The Organisation of American States Observer Mission for the Guyana Elections is maintaining that there were grave errors with the declaration of votes for Region Four that raised questions about the transparency and credibility of that tabulation process.

The Head of the OAS Observer Mission, Former Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding reported to the OAS Permanent Council this morning that based on the current recount process so far, it is becoming clear that some of the declarations that were made by the Returning Officer for Region Four were tainted.

He said of the 81 ballot boxes recounted for Region Four as of Tuesday, 20 of those boxes contained errors when compared to the numbers that were declared by the Region Four Returning Officer.

“Up to yesterday, 81 boxes had been recounted for Region Four. Of those 81 boxes, in 20 of those 81 boxes, the vote for APNU were decreased by 1,536 and the vote for PPP were increased by 177…I have never seen such a transparent effort to alter election results”, Golding told the OAS Permanent Council.

Mr. Golding also offered examples of changes that have occurred in the vote count in specific boxes for Region Four as a result of the recount. He offered four examples where he said the recount numbers match what was provided in the Statements of Poll on elections night but varies with the numbers that were tabulated by the Returning Officer for Region Four.

Golding said electoral process up to  the close of the polls went well and the tabulation of results in all of the regions except Region 4 also went well.

He said it was the tabulation of the Region Four votes that delayed and tained the electoral process.

Mr. Golding also pointed out that at some stages of the tabulation process, disruptions by GECOM officials raised questions about the transparency of the process. He also pointed to a physical confrontation between the Police and officials of a political party at the Returning Officer’s office.

The OAS Permanent Council was also told that since its Observer Team departed Guyana, it has been in contact with the local OAS office and has been monitoring the developments.

The OAS has representatives observing the ongoing recount of votes.

Related posts:

Golding tells OAS Guyana has failed democracy litmus test with election situation OAS Secretary-General seeks Permanent Council meeting on Guyana situation EU Observer group expects expeditious conclusion of Electoral process APNU+AFC blasts Bruce Golding over Statements to OAS