Granger urges supporters to remain patient

President David Granger last evening urged supporters to remain patient and await the official declaration of results from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) as no one knows the “final scores.”

“I cannot make a declaration tonight because the elections commission has not received all of the declarations from the returning officers,” Granger said to hundreds of supporters gathered outside APNU+AFC campaign headquarters on Lamaha Street. He added that the coalition and the opposition PPP/C have both made “challenges” in some regions. Up to last night, only the declaration from Region Four remained outstanding.

In a short address to the large crowd, the president said that the party worked hard throughout the campaign and even as persons turned out in their numbers to vote on Monday, now the entire process is in the hands of GECOM.

He added that some of the ballots have been counted while others were not, even as he noted that they had hoped to have the elections results already. “We cannot make an announcement until the elections commission makes a declaration,” he emphasised, encouraging supporters to be patient as verification will be conducted throughout the night as he said nobody knows the “final scores.” “So tonight I ask you to remain calm… as soon as we get word we will make a public announcement but right now…it is not possible. So I crave your indulgence, let us patiently wait until a declaration comes from the elections commission,” Granger told supporters. Following that announcement, some disappointed supporters immediately left the area. The president said that he is hopeful that a declaration would be made today.

Hundreds of APNU+AFC supporters had gathered within the vicinity of the party’s campaign headquarters to await the announcement of the March 2 general and regional elections results from GECOM. Supporters took to the streets earlier in the afternoon at around 2pm in preparation for the official declaration of the results. As supporters gathered under tents set up on the government reserve north of Lamaha Street, music was played and as the crowd grew and took over the street, police officers were called and they closed Lamaha Street between the intersections with Camp Street and Waterloo Street.