“Nationwide recount not possible”

OKB chairwoman:

“A nationwide recount of all the votes that were cast on May 25 is not possible. Such a recount would only be possible if a calamity has influenced the outcome of the elections,” said the chairwoman of the Independent Election Bureau (OKB), Jennifer van Dijk-Silos, in response to the news that the head of state, Desi Bouterse, wants a recount of all the votes. Van Dijk-Silos explained that it is up to the OKB to make a decision in such matters. She also explained that nearly all of the polling stations are done with their work. According to the chairwoman, it is not clear on what grounds the political party NDP wants a nationwide recount. The chairwoman of the OKB indicated that she wants to declare the results of the elections of May 25 binding as soon as possible but that it would take at least two weeks to do so. “It must not take any longer than that. It is not allowed,” said the chairwoman who added that any delay would only create more uncertainty. “So we are taking that into account and we are working extremely hard. One must also keep in mind that the new members of parliament must be sworn in before the end of June.” Van Dijk-Silos made it clear that she would not have any good memories regarding the general elections of May 2020 because they were the most poorly organized ones that she has ever experienced in Suriname. The chairwoman condemned the fact that opinion makers and members of political parties create more uncertainty by publishing unverified information. She explained that they are unnecessarily discrediting the integrity of the organizations in charge of the elections. “Melvin Bouva, the appointed spokesman of the NDP is one of the people who launched inaccurate information regarding the extension of the opening hours of the polling stations. Everybody must stop,” said van Dijk-Silos who added that the decision to extend the opening hours was made in consultation with the chairman of the NDP.