Miners body calls on GECOM to conclude Region Four tabulation within the law

Warning about the possible blacklisting of the country, the miners association yesterday called on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to conclude the tabulation of results for Region Four in accordance with the law.

In a sharply worded statement on the crisis engulfing the country over the Region Four results, the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) also echoed the call issued yesterday by the western countries for “President Granger to avoid a transition of government” as it would be “based on a vote tabulation process that lacked credibility and transparency.”

The GGDMA urged the contesting parties not to accept the Region Four results as delivered on

Thursday even it was in their favour.

“GECOM must follow the legally sanctioned process that would allow for the credible and transparent declaration of the results and not allow a cloud of suspicion to continue to hang over the elections, the final result and any future government”, the miners’ body said.

The GGDMA called on Chairwoman of GECOM, Justice (retired) Claudette Singh, of GECOM to publicly denounce any illegal proceeding and return to an agreed process that fosters transparency. The GGDMA further called on GECOM and all parties to complete the verification and tabulation process using the statements of poll and ensure that the final results are free from suspicion and doubt.

The GGDMA said that there is still an opportunity for the election to regain credibility once it follows the legally prescribed pathway.

“We do not wish to see the land of our birth join the ranks of countries that are labelled undemocratic. We do not wish to see the future of our industry blacklisted from international trade, we do not wish to see the future of our children condemned to suffer the same fate as some of our South American neighbours. As Guyanese, we must accept the reality that an unconstitutional government will result in our nation being the subject of international sanctions on all trade and travel”, the GGDMA said.

The release said that the attempt by GECOM on 5th March 2020 to declare an election winner before tabulating all of the results from the Statements of Poll was an “embarrassing, unintelligent and totally unacceptable attempt to rig a peaceful election”.

The release said that Guyana’s fragile democracy has been undermined by irresponsible claims of vast oil wealth - from the unrealistic US$168 billion put forward by Global Witness to the more modest tens of billions from energy commentators and foreign press. These claims, the release said, ignore the reality of Guyana’s unconscionable petroleum deal with Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd., CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Ltd., and Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd.

Janki was quoted in the release as saying that, “Guyana must not base its future on an unstable and unsustainable petroleum foundation”.

In defence of the Constitution and democracy JIG urged that GECOM obeys national law and completes tabulation of the Statements of Poll. It also called on the World Bank to immediately suspend all oil related projects and activities in Guyana until democracy is restored. It further demanded that all oil production and exploration activities be suspended safely and without risk to Guyana’s fragile marine environment until democracy is restored.

It also urged that the next government obeys the Constitution and puts Guyana on a comprehensive sustainable development path.