Foreign powers urge free and fair elections in Guyana

Two days after President David Granger announced a firm election date, the United States, Britain, and the European Union (EU) have collectively issued a statement now urging free and fair elections in Guyana.

“It is now essential to ensure free and fair elections which we are pleased to support with elections assistance and monitoring along with other colleagues in the international community,” the joint statement by United States Ambassador to Guyana Sarah-Ann Lynch, United Kingdom High Commissioner to Guyana Greg Quinn and the Head of Delegation of the European Union to Guyana, Fernando Ponz Cantó noted on Friday.

Earlier this month, the western diplomats representing these country’s interest in Guyana, urged all the players in Guyana politics to abide by the “definitive” orders of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) related to the holding of general elections.

In this follow up statement, the diplomats have expressed satisfaction that March 2, 2020, has been announced by the President as the earliest possible date for the holding of elections.

The President’s announcement came following advice from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) that it will be in a state of readiness to hold those elections by the end of February 2020.

Guyana was forced to call premature elections following a successful vote of no confidence against the government back in December 2018.

Elections were to be held three months later but following a challenge of the vote in Guyana’s local Court and finally the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), the vote was finally upheld by the CCJ.

The Court had issued several orders subsequently, one urging the holding of general elections in keeping with the Constitution.

The Opposition People’s Progressive Party had hoped to have those elections rolled out in September but the process was stalled by an ongoing House to House registration exercise and now a period of Claims and Objections.

GECOM has finally said it will be ready by February next year with the President naming March 02 as the tentative date for the holding of those elections.

He is now looking to have his Government return to Parliament to extend its life but with the Opposition threatening to stay away, the President has insisted that elections will be no sooner than March 02, 2020.