APNU+AFC to address “narrative” that created threat of sanctions; Remains supportive of legal recount

At a press conference, this morning, APNU+AFC Executive and Campaign Co-Manager Joe Harmon said the threats are being taken seriously and citizens must realise that not just one group would be affected by any sanctions.

APNU+AFC to address “narrative” that created threat of sanctions; Remains supportive of legal recount

The incumbent APNU+AFC coalition is concerned about the threat of sanctions from the British and American governments and has indicated that it has started a process to correct the narrative that may have triggered the threats.

The British and US governments have been warning about consequences that could come Guyana’s way if a government is sworn in on results that are not seen as credible.

At a press conference, this morning, APNU+AFC Executive and Campaign Co-Manager Joe Harmon said the threats are being taken seriously and citizens must realise that not just one group would be affected by any sanctions.

“Sanctions are something we have to be concerned about in this country because it could affect the development of the country and it can stymie that development and therefore anyone who feels that sanctions will affect one group of persons, it will affect everybody”, Harmon said.

He stated that the coalition is taking steps to address a narrative that was created to change the perception of the government and the country.

“There is a narrative out there which seems to have affected the way in which Guyana was perceived, the way in which the government was perceived and we as a government have taken certain steps to correct that narrative out there”.

Harmon said the opposition People’s Progressive Party has been pushing for the sanctions to come down on Guyana and that is anti-national.

On the issue of a recount of the votes, Harmon said the APNU+AFC is supportive of a recount, but that recount must fall within the laws of Guyana.

He told reporters that the party has always been supportive of a recount and not interfering with the work of the Guyana Elections Commission.

It was President David Granger who initiated the national recount after reaching out to CARICOM and getting the agreement of the Opposition Leader. But the process never got underway as an interim injunction sought by a coalition candidate was granted.

Today, Mr. Harmon said the APNU+AFC became a party to the matter before the Court as other interested parties did the same.

Harmon said the coalition wants to see an end to the electoral process and his party is supportive of that credible process and a process that falls within the laws of Guyana.

“We believe in the law and once the law provides for it… if it is by a declaration of the Chairman of GECOM or it has to go to Court, by way of a petition, whatever is the outcome of it, we will support it. So we want to make it very clear because it seems as if there is another narrative out there from the other side and is seeking to say we are hiding from it. We are not hiding from anything”, Harmon said.

According to Mr. Harmon, the coalition remains convinced that it has won the elections and when the Court matters and other issues are completed, the way should be cleared for a final declaration by the Guyana Elections Commission.

He said the APNU+AFC Coalition has always relied on the independence of the Guyana Elections Commission to do its work.

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