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Mathematical clarification on the no confidence vote
Dear Editor,
Unless a constitution specifically define majority, plurality, minimum, simple or absolute, with parameters, we must accept the highest vote as the winner or a minority in the case of more than 3 parties. This precedence has been set in Guyana.
If we have a two-party or two-candidate race, with an even number of 40 votes casted, the threshold to win a majority you need 40 divided by 2 (which is half or 50%) plus one equals to 21, the goal post. The outcome of half plus one must not exceed the total votes casted.
Therefore, a party to win must have 21 or more seats, i.e. 21 vs. 19 equals 40 votes casted as a minimum. You cannot have a total of more than the votes casted. You can have 30 votes (greater than 21) against 10 votes equals 40 votes cast.
The odd number scenario in Guyana case, if you have 41 votes cast, the threshold is 41 divided by 2 equals 20.5 so you round to 21, because there is no half man nor half vote. In other words, for a winner/majority, he must get a minimum of 21 votes i.e. 21 vs. 20 or 25 vs. 16 etc. In Guyana case, 65 votes cast, the threshold for winning is 65 divided by 2 is 32.5 rounded to 33, is the minimum goal post. Therefore, 33 vs. 32, the total is 65 votes casted. Thirty-three votes is the minimum to win. You can even have 40 vs. 25 etc.
That 34+32 is 66 is incorrect because only 65 votes were cast. Guyana precedence is no invisible voters as compared to other countries, who probably manipulated their systems to hold power, like what the coalition is now trying to do. Can you Imagine Charrandass’s Canadian Citizenship is now an issue? Desperation, desperation to put PPP back in power and killing the Coalition.
The PPP won. The government must do the honourable thing and proceed consistent with the constitution. What is it about power that no government wants to give up? When the coalition won, the PPP bold facedly said the election was rigged even though they controlled the election machinery.
And now the coalition knows 33 is a greater number than 32, consistent with the constitution and precedence of Guyana and want the Speaker to change the result or going to court. How shameful and ministers are talking about threshold on stage. I feel disgraced.
The PPP should go to court and ask this government to resign forthwith because they did not win the election with a convincing majority (4000 votes not a seat) to remove the incumbent PPP. But Dr. Jagdeo again, who back ball Ramotar? Bhagwan?
Mr. Trotman, you are on the right track according to your letter to challenge the APNU, to regain support for the AFC, might be late. Both the Coalition and PPP should now come together and reform the constitution in 90 days.
Failure to do this, we the independent minds must group and campaign for the Amerindian party, unless you are an opportunist.
Yours sincerely,
Pandit Joe Persaud P.ENG, CSCE, EIC
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