Caribbean News

UK And Canada Warn Guyana On Flawed Vote Count

July 21, 2020 | By Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie |

Serious Consequences Could Occur

Photo: Dominic Raab

The failure of the Guyanese election authorities to declare a winner in the disputed vote count since the March 2, 2020 general election drama has not escaped international attention. We at Vision Newspaper have turned our spotlight on this disputed election results. The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Guyana’s final Appellate Court has ruled that the Report issued by the chief Electoral Officer Lowenforye has been declared as:

“Of No Worth”

The court did not declare on the vexed question of a winner of the disputed election of March 2, 2020.

UK and Canada are the latest countries to be concerned at these developments. The UK government has been most vocal.

“UK warns of “serious consequences” if government is sworn in based on fraudulent results.

The UK’S foreign Secretary Dominic Raab in a statement that “transition of government in Guyana should only take place in line with transparent and democratic principles that lead to credible results.”

Photo: United States (US) Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo

“Any government sworn in on the basis of non- credible results will face strong International condemnation, he said if the situation continues to deteriorate, this International response will include a range of serious consequences for those concerned.”

The UK government remains ready along with his partners to assist in ensuring a credible process that provides the democratic outcome that the Guyanese people deserve.

Visa Initiative

The United States government through Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State has warned that visas of certain election officials identified as obstacles to a democratic outcome in the disputed vote count in Guyana could be revoked. This in our view was a strong warning and could even be interpreted as a declaration of war. In fact, we at Vision Newspaper wondered aloud whether this election impasse could be used as a pretext for an invasion of Guyana with a view to installing a new government. Grenada, Panama et al have all been invaded by the US as part of a coalition due to perceived breakdown in the democratic process.

UK’s Warning

It is our further perspective that this blunt warning by the UK’s official Raab is very pointed and should not be scoffed at. We could prefer to see a settlement of the impasse by peaceful means. Will this happen?

Photo: Chief Justice Roxanne George-Wiltshire

This warning comes on the heels of a threat from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, of the United States of America …. visa revocation is the method being implemented.

Late Item Of News

The Actg. Chief Justice Roxanne George-Wiltshire dismissed the case brought by Misenga against the Guyana Election Commission (GECOM).

Basically the Actg. Chief Justice ruled that the CCJ has ruled that most decisions were already settled. There was no further need to try this new case.

It is now up to the Opposition to be sworn in as winners of the disputed General Elections in Guyana.

The Court ruled that further action regarding the disputed Guyana election, should be pursued through an Election Petition.

Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is Senior National & International Correspondent for Vision Newspaper.

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