I cannot claim victory or concede defeat; GECOM Chair still to declare final results -Pres. Granger

Speaking to reporters this morning at State House, the President responded to calls by some observers in and out of Guyana for him to concede. He said the Guyana Elections Commission is still to make a final declaration on the elections.

I cannot claim victory or concede defeat; GECOM Chair still to declare final results   -Pres. Granger

President David Granger has once indicated that he intends to abide by the declaration that is made by the Guyana Elections Commission on the elections, pointing out that it is the Commission that has to do its work to bring the process to finality.

Speaking to reporters this morning at State House, the President responded to calls by some observers in and out of Guyana for him to concede. He said the Guyana Elections Commission is still to make a final declaration on the elections.

“The Executive branch of Government does not have a role in managing elections. That role is given under the Constitution exclusively and explicitly to the Elections Commission. I cannot claim victory, which I have not done, and I cannot concede defeat, which I have not done unless I am notified formally by the Chairman of the Elections Commission what the results of the elections of the 2nd March have been. I don’t know what the Elections Commission will declare”, the President said.

In a recent radio interview, the President said he believes the Elections Commission ought to deal only with valid votes for a determination of the results of the elections.

The incumbent APNU+AFC is supportive of that position as it would mean scores of votes that were suspected of being linked to various anomalies would be discarded. But the People’s Progressive Party believes the Chief Election Officer has no power to discard votes. The PPP is so worried about the issue that it has filed a case before the CCJ and through one of its members is pushing private charges against the Chief Election Officer.

The undeclared recount of all votes cast is in favour of the PPP while the undeclared valid votes as dictated by the Chief Election Officer would be in favour of the APNU+AFC.

President Granger said he is awaiting the final report from the Chairman of the Elections Commission and it is that report that he will act upon.

“I encourage all the spokespersons and commentators to wait patiently on the Chairman of the Elections Commission, who when she is ready will make a declaration and I have said before, I will abide by that declaration”, President Granger said.

Today marked four months since Guyanese went to the polls to elect a government and have been waiting on the final results of the elections.

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