A plan to rig by claiming rigging?

Feb 09, 2020 Letters

Dear Editor,

On January 30, 2020, oen of the online news media published an article captioned “Jagdeo writes GECOM with concerns of inside “rigging.” In the report Jagdeo claims to have a number of concerns. The opposition leader stated that he wrote GECOM about the following; polling day procedures, how the statement of polls will be transmitted and tabulation of results. Mr. Jagdeo also states that he is also concerned about the staff of GECOM and preparations for upcoming polls. He suggests how he thinks presiding officers and presiding officers should be placed, particularly in Region Four.
Mr. Jagdeo’s purported “concerns” highlight the following issues; firstly, his concerns seem more like him wanting to instruct GECOM as if he was its chair. It appears as though, Mr. Jagdeo forgot that GECOM is an independent body that gets its autonomy and authority from the Guyana Constitution. It’s therefore, mindboggling that Mr. Jagdeo would presumptuously write GECOM to tell it how to do its job. Does Mr. Jagdeo believe that his role as opposition leader gives him the authority to direct GECOM on how to place its staff? Or is he telling us that when he was president, he also directed GECOM, on how to place its staff? I have been watching the PPP, its media arms and Mr. Jagdeo’s attack on GECOM and it is becoming very clear what their strategy is. They have not succeeded in their efforts to rattle, the very formidable female chairperson, so they have occasioned an all-out, brazen attack on the Elections Commission and its system. Outlined in Mr. Jagdeo’s “concerns” appears to be a blueprint of how the PPP might have interfered with prior elections. Mr. Jagdeo has given GECOM an insight into the PPP’s plan.
And, why did he single out Region Four in his letter to GECOM? Those of us who have been analyzing the PPP’s politics, we know that Region Four has always been their target. This region has been the PNCR’s support base over the years and it remains the most populated region in the country. The PPP, over the 23 years in power, has made every effort to dismantle Region Four and reduce its impact in the elections. They have made every effort to change the outlook of the region but that still did not work, people are wiser. So, allegations of rigging in Region Four, after the results are declared seems like an obvious plan.
They also seem bent on interfering or influencing GECOM as it prepares for these most consequential elections. The APNU/AFC must analyze Jagdeo’s “concerns” and ensure that it is prepared to mitigate any efforts by the opposition to derail the holding of free and transparent elections in Guyana. While GECOM has a responsibility to ensure that there is no interference, other stakeholders also have a responsibility to ensure that it acts to ensure that elections are free and fair. People must therefore, be extra vigilant!
Mr. Jagdeo seemed to have outlined how he and the PPP may play their card on elections day. His utterances and apparent concerns must be carefully examined. The intentions of a desperate soul knows no boundary!
Sincerely,
Lurlene Nestor

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