Latest update January 13th, 2025 3:10 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Mr. Granger too should have conceded the elections in nine days?

Nov 14, 2021 Letters

Dear Editor,

Kaieteur News – This story was reported in NYT on Nov. 11th:
“Jack Ciattarelli, a Republican vying to unseat Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey, will concede defeat on Friday (Nov 12th) acknowledging that there is no chance he can overcome the 74,000-vote gap now separating the candidates, according to two people close to his campaign.”
It took nine days.
Reading this story made me think of David Granger and Guyana’s election of March 2020. That election drama dragged on for 5-months. It felt like the country was going to hell in a hand basket. Here is the crucial question: If a presidential candidate can recognize that all the facts and data point to him losing the election, shouldn’t he do the honourable thing and concede the elections?
Some countries have inherent divisions – social, cultural, racial – which grow deeper, become more tense and implode into riots and violence. A reasonable candidate will always do the right thing to preserve the peace and basic unity of his nation. A reasonable candidate would not push his nation to the brink. What was Mr. Granger thinking? He continues to maintain to this day that he had nothing to do with the undeclared result which took 5-months to resolve. (Reportedly, the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo forced GECOM and Mr. Granger, himself, to bring the impasse to an end – or else it might have dragged on much longer).
Mr. Granger’s argument was that he stood ready to concede whenever GECOM declared the result. But GECOM had been taken over by corrupt officials loyal to Mr. Granger’s party. GECOM had been in a state of paralysis and dysfunction. GECOM’s chairperson was either handicapped from acting or failing to perform her constitutional duties to the State. The litigants on both sides were looking to the Courts for a resolution – but the Courts too were of little or no help. Where did that leave Mr. Granger? Did the dysfunction at GECOM give Mr. Granger an excuse? I believe a good candidate must always be in charge of his campaign – and should act wisely to uphold the constitution, as well as preserve the social fabric of the society over which he ruled or wants to rule. Allowing the Constitution to fall by the wayside, allowing the social fabric to unravel – you give democracy no chance to take hold and thrive.
In Guyana, I believe election results, by law, should at all times be declared by midnight on the day of the elections. In the event of compelling circumstances that cause a delay, that matter must be resolved within a few days. Not five paralyzing months. The candidate himself must take the initiative to resolve the problem. That is what makes him an honorable statesman. In the year 2,000, Al Gore conceded the election after a few weeks (“And tonight, for the sake of our unity as a people and the strength of our democracy, I offer my concession”). Candidate Ciattarelli in New Jersey conceded because he cannot overcome the 74,000 vote gap. It took him nine days.
Mr. Granger too should have done the honourable thing and conceded the election within nine days – or less.

Yours truly,
Mike Persaud

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | January, 10th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Kennard Memorial Turf Club releases Race dates for 2025

Kennard Memorial Turf Club releases Race dates for 2025

Jan 13, 2025

Kaieteur Sports – The prestigious Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) situated at Bush Lot Farm Corentyne Berbice has released its racing dates for the year 2025. The club which is one of the...
Read More
Region Six Education Department Renews Golf Initiative with Guyana Golf Association

Region Six Education Department Renews Golf...

Jan 13, 2025

Savory, Persaud show class ahead of Regional C/ships with fifties

Savory, Persaud show class ahead of Regional...

Jan 12, 2025

Spectators experience and playing standards high on the agenda says Minister Ramson

Spectators experience and playing standards high...

Jan 12, 2025

Archery Guyana’s 2024 Senior Barebow Open Officially Declared Open

Archery Guyana’s 2024 Senior Barebow Open...

Jan 12, 2025

Body of Chinese national who fell from new Demerara River bridge recovered

Body of Chinese national who fell from new...

Jan 11, 2025

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]