Christopher “Kit” Nascimento, an observer attached to the local Private Sector Commission (PSC) said that the figures that were being announced by the District Four Returning Officer (RO) Clairmont Mingo’s appointee were not corresponding to those on the Statements of Poll (SOPs) in the possession of the party agents and observers.
“It became absolutely apparent, that the figures she was reading out, did not match any of the Statements of Poll in the possession of the party representatives or, indeed, the observers who had them…There were massive variations,” the former Information Minister told the media today.
He went on to state that on each SOP that the observers compared, it showed that votes assigned to A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) ranged from 70 to 100 more. Meanwhile, votes for the People’s Progressive Party (PPP/C) were reduced by 30 to 70.
“This was becoming an absolute farce,” the observer said.
The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has now taken a decision to recommence the tabulation at its Headquarters on High and Cowan Streets, Kingston, where the remaining SOPs that are left to be verified, will be scanned and projected on screen in the interest of transparency.
“This move is necessary since the required scanner is readily available at the Commission’s headquarters and would contribute significantly in ensuring the process is done smoothly,” the Secretariat said. The process will recommence at 16:00hrs.
