APNU+AFC supporters harass rivals, observers, reporters at Region Four vote count
Supporters of the APNU+AFC coalition yesterday harassed representatives of rival political parties, observer groups and members of the media as they stood behind the security barriers outside Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) offices.
Throughout the day, supporters congregated at security barriers set up to observe what was happening.
Just before noon yesterday, at the barrier at Brickdam, they launched verbal attacks on Change Guyana representative Nigel Hinds and others from the small parties as they exited the Office of the Region Four Returning Officer on High and Hadfield streets.
Chants of “Go home! Go home!” were also directed at international observers from the Commonwealth, European Union and Organization of American States missions.
Further, boos drowned out interviews given to the media by political parties’ representatives. In many instances, interviews were drowned out by expletives and other comments uttered by the supporters. Some of the supporters became verbally abusive when persons in the background were asked to be quiet.
Yesterday afternoon, when the tabulation and verification exercise was moved to GECOM’s headquarters at Cowan and High Street, Kingston, the supporters followed but stayed behind the barriers.
This did not, however, prevented them from taunting persons.
At the elections body headquarters, APNU+AFC representative Carol Joseph and A New and United Guyana (ANUG) representative Jonathan Yearwood clashed.
In a video seen by Stabroek News and posted on social media platforms, Yearwood was seen shouting at Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, saying that he is responsible for what is taking place in the nation. During Yearwood’s tongue lashing, Mingo requested that the police escort him out of the compound.
Yearwood then got up and as he was walking out, he pointed his hand at the GECOM officials present and Joseph shouted to him not to point his hands at them and he shouted, “You shut up!” to her.
As Joseph advanced to him, Yearwood said, “You want hit me? I would shove you.” As the two squared off, Yearwood violently shoved Joseph, causing her to stumble back. Joseph rushed back to him as police rushed to intervene and prevented any further physical altercation.
Yearwood was escorted out of the compound and taken to the Brickdam Police Station. Stabroek News understands that he was later released.
Meanwhile, as several persons approached police to be allowed to pass the barriers, the supporters rushed up to them and declared that no one was allowed to pass and if they do, they too should be allowed beyond the barriers.
One man, who claimed to live in the area and was prevented by the police from passing through, moved one of the barriers and as he was about to enter, he was attacked by the supporters, who later jeered him as he took pictures of the crowd. He was taunted until he left the area.
Approximately 20 minutes later, some members of the media had to move to another location, and some persons followed.
At this barrier on Fort and High streets, as a group of media personnel managed to make their way through the barrier after presenting their accreditation, the persons rushed behind and managed to gain access. One woman, who jumped across the barrier, fell on her face in the process. It is unclear if she was injured.
The police although present did not intervene. The supporters also teased and verbally abused PPP representatives, who were waiting outside of the tabulation centre. After spending some time, the persons left the area but later returned and continued to taunt the PPP supporters, causing them to leave the area.
Slurs were also directed at media personnel, who stood among them.
Meanwhile, accredited media personnel, after exiting the barriers, were not allowed to return despite pleas to the police.
At around 7.50 pm, the supporters barged through the barrier without the police doing anything to restrict them.
Later, around 10.50 pm, the GECOM Public Relations Officer (PRO) Yolanda Ward had signaled to members of the media that they would be invited to provide coverage of a declaration to be made by the Returning Officer for Region Four. She mentioned that security officers were briefed and would allow members of the media to access GECOM’s
compound. However, when members of the media arrived again at the barricade they were met by APNU+AFC supporters who repeatedly hurled insults and threats, saying that they were not welcomed. Subsequently when reporters made their way past the protestors, they were met by officers who told them that they would not be allowed to go beyond the barricade positioned at High and Lamaha streets.
As they stood at the barricades and waited, the PRO indicated that an officer will give them access to the building, however they were forced to leave the area as they feared for their safety as the protestors became rowdy. On the northern side of the commission’s office, a human barricade was formed beyond the police barricade by the party supporters as they continued to prevent members of the media from speaking with police officers at that end. One reporter was almost physically assaulted by the protestors.
The declaration was subsequently made inside the commission’s compound.