ERC welcomes vote recount deal

The Ethnic Relations Commission, (ERC) has welcomed the decision by President David Granger and Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, for CARICOM to supervise a full recount of votes cast for the March 02, 2020, General and Regional Elections and “to abide by the findings as long as the integrity of the ballot boxes are not compromised”.

This, the Commission said in a statement yesterday, would bring an amicable end to the current political impasse

.“The decision also demonstrates that meaningful and genuine collaboration across the political aisle is achievable and vital to help resolve inherent differences and challenges.

“It also has tremendous potential to heal the current unwelcome and prevailing divide among our people. The Commission remains optimistic that the full details of how the recount would be undertaken will be agreeable to all and the conduit to derive desirable credible results”, the ERC said.

The Commission commended President Granger and Jagdeo for being able to find common ground to move forward in the best interest of Guyana and Guyanese; CARICOM’s Chairperson, Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia

Mottley, for supporting Guyana during this difficult time, for mediating between the political leaders and for assembling the team supervising the recount and the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Rtd) Claudette Singh, for facilitating the process.

The Commission reiterated its call for all Guyanese to act responsibly; to demonstrate tolerance, respect and restraint especially during this period and to heed the messages for togetherness, harmony and good relations.