Guyanese in Winnipeg remain in dismay over attempts at electoral fraud

Jul 31, 2020 Letters

Dear Editor,

Like so many Guyanese abroad, Guyanese residing in Winnipeg have observed from afar the continuing efforts by the ruling party APNU+AFC to deny our country folk the right to elect the winning party from the elections held on March 2.

Guyana will always be our emotional home. Our small Winnipeg group continues to support schools and communities with books, first aid and sports supplies. Ever since the NCM was passed in Parliament in December 2018, we noted the commencement of APNU+AFC shenanigans.

There were deliberate delays in the appointment of the Chairman of the Elections Commission due to the recalcitrant attitude of Mr. Granger. Indeed the CCJ ruled his initial appointment violated the constitution of Guyana.

When the elections were eventually held on 2nd March, 2020, it was deemed by international observers from OAS, Commonwealth, EEC, CARICOM, Carter Center and accredited local observers to be free, fair and transparent. We noted with dismay, however, in spite of the Statements of Poll revealing the PPP as the winner, the APNU+AFC still claimed victory. Despite the repeated calls then, for them to provide their SOPs as the PPP did in support of their claim, none ever materialized to this day as far as we know.

Instead, what we and the world witnessed was the barefaced irregularities in the tabulations of Region 4 by RO, Clairmont Mingo, to alter the results of the election. We noted since then, repeated attempts by Messrs. Mingo and CEO Lowenfield to provide fraudulent reports to the Commission. We also noted that the CARICOM recount exposed the Mingo fraud and confirmed PPP the winner.

The hijacking of the democratic election process is a huge embarrassment to all Guyanese.

No self-respecting person will walk the streets of Guyana without any clothes, for that individual will feel it’s wrong and feel ashamed – the feeling of social shame for doing a public wrong – yet the saga continues.

We have noted with dismay the constant use, indeed abuse of the courts to thwart the will of the electorate. We are reassured, however, by efforts of both the local and international democratic forces who have remained engaged since 2nd March to support the will of the people of Guyana.

Yours truly,
Beta Seewah
For the Winnipeg Group