Not long now, just let it be

Apr 23, 2020 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

I refer to the headline “Not longer now -GECOM chair says of recount” in another newspaper on April 21. It had better be, as this cannot continue to stretch out interminably. I simply say: let it be. Let this be the final count, this recount, that leads wherever it does. And I say, too, let the chips fall where they may.

The chairwoman of GECOM has been thunderous in her silence, conspicuous by her extended absences. This has fuelled the unending suspicions of many Guyanese, where the worst maligning, the most scandalous of conclusions are rushed towards with the glee of: gotcha again! Gotcha again and again! From my watching of the storms that lashed here since March 3rd, I do not think that anybody, not a single Guyanese of caliber and proven character, has gotten her with anything. Nothing at all, which even the newspaper was compelled to acknowledge and so attest in a note reminding a letter contributor that the besieged chairwoman has followed and not breached in any way what was handed down by the Court of Appeal. On this one, I agree completely with the newspaper.
Now the chair has stood before the media, the Guyanese public (alternately fascinated, or mystified, or furious, or supportive), and the listening cohort of foreigners and essentially committed to “not longer now” regarding a recount. And though I have no standing, I say: it had better be. Because this country cannot absorb or afford much more of this any longer. As to this whole tawdry business of elections, I do not give a damn anymore, and it has been that way for a while now. To repeat my position from before: let the recount take to wherever it does, and then let us take it from there, wherever it leads. Whenever it finalizes, which must be soon.
President David Granger is himself on record as saying repeatedly that he has no authority over either the courts or the activities of GECOM. I have given him the benefit of the doubt. This has been to my detriment. I can live with that, despite many believing that I have extended the courtesy-indeed, the defense-of too much benefit over too much that was doubtful. I stand my ground, as there is still not much to regret. That is, save for the fiasco involving the now disappeared returning officer for Region Four, as well as the move to the court by a supporter, with which I disagree, especially when word was given to Caricom about proceeding. I move on.
President Granger has also said that he awaits the developments and dispositions from GECOM, as delivered by the hand of and in the words of the chairwoman. Again, I think that the president is due the benefit of the doubt that-when the time comes, which is near-he manifests allegiance to his public pronouncements given, and which are now expected to be fulfilled and honoured to the letter. I say this: let this sorry and sometimes sordid episode in our history unravel and unfold to wherever it has to lead now. There are not many more strings, be they in length or in knots or in curls that can continue either to delay or disappoint or deny ultimately what is the true state of affairs relative to this memorable, I would say forgettable, Elections 2020.
Editor, I confess readily to not being the wisest mind around; I am rather far from any such attribute. But by the same token, I am just as far, if not farther, from being the slowest or dumbest around these dark and dense parts. It is why I assert, therefore, that there can be no continuation (“not much longer”) of what has plagued here since early March. It just cannot be, as we have run out of road either to maneuver, or to reverse course, or to go further downhill, or to go anywhere for that matter.
For the last, but one, time, I say these three little words: let it be. Just let it be, and take us out of our agonies, our global shame, and our humiliations. To those, I must add, our wretchedness and nakedness laid bare before so many. I have had enough. I commit here and now that, other than for a quick passing reference, I would make no in-depth mention of Elections 2020. I intend to hold myself to this one. Let the recount begin. Let the roads lead wherever they may. Just let it be.

Sincerely,
GHK Lall

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