Guyanese need to be mindful of who they listen to as they navigate in their effort to have fully credible and transparent elections. Many who speak in support of the PPP election fraud will not be coming from a genuine place.
Look at Ralph Gonsalves, for instance. He just declared that the only issue GECOM should consider is the ballot count. It should ignore the preponderance of evidence of electoral fraud. He is speaking like a misguided champion of democracy, or is he not? Is he actually speaking from a position of self interest.
Mr. Ralph Gonsalves has been credibly accused of rigging the last three elections in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It has been reported that, “In the Vincentian elections, successful electoral fraud has had the effect of a coup d’état or corruption of democracy. In SVG’s narrow elections, small amounts of fraud may be enough to change the result. But in the case of the Vincentian mainland, the fraud has been massive and, on many fronts, and with many methods. The revelation of this fraud has had a damaging effect, and so far, has gone unpunished; it has most certainly reduced Vincentian voters’ confidence in democracy.”
In response to allegations of fraud after the December 9, 2015 elections Mr. Gonsalves, like many are not saying in Guyana, stated it is impossible to rig elections in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. According to him, all sides have representative, and they witness the voting and the count. Hence, everything has to be above board. Does it sound familiar?
A few days ago, the Stabroek News, in an editorial note in its letter column, issued a warning to the likes of Mr. Gonsalves. They warned that if the evidence unearthed during the recount is used to determine the credibility of the elections in Guyana, then no election in the Caribbean will be credible. It was a shot across the bow by the PPP and Ralph Gonsalves was forced to respond. He has egg on his face.
Ralph Gonsalves and many in Guyana are saying the evidence of fraud should be used in an election petition. GECOM must make a declaration on the basis of the count only. Ralph Gonsalves is wrong, the PPP is wrong, and the Private Sector Commission is wrong. We need a petition when we just have allegations without evidence. When the court must order the opening of the boxes. However, in this case the boxes were already opened, and the fraud has been exposed.
Some may worry the bar for credible elections in the Caribbean may be raised if GECOM considers the evidence of fraud. This is not a bad thing. It will free the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines from Ralph Gonsalves corrupt elections.