APNU abandons some recount stations; results unchanged after 266 boxes

Some 24 hours after the recount started for Subdistrict Four (East Coast Demerara) of District Four, agents for A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) have abandoned some of the recount stations at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) in Georgetown.

GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj posted on Facebook Friday morning, “Most stations have no APNU agents, and they requested this recount. How much more can they frustrate this nation?”

It was APNU, led by Aubrey Norton, that requested a recount of the subdistrict, which includes 391 boxes and a partial recount 77 boxes from District Five.

On Thursday, Gunraj expressed concern that APNU agents are not showing any “real” interest in the tedious recount process, giving credence to his earlier statements that it is delaying the inevitable re-election of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C).

“While there are (party) agents in there, you are seeing no real interest from their leaders, you are seeing no real interest from their senior members, senior candidates, nothing like that. And it therefore begs the question if this is indeed a delaying tactic to frustrate the electorate and to frustrate this nation as a whole.”

Meanwhile, Rosh Khan, an accredited local observer, echoed similar sentiments to Gunraj.

Khan posted on Facebook, “Many party agents from parties who requested the recount left GECOM last night without replacements in place. Although a sprinkle have returned this morning, the vast majority have not.”

Khan said there were fleeting but heated moments from some party agents directed to other party agents and/or GECOM staff, most of which stemmed from misunderstanding the rules and process.”

He noted that “It is clear that some parties were attempting to misinform and mislead members of the public. However, after a full day and night of observation, I can say that, again, the process of the recount has remained fair and transparent.”

APNU suffered a major blow in the September 1 General and Regional Elections, failing to secure any regional seats and losing its status as the country’s main Opposition party.

The governing People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) has won eight of the country’s 10 electoral districts – Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9.

The newcomer, We Invest in Nationhood (W.I.N.) party, led by billionaire Azruddin Mohamed, who is sanctioned by the United States for bribery and corruption, has won Districts 7 and 10.

The fortunes of W.I.N will put it as the main opposition party, dethroning the Aubrey Norton-led PNC.