GECOM Chair stopped back and forth and ordered recount

Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Justice (rtd) Claudette Singh put an end to a protracted debate over a national recount and ordered that it go ahead, Sase Gunraj, one of the GECOM Commissioners indicated.

Gunraj said that results of the recount would constitute the results of the elections to be declared by GECOM.

GECOM now has to work out the process for the recount, including how it will take place given the COVID-19 guidelines on social distancing. There are also questions about reengaging observers.

A decision also has to be made whether to reengage the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to supervise the recount.

Gunraj told reporters that while all the Commissioners seemed to be in favour of the recount, “we were moving one step forward,” and so the chairman made the decision to go ahead with the recount.

Gunraj said he would be advocating for the District Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo not to be involved in the process.

The recount will be done chronologically, starting with District 1. There are ten electoral districts.