While observing the ninth anniversary since the formation of A Partnership for National Unity, the General Secretary of the coalition, Joe Harmon today said they stand firm against threats and actions aimed at violating the trust between the leadership of the coalition and the people of Guyana.

“APNU iterate that Guyana is an independent and sovereign state and respect and cherish our relations at a diplomatic level with all states. We stand firm against any threats or actions which are aimed at violating the trust which exist between our leadership and our people. We will, with patient restraint, await the lawful outcome of our electoral process”.

His statement comes one day after the US Secretary of State announced visa restrictions against persons it believes are undermining democracy in Guyana as the country awaits a final declaration of the election results.

The US has not provided names of the persons who will be affected by the visa restrictions but the embassy has indicated that those persons will be informed by its consular affairs section.

Mr. Harmon today said the APNU+AFC government made several strides in ensuring Guyana’s stability on the international scene. He said no foreign government could accuse the APNU+AFC of corruption or mismanagement in office.

“Guyana today is a nation, and no longer a plantation from whence our history of slavery and indentureship came. The APNU is in a battle for the people of this nation versus those who spent 23 years wrecking it – WRECKERS – the wreckers of stellings, the wreckers of sea defenses, the wreckers of roadways, and the wreckers of lives. That is what our battle is about – construction versus destruction; cooperation versus confrontation and the good life versus poverty and communal disintegration. As we mark that milestone yesterday, dark forces are threatening to pull us apart. APNU believes in a community working together for a common cause. Our approach is rooted in the belief that each citizen performs best in a strong and safe community of people who share common values”.

On the issue of the election results, Harmon maintains that only valid votes should be considered for the final declaration and those valid votes would show a victory for the incumbent.

According to Mr. Harmon, “the CCJ’s ruling clearly invalidated the recount process indicating that the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission was obliged to act in full accordance with the Constitution of Guyana and the judgment of the CCJ and declare the elections results based on the report presented by the Chief Elections Officer.  The people of Guyana and the PPP know that the APNU+AFC have the greater number of valid votes cast in the elections. However, these elections now seem to be no longer about the Guyanese people, but about other interests.”

Harmon said the APNU supports the Coalition’s position that the electoral process is still not complete and that calls to concede in the circumstances are premature and part of a coercive ploy, a violation of the constitution and laws. He said the coalition will not bend.

The APNU General Secretary said the PPP and its backers are seeking to rely on a partial report of a fraudulent recount process to coerce the Chairman of GECOM to make a declaration in their favor.

There is a current challenge before the Court on the use of the recount to determine the final declaration. The matter comes up for oral arguments before the Chief Justice tomorrow.

Related posts:

APNU+AFC maintains “fraudulent votes” cannot be used for final declaration APNU+AFC restates commitment to abide by the Constitution and Representation of the People Act President meets with Coalition partners; Harmon wants CEO to stick to recount report Harmon expects declaration based only on “valid votes”