THIS TIME IT MAY BE THE “PLURALITY” RATHER THAN THE “MAJORITY” THAT IS AT STAKE

May 14, 2015 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

All political parties have the right to ask for a recount of the ballots cast in any or all of the polling stations. If this right were removed, it could open the system to abuse.
Polling officials, for example, may decide to designate a valid vote as a spoilt vote. Depending on the number of cases in which this happens, it could disadvantage the parties for which the votes were cast. If upon a recount, it is confirmed that this has happened, then the relevant polling official will have a lot of answer to and may never again be allowed to officiate in an election.
A party may also call for a recount if its polling agents were intimidated and forced to leave the polling station allowing for fraud to occur. It is not the contention of this column that any of these acts that could lead to a recount occurred in the May 11, 2015 elections in Guyana. It is merely to point out that having the right to a recount acts as a deterrent against fraud during the counting of the votes.
After the 2011 elections, the PPPC called for a recount in a number of areas. They did this because they purportedly felt that they were robbed of votes at certain, not all, of the polling stations and thus they wanted a recount. They were seeking an adjustment to their overall tally so that they could secure a majority of seats.
This time around, the PPPC may not be calling for a recount in order to secure a majority. They may be seeking a recount to secure a plurality which is needed for the presidency. I use the word “may” and not “are”. You can based on your own analysis determine which word you prefer to use to describe the PPPC’s actions in demanding a recount.
But it is right to which they are entitled and which must be afforded to them because if you strip away this right you are stripping away a deterrent against fraud.
Right now the vast majority of people in Guyana are anxious for the final declaration of the results to be made. They must be patient. They must not allow themselves to be provoked into violent action, because this would only further set back the process.
It is not the first time that the declaration of results has been delayed. It was either in the 2001 or 2006 elections- may have been in the latter- that the PNCR took action in the courts to delay the release of the results until certain prescribed procedures were followed in relation to how the declaration was to be made. This case took almost two weeks and the official declaration was set back by this period.
It is not likely that this time around the wait will be this long. For one, despite the fact that the PPPC has called for a recount in all region, they have called for a recount of all the ballots. They have however called for a recount of a significant number. It is possible though to undertake the recount in the various regions simultaneously. As such, this recount is not likely to delay the results by more than six hours. Guyanese who have been waiting for a long time for the results, will I am sure, be willing to wait an additional six hours for the recount to take place. Patience and responsibility is therefore necessary.
Right now, it is not the recount that is primarily delaying the results. Even if there were no requests for a recount, GECOM would not have been ready with the final results because they have a long procedure which they are required by law to go through, and also those involved must also be given time to sleep. They are not machines which can go on and on without rest.
Patience and responsibility! These should be the watchwords at this time. Do not be lured into provocation! Do not be provoked into violence. Stay calm! Stay patient! Have no fear, the will of the Guyanese people cannot be denied.

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