Engagements with the public in Guyana found queries about the reason behind a recount. What is the rationale behind the recount? Would it change the numbers?
This missive is written before the start of the recount. Numbers may change slightly because of human errors, but seat calculation is hardly likely to change.
The 2020 election was different from that of last Monday’s. A recount was justifiable in 2020 in light of all the issues on the initial count and deliberate errors, etc. So the parties and GECOM agreed to a recount as allowed in law. On the current recount, even though the law allows for a recount of ballots, there should be sufficient justification or grounds and reasons for it. One can’t simply have a recount just because one wants to have it.
The 2025 electoral process was the most transparent in Guyana’s history. Voting was relatively ‘easy’, and there were hardly any major issues. I traveled around as an independent observer and reporter. Voting was slow; the steady flow of voting as in 2020 was absent. By mid-afternoon, polling stations were virtually empty. The low turnout was confirmed in the numbers of ballots cast.
There were no problems with closing of balloting and the count. Agents and observers were everywhere. Each party had its polling agent at the count after the close of ballot. The agent of each party witnessed the count. Each party also had counting agent. Each ballot was shown to the agent and announced as marked for the party. The total count at each polling booth was concluded in witness of all agents and observer. SOP was prepared and agreed upon by all the agents and GECOM staff. Each agent signed off on the count on the SOP. The only errors could have been human in entering the numbers on the SOP and the computer mechanics.
Each party has in possession all the SOPs for all ten regions. The parties know the numbers. They know from their calculation how many seats they won. Unless egregious errors were observed, the process of announcing the official results should not be delayed.
GECOM should be allowed to complete the process quickly and announce the final tabulation and allocation of seats. It is very clear that incumbent President Irfaan Ali has won re-election and the PPP has won a decisive victory. Shenanigans are delaying the inevitable.
Let the President be sworn in, appoint the cabinet, and the work of governance begin under the new term.
