Latest update November 21st, 2024 1:00 AM
GCCI laments hampered business
…blames sloth in declaration of results
The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) issued a public missive yesterday, to the effect that it is deeply concerned by the apparent refusal of the incumbent People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) to accept the results of the 2015 General and Regional elections.
GCCI President,
Lance Hinds
The organization made note of the fact that all the observer missions, both local and international, have deemed the elections to be free and fair.
It added that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), sometimes to the agitation of sections of the population, went to great pains to ensure that all the results published were accurate and beyond question. Yet, the incumbent has refused to accept defeat.
GCCI said, “The uncertainty created by this state of affairs has caused business, productivity and the entire country to grind to a halt. As a nation, we cannot continue to suffer because of the machinations of parts of our political establishment. We therefore urge all parties to accept the results of the elections. There is a legal recourse available for all those who are dissatisfied with any part of the electoral process.”
Since Monday—Election Day—Regent Street, the main commercial Street in Guyana, has been dormant.
The owner of an established clothing store on Regent Street for over ten years had told Kaieteur News, “Well it is all mixed feelings for me. I am anxious to know who will be the next President, if is Granger or if Ramotar will come back.”
“But it is like the city is dead. I opened from 8:00 hrs and I closed up within two hours because people are not out. Everyone is staying in but I would not waste my time opening today. I really want them to hurry and announce the results, because it is killing business for me.”
Another downtown businessman said, “Oh my goodness, I am scared and other businesses are afraid of what is going to happen during this time, because it is a very serious election. I know Ramotar got much to lose and I saw how they rile up the supporters around the country and then Granger come with this “game changing plan”.
“It is a tight race and people on both sides are ready to fight within the second. But I more worried about what will happen after the results. This entire period is slowing up business though.”
Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Ramesh Persaud, had said that the business community is very nervous and several have been closed out of caution.
He said that the unrest in Sophia on Monday night has also had an effect on businessmen. On that night, Riot police, backed by soldiers had to defuse an explosive situation in ‘C’ Field, Sophia, after an angry mob 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 PPPC Command Centre, which had no ballot boxes, as several residents had believed. The Lot 589 ‘C’ Field property which came under attack is owned by Pastor Narine Khublall.
The riot all started because of a rumour, reportedly spread by a passing minibus driver, who claimed that the PPP/C has set up an illegal polling station at the location. As the rumour spread, several angry residents began converging in front of Mr. Khublall’s property, where a PPP banner had been on prominent display for the past two months.
The rumour was fuelled by the sight of heightened activity at the house, as the PPP mobilized its supporters to vote.
In all, eight vehicles, including a minibus and three SUVs, one of which belonged to PPP candidate Joseph Hamilton, were destroyed by the time police and army ranks brought the situation under control.
Persaud said that the Commission is disappointed with the incident and it is hoped that the situation does not repeat itself.
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