United States begs for peace, calm and acceptance of results

Last Updated on Tuesday, 12 May 2015, 14:23 by GxMedia

As the Guyana Election Commission (GECOM) handles the final leg of the election process, the local United States Embassy has reiterated appeals for calm and peace. The election body is in the process of tallying votes casted a day ago in the country’s General and Regional Election and the Embassy has pleaded for political parties and their supporters to accept the results.

“As we all await the final announcement of results, the U.S. Embassy urges all Guyanese to remain patient and to avoid any actions that could provoke conflict or violence. It is our hope that political leaders on all sides will remain proactively engaged with their respective supporters in order to promote calm and reconciliation.”

The call for peace followed a night of unrest in Sophia where several vehicles and an animal pen were set a light after allegations had spread that there was a fake polling station at the home of an the activist for incumbent People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC).

GECOM is expected to begin announcing preliminary results at 11 AM Tuesday, even as the incumbent People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) and the coalition A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Tuesday morning remained optimistic about being victorious.

The Embassy noted that when the final tally is known, “we call on all political parties to accept the ultimate results, to encourage their supporters to do the same, and to resolve any outstanding disputes through the established judicial process.”

The foreign mission said that the Election Commission is now faced with the “equally complex task” of tallying the vote and this process is certain to take some time. They are confident however that the process will be done accurately and in accordance with Guyanese law.

The U.S. Embassy congratulated also, the Guyanese people on the democratic process observed during the polls. They said it was heartening to witness the enthusiasm with which Guyanese voters participated in the electoral process.

“The Guyana Elections Commission has once again done a credible job in ensuring that this critical Election Day phase of the process was free and fair. It dealt effectively with the challenges posed by high voter turnout and community exuberance in a manner that has ensured the integrity of the vote.”

“We would like to congratulate Chairman Dr. Steve Surujbally, Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, and the Commissioners and staff of the Guyana Elections Commission for their successful organization of these polls.”

Authorities reported that voting was heavy at the 2,229 polling stations across the country.