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E-day atmosphere of tension generated by politicians – Carter Centre
…dubs Sophia incident unfortunate
Even before they issue a full report on their observations, the Carter Center elections mission said that all Guyanese should be proud of what transpired on Election Day, noting that ballots were cast in an atmosphere
Field Office Director Jason Calder, Co-leader Dame Billie Miller, Co-leader Dane Audrey Glover, Associate Director of Democracy Programme Brett Lacy, Director of Democracy Programme David Carroll (From L to R)
of tension and anxiety.
Addressing members of the mission yesterday, Dame Billie Miller, co-leader of the mission, said that the atmosphere which prevailed on Monday was one unfortunately generated by key political leaders who played on fears during the electoral process.
The co-leader added “All Guyanese should be proud of what transpired on Election Day. This is especially true because their efforts took place in an atmosphere of tension and anxiety that, unfortunately, was generated by key political leaders who played on fears during the electoral process.”
She said rumors and allegations of provocative confrontations between ruling and opposition supporters swirled throughout the day but “on closer inspection by International observers, most issues, with only a few exceptions, turned out to be largely unfounded or easily explained. In spite of such attempts to sow discord, Guyanese generally remained calm, cast ballots, and retired for the evening while their votes were counted and transmitted to GECOM throughout the night.”
Dane Audrey Glover, also a co-leader, said that Guyana has an abundance of resources, including rivers, forests, and mines but its greatest resource is its people.
“Neither the Guyanese people nor the country as a whole have been able to develop to their full potential because of the political mobilization of ethnic and racial differences by the main political parties,” the elections observer noted.
The Carter Center co-leader expressed hope that now that the people have expressed their will peacefully and with dignity, political leaders will assume their responsibilities and respective roles as the next government and opposition.
The leaders she hopes will make a great effort to unify the country and strengthen accountability “so that Guyana can grow and develop to take its rightful place in the world.”
Meanwhile, the mission’s Field Office Director, Jason Calder reflected that although former US President Jimmy Carter had to leave Guyana before Election Day, he was able to meet with key political leaders and other members of the Guyanese society.
Reading the words of the former US leader, Calder relayed “Guyana and its people hold a special place in my heart, and I would like to thank them for the well wishes they expressed for me. I had a bad cold and am feeling much better now.”
According to Carter, “Democratic elections have winners and losers, and it is important for politicians to display leadership and magnanimity as Presidents Desmond Hoyte and Cheddi Jagan did at key moments in the past. I believe that the people of Guyana — especially its youth — want a future based on an inclusive democratic society that benefits all Guyanese.”
When questioned about incidents that occurred during Elections Day, Calder said that during the course of the day, observers received reports which were easily explained and quickly diffused and people returned to voting.
He said the few disruptions should not negate the fact that overall, around the country it was a smooth process.
Focusing particularly on the incident in Sophia, Calder said “clearly that type of behaviour is not warranted. It is unfortunate that that took place.”
Hours after the closing of polls across the country, an angry mob in ‘C’ Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, torched several vehicles and attacked a pastor’s home in the belief that PPP/C supporters had set up an illegal polling station in the area.
The building was actually a PPP/C Command Centre.
Calder said on the political side of things there was a united opposition and an increasingly young electorate and “those two things can shake up the dynamics of an elections. It certainly did in 2011.”
The Carter Center election observation mission has been in Guyana since April 8, 2015, following an invitation from the office of the President.
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