be proactive and report to the concerned medical authority in case they detect any of the symptoms associated with the coronavirus, which include cough, fever or difficulty in breathing. Also if the person has travelled in or via high-risk areas across the world, he/ she would need to report that.

It is understood that the BCCI would also advise the players not to

shake hands with fans or even possibly take pictures with devices that are not their own. All these measures are already being followed globally by athletes.

Recently, England captain Joe Root said that England players would not be shaking hands with one another on their tour of Sri Lanka to ensure germs and bacteria are not spread. The England players would instead resort to fist bumps, something even the National Basketball League (NBA) in the USA advised its players to use instead of the high-fives. The NBA also asked the players not to use the pens/markers fans provide them to sign autographs.

The BCCI has not yet discussed whether it would recommend fist bumps over handshakes, but the official said that as things evolve, the

All eyes on...

U M P I R E S : Johnathan Blades (Barbados), Leslie Reifer Jr (Barbados) MATCH REFEREE: Carlyle Felix RESERVE UMPIRE: Roger Davis

Jaguars vs Hurricanes in Providence, Guyana

Jaguars got their season back on track with a commanding, sevenwicket victory over the Scorpions inside three days in the previous round.

Hurricanes held on grimly for a draw against Red Force, when it appeared that they too, were shaping up for a morale-boosting win.

In the first round this season, Jaguars dealt a huge blow to a season that promised much for the Hurricanes with a 10-wicket win on the road.

On home soil now, the Jags will be looking to complete the season sweep against these opponents in the hope of keeping pressure up on the front-running Pride.

Though the Hurricanes have not been playing at their best this season, the Jaguars must still have cause for concern, having lost two of the last three matches between the two sides at the venue for this match.

A showdown is expected between the champion spinners on either side. Veerasammy Permaul has been this

board would be open to take all measures that would keep everyone safe.

Many top sporting events including the Tokyo Olympics have come under threat with countries warning against mass congregations in light of how contagious the virus is.

Cricket, too, has been affected with a women's quadrangular in Thailand being the first tournament to be postponed last week. On Thursday, the Everest Premier League, a domestic T20 tournament scheduled to start from March 14 in Nepal, was postponed indefinitely even though the country has reported just one case of the outbreak yet. The ICC World Cup Challenge League due to be hosted by Malaysia on March 16 has also been postponed.

(ESPNCricinfo)

FROM PAGE 51

season’s leading bowler so far with 45 scalps and West Indies off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall has jumped into prominence with 23 wickets in only four matches, having missed the first two games of the season because of injury.

The Jaguars batting line-up appears well equipped to manage Cornwall, but how well the Hurricanes batting, which has been a letdown this season, copes with Permaul could prove decisive.

Tevin Imlach has come into the Jags squad for the injured Chandrapaul Hemraj, and the Hurricanes have made three changes including leaving out experienced batsman Devon Thomas and bringing former West Indies Under-19 World Cupwinning batsman Keacy Carty back into the lineup as one of the replacements.

A number of other players stand on the threshold of personal milestones which could be accomplished in the match, if they are selected: Montcin Hodge (Hurricanes) has scored 3,919 Championship runs and needs 81 more for 4,000 Keon Joseph (Jaguars) has taken 91 Championship wickets and needs nine more for 100 Jeremiah Louis (Hurricanes) has scored

914 Championship runs and needs 86 more for 1,000 Gudakesh Motie (Jaguars) has taken 96 Championship wickets and needs four more for 100, and Raymon Reifer (Jaguars) has taken 143 Championship wickets and needs seven more for 150.

Squads: JAGUARS (from): Leon Johnson (captain), Christopher Barnwell, Anthony Bramble, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Tevin Imlach, Keon Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Veerasammy Permaul, Akshaya Persaud, Raymon Reifer, Kevin Sinclair, Vishaul Singh, Nial Smith IN–Imlach; OUT– Chandrapaul Hemraj HURRICANES (from): Jahmar Hamilton (captain), Sheno Berridge, Keacy Carty, Rahkeem Cornwall, Montcin Hodge, Amir Jangoo, Jeremiah Louis, Kian Pemberton, Adelvin Phillip, Kieran Powell, Ross Powell, Akeem Saunders, Terance Warde IN–Carty, Phillip, Saunders; OUT–Nino Henry, Jaison Peters, Devon Thomas UMPIRES: Nigel Duguid, Christopher Taylor (Jamaica) MATCH REFEREE: Reon King RESERVE UMPIRE: Javed Persaud (CWI)

WEEK ENDING MARCH 8, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

F

ront-runners Barbados Pride and nearest rivals Guyana Jaguars will be looking to forge ahead in the fierce battle for the Headley/Weekes Trophy in the seventh round of the 2019-20 West Indies Championship, which began on Thursday.

Pride currently head the standings in the Championship on 108.2 points – 29.2 clear of fivetime defending champions Jaguars – and this weekend’s matches should provide another thrilling round of rivalries between the teams.

Webcasts of matches in the West Indies Championship are available on the Windies YouTube Channel and you can subscribe to receive pre-play alerts.

“Live” scoring of all matches is available on the www.windiescricket. com website.

The feature match brings together hosts Trinidad & Tobago Red Force and their arch-rivals Pride at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.

Jaguars host Leeward Islands Hurricanes at the Guyana National Stadium in what has been a fierce rivalry in the past.

And, there will be something a little extraspecial about the rivalry between Windward

All eyes on Pride and Jaguars in title race

motivate them to try to put a stop to the visitors’ advance.

When the two teams met in the fifth round this season, Kraigg Brathwaite’s side emerged from a shaky start to the match to claim a crushing, 299run victory over the Red Force.

This will be the pivot for the two teams: The Pride will be aiming for a repeat of that result, if not the entire performance, and the Red Force will want to prove that was an aberration.

West Indies Under-19 World Cup-winning fast bowler, and Harding, the leading bowler in the Colonial Medical Insurance Super50 Cup this past November, have combined for 59 wickets this season.

The contest looks likely to be a battle of pace vs spin with the Pride bringing their power-packed pace attack and the Red Force putting long-serving legspinner Imran Khan and left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein on the park.

Khan, appointed

into their squad.

This means the batsmen will have their work cut out for them and the side that handles the other’s bowling strength will be the winner.

A number of players stand on the threshold of personal milestones which could be accomplished in the match, if they are selected: Justin Greaves (Pride) has scored 981 Championship runs and needs 19 more for 1,000.

He has also taken 46 Championship wickets and needs four more for

Ottley, Ter­rance Hinds, Je­re­my Solozano PRIDE (from): Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Shamarh Brooks, Shane Dowrich, Dominic Drakes, Justin Greaves, Keon Harding, Chemar Holder, Kyle Mayers, Shayne Moseley, Ashley Nurse, Kevin Stoute, Tevyn Walcott, Jomel Warrican IN–Walcott; OUT– Kemar Roach UMPIRES: Danesh Ramdhanie, Carl Tuckett (St. Kitts & Nevis) MATCH REFEREE: Michael Ragoonath RESERVE UMPIRE: Kashif Sandy

Volcanoes vs Scorpions in St. George’s, Grenada

Islands Volcanoes and Jamaica Scorpions at the Grenada National Cricket Stadium.

Red Force vs Pride in Tarouba, Trinidad

Pride will be seeking to complete the sweep of the Red Force and their sixth successive win this season in this contest.

Red Force narrowly missed out on victory over the Hurricanes in the previous round and the nature of the contests against the Pride in recent years is enough to

Pride have won four of their five matches in Trinidad in the Professional Cricket League era of the Championship, including the last two which were played at the venue for this match, so they will not be daunted by the Red Force challenge.

They, however, will have do without West Indies pacer Kemar Roach, so much will depend on the young pace duo of Chemar Holder and Keon Harding to do their bidding up front.

Holder, the former

captain for this match, has taken more than 400 wickets in his Championship career and returned to action last weekend following injury, with a seven-wicket performance against the Hurricanes.

Hosein has slipped past Holder to move into second place on the list of successful bowlers this season with 30 scalps.

Apart from changing captains, Red Force have made a few personnel changes, including bringing Barbadian Test batsman Kyle Hope back

50; and Jomel Warrican (Pride) has taken 195 Championship wickets and needs five more for 200.

Squads: RED FORCE (from): Imran Khan (captain), Bryan Charles, Cephas Cooper, Joshua da Sil­ va, Jyd Goolie, Kyle Hope, Akeal Ho­sein, Jason Mohammed, Uth­ man Muhammad, Khary Pierre, Anderson Phillip, Isaiah Rajah, Daniel St. Clair IN–Goolie, Hope, St. Clair; OUT–Yannick

This will be another chance for Volcanoes head coach Andrew Richardson, a former Jamaica fast bowler, to try to get the better of the side from his homeland and rekindle the flame in his side following last weekend’s loss to the Pride.

This will be the first time that former Volcanoes head coach Andre Coley will be returning to his former stomping ground and his Scorpions side has a similar objective, after they too, were brushed last weekend, when the Jaguars came into their backyard and manhandled them.

In the second round this season, this contest was marked by highscoring and ended in a draw, which was the first time that neither of the two teams had beaten the other in the PCL era of the Championship.

It is the kind of outcome that both sides might relish for a wel-

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comed boost of confidence after their shattering losses.

Volcanoes hold the edge 3-2 when they play on home soil, but Scorpions will recall that last season they clinched four-wicket victory at the venue for this match.

The home team have made five changes to their squad with West Indies batsman Sunil Ambris returning from One-day International duty in Sri Lanka to lead the side, Test fast bowler Shermon Lewis returning from injury and West Indies Under-19 captain Kimani Melius making his first appearance for the season being the most notable.

Experienced pacer Derval Green returns to the Scorpions side after missing the previous match because of injury.

A number of players stand on the threshold of personal milestones which could be accomplished in the match, if they are selected: Nkrumah Bonner (Scorpions) has taken 45 Championship wickets and needs five more for 50 John Campbell (Scorpions) has scored 2,996 Championship runs and needs four more for 3,000 Roland Cato (Volcanoes) has scored 947 Championship runs and needs 53 more for 1,000, and Devon Smith (Volcanoes) has scored 10,963 Championship runs and needs 37 more for 11,000.

Squads: VOLCANOES (from): Sunil Ambris (captain), Roland Cato, Keron Cottoy, Kenneth Dember, Larry Edward, Andre Fletcher, Kavem Hodge, Ryan John, Shermon Lewis, Preston McSween, Kimani Melius, Devon Smith, Emmanuel Stewart IN–Ambris, Dember, Edward, Lewis, Melius; OUT–Alick Athanaze, Ray Jordan, Desron Maloney, Shane Shillingford, Josh Thomas S C O R P I O N S (from): John Campbell (captain), Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Gordon Bryan, Dennis Bulli, Derval Green, Patrick Harty Jr, Jamie Merchant, Marquino Mindley, Paul Palmer Jr, Denis Smith, Alwyn Williams, Oraine Williams IN–Green; OUT– Nicholson Gordon TURN TO PAGE 50

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WEEK ENDING MARCH 8, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

Guyana bow out at Inter-Guiana Under-21 volleyball tournament

G

uyana experienced mixed fortunes with their male and female teams in some challenging sets at the Inter-Guianas Under-21 volleyball tournament in Cayenne, French Guiana from February 27-29.

This encounter saw the Guyana males drawing first blood 22-25, 2516, 22-25, 26-24, and 15-11. Owing to fatigue after spending three days in Suriname to uplift visas, coupled with the fact that bedtime was permissible until

03:00h on the first night, in French Guiana, it was seen that the Guyanese males faltered in the second encounter with Suriname. They lost 3-1 sets, 25-22, 26-24, 2225 and 25-23. When the aggregate of points was checked, Suriname and French Guiana were the teams who had qualified for the final. However, the Suriname setter suffered an ailment and had to be taken to hospital for treatment; as such, French Guiana had an easy victory.

In the female catego-

ry, after having to play upon arrival following a tiring seven-hour journey, the Guyanese women went under to French Guiana 3 to 0. Against Suriname, they put up a better fight but went down 3 to 0 again, with the score reading 25-23, 26-24, 25-17. Kristoff Sheppard was the only recipient of an award for best server.

In an exclusive interview with Guyana Times International Sport, Head of Guyanese volleyball, Levi Nedd said, “I am not complain-

ing because we lost, but tiredness was a major factor. I feel that we could have done better and as such, better preparation should have been made. I am still proud of

the team; they are young and I know they gave their all, mentally and physically. The females did better than last year as well, but I would like us to have a bigger selec-

tion of players to choose from, so that when competitions come, we can have that pool to select from; that is what we will focus on this year.�

'These are the rules. We can't help it' - Harmanpreet Kaur

H

armanpreet Kaur revealed that India had paid particular attention to the importance of topping the group stage at the World Cup because it would be the deciding factor in the case of a washed out semi-final which proved to be the case against England in Sydney.

India opened their tournament with a win against Australia before securing a clean sweep of the group with wins against Bangladesh, New Zealand and Sri Lanka meaning they finished above Australia.

It meant that when rain washed out the first semi-final at the SCG, India progressed to their first T20 World Cup final.

"We knew from day one when we were going to start this tournament that we would have to win all the games, because if we don't get a match because of any condition, then whoever is at the top in the league, that team is going to play the final. And that's how we started," Kaur said, while also acknowledging that a reserve day would have been preferable. "It was very unfortunate that we didn't get to the game today. But these are the rules. We can't help it."

When England captain Heather Knight was asked if they had paid particular attention to the washout aspect of the semi-finals she said they had not specifically discussed the scenario be-

Harmanpreet Kaur

fore the tournament began but set out wanting to win every match.

"Harman must have got a crystal ball out. I'll have to borrow that from her for the next tournament," she said. "No, you don't think about that. It's such a unique situation. So, yeah, no, we didn't discuss it. We just wanted to get to the semi-finals and win. We plan to try and win every game that we can."

With no match to reflect on in Sydney, attention quickly turned to Sunday and the final where 60,000 tickets have already been sold with the potential of the game-changing momentum and India could bring.

"Definitely we'll get a lot of attention from the people because everybody wants us to play good cricket and they're expecting us to do well,"

Kaur said. "And we will try to give our best. If we win, definitely we'll get a lot of attention and a lot of love from back home."

Kaur's parents and younger brother were at the SCG - the first match her mother had attended - and though there was no cricket for them to watch they will be at the MCG. "It's the first time they were going to watch me playing cricket because my dad did when I was in school. But my mother never watched me play cricket. And she was there," Kaur said. "It means a lot because from day one I wanted them to watch me playing cricket and today I got this opportunity, they have come here to watch all of us playing, and I hope we get all support from all the parents and try to win this tournament."

(ESPNCricinfo)

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WEEK ENDING MARCH 8, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

WEST INDIES V SRI LANKA T20I SERIES

Thomas five-for trumps PereraHasaranga counterattack …Pollard plays 500th T20, passes 10,000 runs Brandon King warmed up too, and joined him for a 74-run partnership off 50 balls, after which a big West Indies score always seemed likely.

When the bigger hitters came in, Simmons wisely just strove to turn over the strike. He batted through the innings, but hit his last boundary in the 10th over. Only five of the balls he faced in the second half of the innings were dots, however.

Perera had just got married on Tuesday,

L

endl Simmons batted through the innings, while Andre Russell and Kieron Pollard clobbered Sri Lanka through the middle overs to propel West Indies to a commanding score in Pallekele.

Despite a half-century from Kusal Perera, Sri Lanka couldn’t get close – they lost five wickets, all to Oshane Thomas inside the Powerplay. And although Perera and Wanindu Hasaranga did their best to revive the innings, Sri Lanka had lost too much ground against the new ball.

West Indies had an intimidating score on the board, but still there was bowling to be done, and Oshane Thomas settled this match inside the first five overs. It wasn’t the most accurate spell.

All up Thomas bowled seven wides. But it was fast and it was hostile, and even on a decent batting track, Sri Lanka’s batsmen (aside from Kusal Perera) could not counter him. Avishka Fernando was the first to be dismissed, by a 140kph bouncer that got big on him, and which he could only top edge to the wicketkeeper.

Shehan Jayasuriya was out next ball, chasing a short wide one that he top-edged to third man. Later in that same over, Kusal Mendis would be dismissed as well, when he tried to shovel a leg-side bouncer over his shoulder and could only get glove to it.

Next over, Angelo Mathews holed out trying to bash Thomas over the legside, and Dasun Shanaka went too far across and had his leg stump disturbed by a full delivery. Thomas wasn’t even required to bowl a fourth over. He’d done

enough damage with the new ball to swing the game, picking up figures of 5 for 28 Andre Russell was playing his first T20 international in 20 months.

Pollard was playing his 500th T20 game.

Together they turned what seemed like it was going to be a good total into a downright commanding one, Russell walloping 35 off 14 balls, before Pollard blasted 34 off 15. So good was the platform the openers had laid that Russell was sent in at No. 4, in the 13th over.

He scored only one run off his first three balls, before his innings took off against Sri Lanka’s wristspinners. He smoked two sixes and a four off Lakshan Sandakan, and two sixes and a four off Wanindu Hasaranga in the next over, to seriously raise West Indies’ tempo. He was dismissed by an outstanding Lasith Malinga yorker, but Pollard came in immediately after to ensure no momentum was lost. Pollard was especially good against his Mumbai Indians teammate Malinga, whose last over he reaped three fours from. He hit two other sixes in his innings.

Before Dre Russ and Pollard could begin their bruising innings’, Lendl Simmons had laid the groundwork. He was imperious behind square on the offside early in his innings, lacing boundaries between point and third man, before in the final over of the Powerplay, he exploded against Isuru Udana, bludgeoning two sixes over square leg, and two fours through the off side, to reap 20 runs off the over. While Simmons got the innings cooking,

but was in the saddle with the Sri Lanka team on Wednesday, producing their best innings.

Having opened, he was the only Sri Lanka batsman who seemed to have the measure of Thomas in the early overs, and would hit confident boundaries square on either side of the pitch, to have Sri Lanka in touch with the required rate through the Powerplay.

He eventually joined forces with Hasaranga, who hit sumptuous early boundaries square

on the offside, and got settled into a smart innings. The pair’s partnership was worth 87 off 57 balls, but they were dismissed seven balls apart.

Perera made 66 off 38 and Hasaranga 44 off 34.

There was hope for Sri Lanka while they stayed together, but it unraveled quickly after they were parted.

Part of the reason why the Perera-Hasaranga stand couldn’t quite turn into a match-winning one was down to Rovman Powell, who bowled some

cheap overs through the middle. He pitched full – often he didn’t pitch at all, delivering low full tosses. Although his bowling seemed innocuous Sri Lanka’s batsmen couldn’t get him away, his first three overs going for only 16 runs. This meant that although Sri Lanka had a fast start, they couldn’t quite maintain that tempo, despite set batsmen being in the middle. Powell would also pick up the wicket of Thisara Perera in his final over.

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WEEK ENDING MARCH 8, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

CONCACAF WOMEN’S U-20 CHAMPIONSHIPS…

Dumornay’s hat-trick sends Lady Jags packing G

uyana’s campaign in the CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championships came to a disappointing end on Wednesday evening as they conceded a 3-0 loss to Haiti in the quarter-final round.

Coming up against the team with the highest goal accumulation in the 2020 tournament, the Guyanese ladies were aware of the difficulty this hurdle would pose. Nonetheless, a starting XI of Anessa O Brien; Jenea Knight; Anaya Johnson; Brianne Desa (Captain); Jessica Myers; Jade Vuyfhuis; Serena Mc Donald; Kiana Khedoo; Nailah Rowe; Shanice Alfred and Audrey Narine was selected to kick-start the quarter-final encounter against Haiti.

With four on the back line, as opposed to five in their highly competitive game against Mexico in the group stage, Guyana managed to hold off Haiti’s top strikers like Valentina

Ornis and Dayana Pierre. However, it was the tournament’s highest goal-scorer Melchie Dumornay who blasted the nets for Haiti’s first goal in the 15th minute. It went downhill for Guyana as their goalkeeper Anessa O Brien picked up an injury and had to be substituted in the 22nd.

Coming in to guard the nets was Raven Edwards- Doedall, who did an impressive job at holding on to Haiti’s many shots at the goal.

Much commendation must be given to the Guyanese defence and even the midfield, who worked tirelessly to ensure that Haiti would be restricted. To make mat-

ters worse for Guyana’s opponents, they seemed unable to finish their plays, missing the goal by miles on many occasions. One such instance was when Valentina Ornis was within range of the nets and had already beaten the Guyanese keeper, but as fate would have it, Ornis’ kick was much too hard,

sailing over the crossbar.

Guyana’s halftime talk seemed to be very effective as they came out all guns blazing in the second segment. Nailah Rowe had the first of Guyana’s real chances when she took a set piece in the 50th minute. The shot was on point, but Haiti’s keeper, Madelina Fleuriot fisted it out of

harm’s way.

Dumornay soon returned to continue her one-woman scoring party, as she found the back of the net in the 54th minute for her second goal. The 16-year-old was not quite done as she tucked in the ball a third time for Haiti’s three in the 60th minute, taking her goals in the tournament to 13.

Dumornay is now tied for the career highest goals in the tournament – 14 goals, having scored one goal in her first outing in the CONCACAF U-20 Championships.

Guyana, with minimal ball possession, found it difficult to find the back of the net or even get close to the area, and as such, could not find a reply to Haiti’s dominance.

Haiti have now advanced to the semi-finals of the tournament, along with the USA, who thumped Canada 4-0 and the Dominican Republic, who stunned Jamaica in a 2-1 game.

WEEK ENDING MARCH 8, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

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