The Carter Center and the Organization of American States (OAS) have indicated that they intend to be present as observers for the National Recount of votes cast on March 2. The European Union (EU) however might miss the event.
Soyia Ellison, Associate Director of Communications at the Carter Center told Stabroek News yesterday in an invited comment that the Centre “hopes to send a team to observe the recount and is currently looking for ways to safely get a team to Georgetown, given travel restrictions and health concerns.”
A source at the OAS has also indicated that they will be at the recount.
She explained that the organization is in contact with GECOM as it makes arrangements to facilitate its participation.
Meanwhile, according to a representative of the Delegation to the European Union in Guyana the observer mission from that multilateral grouping has not indicated an intention to return for the recount.
Stabroek New was unable to make contact with the Commonwealth Secretariat.
According to the Order governing the recount all Observer missions both local and international who were previously accredited for the March 2 General and Regional Elections are entitled to be present at the recount provided the number of persons present does not exceed 14 for eight of the workstations and 10 for the remaining two.
Last Friday the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) decided that the long-awaited recount will take approximately 25 days.
The number is however not “cast in stone” as the Commission has said it will review the timeline when necessary. The Commission also decided by majority vote that the start date will be settled by Chairperson (Ret’d) Justice Singh after she communicates with CARICOM as to the earliest date by which its high-level team of scrutineers can travel to this country.
That three-person team is due to arrive today.
