Chairman of GECOM Dr Steve Surujbally this morning disclosed that apart from asking for recounts in three regions, the ruling PPP/C has now partially challenged results in all ten districts.
Speaking at a press conference at the commission’s command centre in Kingston, the chairman stated that notwithstanding the recount the commission could be ready to give the final results at six this evening. The winner will however not be declared until the recount is over.
He said that lawyers on all sides are now looking at how this process will be handled but in the meantime the commission is continuing the count.
He also announced that all statement of polls are now with the commission and “to a large degree by this evening” the commission can share results. The commission has gone through the statements with a fine teeth comb and is “satisfied with what we have.”
Prior to the press conference, he had told Stabroek News: “Yes they have…they have asked for recounts in Regions 2, 1 and 8”.
The Gecom Chairman stressed that he will continue his mandate as prescribed by the laws of the country and is calling on the nation to remain calm even as the process continues.
Stabroek News understands that in Region Two the PPP/C has asked for the recount of over 90 ballot boxes. Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) has been a traditional stronghold of the PPP/C but it appears that the opposition alliance APNU+AFC made significant inroads. Region Eight (Potaro/Siparuni) in 2011 saw APNU and the AFC combining on the regional council to win the chairmanship of the region. Region One (Barima/Waini) has in recent elections been won easily by the PPP/C.
