Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
OAS calls on Guyana President to hand over power to PPP/C
Guyana President David Granger
Front Page
June 16, 2020

OAS calls on Guyana President to hand over power to PPP/C

The Organization of American States (OAS) is calling on the head of Guyana’s elections commission to declare the country’s opposition the winner of the disputed March 2 regional and presidential vote, and for President David Granger to hand over power to allow “the legitimately elected government to take its place.”

Guyana Opposition leader, former President Bharrat Jagdeo

The OAS made the call yesterday while welcoming the findings of an observer team from the 15-member Caribbean Community, or CARICOM, and following the contention by the country’s chief elections officer that the elections should be thrown out due to irregularities.

In his report on the 33-day recount, submitted Saturday to the Guyana Elections Commission, Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield said the results do not meet the standard of fair and credible elections. He cited multiple allegations of irregularities.

The elections commission began meeting yesterday to consider his report as well as that of CARICOM, which issued a 152-page document on its findings and recommendations.

CARICOM’s three-member team, which scrutinized the process, said while there were “some defects” and “irregularities,” like missing elections documents, the recount of the ballots cast — which it argues was more of an audit — reflects the will of Guyanese voters.

“The actual count of the vote was indeed transparent,” CARICOM said in its report, which states the Guyana Elections Commission should declare the winner.

The OAS said Lowenfield’s contention that it cannot be ascertained, in each of the 10 electoral districts, that the results meet the criteria of free and fair elections, “is astonishing.”

“The report submitted by Lowenfield records multiple ‘allegations’ of irregularities by a contesting party in each District, which are then used as a basis for determining that the electoral process in each of the ten Districts was not credible,” the OAS said. “There is little evidence in the CEO’s report of efforts to investigate or otherwise address any of the alleged irregularities presented. His contention that the entire election be set aside on this basis alone is astonishing.”

The highly charged election pitted Granger’s governing A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) against the opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic.

Divided along racial and ethnic lines, the opposition is a mostly Indo-Guyanese coalition of opposition parties led by former President Bharrat Jagdeo. The PPP/C ruled Guyana for 23 years before losing to Granger and his mostly Afro-Guyanese coalition in the 2015 presidential vote.

While Granger has said he would accept the results of the recount, he has since raised questions about its credibility, leading some to believe he may try to stay and challenge the process in the courts.

One of South America’s poorest countries, Guyana is on the verge of becoming one of its wealthiest nations with the recent finding of oil reserves off its coasts. This has not only raised the political stakes in this year’s race, but also raised concerns given the country’s geographic location.

The OAS on Monday called for the will of the people in Guyana to be respected.

“Elections are held to determine the will of the people and once the people’s wishes are clearly stated they must be upheld — not only in instances where they favour the incumbent,” the OAS said Monday in a statement. “In this case, the results published in the report of the Chief Elections Officer himself make it clear that the opposition PPP/C has won the favor of the majority of Guyana’s eligible voters. Their will must be respected.” (Miami Herald)

  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    Domestic worker killed at Long Wall
    Front Page
    Domestic worker killed at Long Wall
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    FAMILY MEMBERS of a woman who was killed at Long Wall say they suspect their relative was hacked by a person they all know very well. On Tuesday, Sept...
    NDP never built a single house in SVG – Finance Minister
    Front Page
    NDP never built a single house in SVG – Finance Minister
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE IDEA THAT HOUSING is a right, that every Vincentian has a right to safe and secure housing, and that the government has a role to play in ensuring...
    No bail for Police officer charged with attempted murder
    Front Page
    No bail for Police officer charged with attempted murder
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A POLICE OFFICER, who allegedly stabbed his ex-girlfriend 26 times about her body was remanded even as his lawyer argued that the Royal St Vincent and...
    New ULP Administration will roll out AI policy
    Front Page
    New ULP Administration will roll out AI policy
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A NEW UNITY LABOUR PARTY ADMINISTRATION will be rolling out an Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy to embrace its positives and guard against the nega...
    Sandy Bay Secondary School marks 20th Anniversary
    Front Page
    Sandy Bay Secondary School marks 20th Anniversary
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER, 9,2025 was a memorable day for the staff and students of the Sandy Bay Secondary School, which was marking its 20th anniversary wi...
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE ASHLEY LASHLEY Foundation, with support from the United States Government, is implementing a local-level project entitled “Community-Driven Strate...
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE ASHLEY LASHLEY Foundation, with support from the United States Government, is implementing a local-level project entitled “Community-Driven Strate...
    Skills not available locally, non-nationals have to be hired says Finance Minister
    News
    Skills not available locally, non-nationals have to be hired says Finance Minister
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    NON- NATIONALS ARE being hired to fill several jobs in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) simply because locals did not have the required skill sets....
    Montgomery Daniel squashes rumours that he’s sick
    News
    Montgomery Daniel squashes rumours that he’s sick
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER Montgomery Daniel has sought to clear around rumours that have been circulating relating to his health. Speaking on NBC radio on...
    $1.3 billion in Tourism investment to yield 2,000 jobs – Camillo
    News
    $1.3 billion in Tourism investment to yield 2,000 jobs – Camillo
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    The GOVERNMENT of St Vincent and the Grenadines is set to sign agreements for tourism investment of $1.3 billion on mainland St.Vincent. On Monday, Se...
    Bagga’ man pleads guilty to illegal gun, ammo possession
    From the Courts, News
    Bagga’ man pleads guilty to illegal gun, ammo possession
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A BARROUALLIE MAN will be sentenced next week after pleading guilty to being in illegal possession of a firearm and eight rounds of ammunition. Demron...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok