The Week-in-Review - July 12 to July 18

Elections

Granger urged to ‘step aside’ as US revoking visas from those undermining democracy here:

The United States government last Wednesday called on the David Granger-led APNU+AFC administration to step aside in recognition of the results of the March 2nd general elections and it also announced visa restrictions for persons “undermining democracy” and those complicit in same. Family members of complicit persons may also face a similar fate, Washington said, after weeks of warnings to the administration here which continues to cling defiantly to power despite the recount results. Washington’s declaration in effect means that no matter what happens from this point onwards, there would be no recognition for Granger even if he found some way to continue holding on to power. Observers have noted that Washington’s patience and those of its key allies here like Canada and the UK has been exhausted. Eyebrows were raised yesterday that the US would take these measures even while a new elections-related case has landed in the High Court. Observers say Washington has grown tired of the contrived obstacles that have been thrown up to the declaration of the final result including the launching of flimsy court cases. “Today, I am announcing visa restrictions on individuals who have been responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Guyana,” US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told a State Department press briefing yesterday morning in Washington. “Immediate family members of such persons may also be subject to these restrictions,” he added.

Court to rule on Monday on challenge to block GECOM from using recount to declare elections winner: Acting Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire, SC, will on Monday rule on the lawsuit seeking to block the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) from declaring the winner of the March 2nd polls using the votes from the national recount. A court challenge was filed last Tuesday to block the attempt by Chairperson of GECOM, retired judge Claudette Singh, to declare the winner of the March 2nd polls using the results of the national recount process. The Chief Justice heard oral arguments on Friday. The new legal action, brought by Tucville resident Misenga Jones, contends that Singh can only make a declaration from the report submitted by the Chief Election Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield and that neither she nor the Commission can dictate to him what his report should contain. As a result, Jones, who is represented by attorney Mayo Roberston, asserts that GECOM is obligated to accept the CEO’s report of June 11th, in which he relies on the declarations made up to March 13 by the Returning Officers for the 10 administrative regions. Those declarations, which were disputed due to the manipulation of the Region Four results, had been held in abeyance as the recount was agreed to. The recount showed the PPP/C won the majority of votes, while Lowenfield has sought to declare results in favour of the incumbent APNU+AFC. GECOM, Singh, Lowenfield and the Attorney General have been listed as respondents in Jones’ action.

GECOM chair sets aside district declarations, orders CEO for fourth time to deliver recount results: GECOM last Monday moved closer to the declaration of the PPP/C as the winner of the March 2nd general elections with Chairperson Claudette Singh setting aside the 10 declarations submitted to the Commission on March 13, 2020 and ordering the embattled CEO Lowenfield for the fourth time to submit the results of the painstaking national recount. Speaking with reporters following another marathon meeting, government-nominated commissioner Vincent Alexander said that Singh “in a judgelike manner reverted to the 16 June and has instructed the CEO to prepare a report in keeping with the results of the recount.” “If in any circumstances he does not make that submission [the chair] has already decided that the task with be given to the Deputy Chief Election Officer [Roxanne Myers],” he added. The 10 declarations had been held in abeyance until the conclusion of the National Recount on June 8. They include the since discredited declaration of District Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo. Opposition-nominated commissioners and the PPP/C had previously urged Singh to remove these declarations but she had said that they would be left in abeyance. Singh has come under mounting local and international pressure to declare the result of the recount.

Ralph Gonsalves says entire world knows small group trying to hijack Guyana elections: In strong language, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves last Wednesday said that the entire world knows that a small clique is trying to hijack Guyana’s elections. “A rogue clique within Guyana cannot be allowed to disrespect or disregard, with impunity, the clear, unambiguous ruling of the CCJ. The time for decisive action is shortly upon us,” Gonsalves, the Chairperson of CARICOM, said in a personal editorial.

OAS Secretary General requests Permanent Council meeting on Guyana: Amid continuing concerns about the electoral crisis in Guyana, Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General Luis Almagro moved for a meeting of the Permanent Council of the body on the electoral crisis here. Almagro has written to Chair of the Permanent Council, Luis Fernando Cordero Montoya seeking support to call a meeting of the Permanent Council “to deal with the situation of the electoral process in Guyana”. The OAS has paid close attention to the process here and issued numerous statements calling for adherence to the recount results and expressing concern about partisan electoral officers. The Head of the OAS observer mission to the March 2nd general elections, Bruce Golding had reported to the Permanent Council in May about the electoral fraud committed in the elections by District Four Returning Officer. The process has been plunged into further crisis by the defiance of Lowenfield, whose latest report showing a `win’ for the incumbent APNU+AFC, has been repudiated by the OAS. Both the OAS and CARICOM are expected to meet this week on Guyana.

Health

Mask wearing now mandatory in public under updated COVID-19 measures: As COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to rise, the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) on Thursday announced that the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions is going to continue as planned, albeit with some new conditions, such as mandatory mask wearing for all persons in public spaces.

The third phase is expected to last for a period of two weeks. Since the commencement of Phase Two of the reopening, which began on July 3rd, 59 new COVID-19 cases have been recorded and five deaths. As part of the Third Phase, all persons are required to wear a face mask in public spaces at all times. Additionally, the national curfew hours are now 8pm to 6am, except in regions Five and Six, where the curfew will only be in effect on weekends; restaurants are now allowed to open for pickup, delivery, and takeaway services up to midnight; outdoor dining at restaurants is permitted between 6am and 6pm with distancing guidelines; public and private sector workers are to return to work on a rotation basis; clothing, shoes and book stores are now allowed to reopen between 8am and 5pm; and transportation is now allowed to operate with 75% passenger capacity, with passengers required to wear PPE (masks).

COVID-19 death toll rises to 19: Two more deaths last week saw the national death toll from COVID-19 reach 19. A 74-year-old resident of Campbellville Housing Scheme died as a result of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) last Sunday. According to GPH Public Relations Officer, Chelauna Providence, Milton Paul died at the GPH shortly after he was tested for COVID-19 on July 12. She informed that two days prior, Paul was brought to the Accident & Emergency Unit of the GPH and was admitted to the hospital. She said shortly before his death, Paul, who suffered from multiple underlying health conditions, was transferred to the transition ward due to the state of his condition. She confirmed that the positive test results returned on Tuesday, making Paul the 18th COVID-19 fatality. On Thursday, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) confirmed a 19th COVID-19 related death after a man passed at the GPH COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on Wednesday afternoon. The new deaths occurred just amidst rising cases while the country moved to continue a phased reopening since the institution of restrictions in April.

Crime

Lusignan prison dorm burnt after drug seizure, assault on prisoner: Almost a dozen inmates were injured and hundreds more dislocated when prisoners set fire to a dorm last Sunday at the Lusignan Prison following a drug seizure. There was no reported death or escape. This was the third major fire at a prison facility in just over four years. On March 3rd 2016, prisoners set fire to the capital offences section of the Camp Street Prison and 17 prisoners died. On July 9th, 2017 the entire Camp Street facility was burnt to the ground by prisoners. Director of Prisons Gladwin Samuels on Monday reported that a preliminary investigation found that the seizure of contraband items, including marijuana, from an inmate and the assault of another by prison officers triggered the unrest. He also announced that four prison officers have been reassigned from the facility to facilitate the ongoing probe. The building which was destroyed housed the administrative office, kitchen and facilities for approximately 185 to 190 prisoners. The structure was made of mostly wood and was in existence for a number of years.

Lusignan contractor riddled with bullets at job site: A contractor died after being riddled with bullets while at a construction site in D’Urban Street, Lodge on Thursday evening. Dead is Kissoondatt Premsukh, a well-known contractor of 183 Lusignan, East Coast Demerara. At least one person was taken into custody over the fatal shooting. Premsukh had been the target of a shooter in June.

Dazzell youth knifed to death, suspect charged: A 19-year-old man from Dazzell Housing Scheme, Enmore, on the East Coast of Demerara was fatally stabbed on Tuesday during a row. Barneth McKenzie, of 371 14th Street, was pronounced dead on arrival at the GPH died after a fatal altercation with another teenager. His assailant, Aquil Farrington, 18, of Lot 468 Dazzell Housing Scheme, Paradise was charged with manslaughter at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court on Friday. He was not required to plead to the indictable offence. Farrington was asked to post $500,000 bail for his release. He is expected to return to court on August 28th for this next hearing.

Attempt to set fire to Umana Yana thwarted: An attempt to set fire to the Umana Yana was foiled last Sunday after an alert security guard raised an alarm scaring off a would be arsonist. A source told Stabroek News that a man had scaled the fence and thrown a flammable object towards the roof, which is constructed mainly from thatched troolie palm leaves. The security guard after hearing of a commotion made checks and found a section of the roof on fire. She alerted a police patrol that was in the area and they managed to help put out the fire. No one has been arrested. In 2014, the national monument which is located in Kingston, Georgetown was destroyed by fire. The Kingston building, which was built by Amerindians in 1972, was ravaged within a matter of minutes despite attempts by the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) to save it. The fire, suspected to be electrical, began sometime between 3:25pm and 3:29pm.

Marcus Bisram’s mother sentenced to one year for $4M bribe offer to cop: Sharmila Inderjali, the mother of former murder accused Marcus Bisram, was on Friday sentenced to one year in jail after being found guilty of offering a detective $4 million to forego charges against Bisram and others. Her co-accused, Maryanna Lionel, was also sentenced to one year in jail. The two women were found guilty of the crime last week Friday and were sentenced by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly, who presided over their trial.

Deaths

Renowned Guyanese archaeologist and artist George Simon passes away: Guyanese archaeologist and renowned artist Dr George Simon died of cancer last Wednesday. He was 73. Simon died in Spain where he was residing. A native of St Cuthbert’s Mission, he was one of the most revered artists of Guyana. He was also known for his achievements as an educator, his efforts to develop opportunities for Amerindian artists in Guyana, and for his work as an archaeologist.