The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) party has made a request to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for a recount of the votes cast in the Mahdia district for the recently concluded Local Government Elections (LGE). According to the opposition party, it only lost by three votes to the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).
According to data on GECOM’s website, for Mahdia municipality the opposition got 327 votes while the People’s Progressive Party won with 330 votes. In that area, 11 ballot papers were rejected.
During a press conference on Thursday morning, the Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton was questioned about his party’s interest in a recount. Norton responded, “Yes, I know they have asked for a recount in Mahdia, but the truth of the matter is that we were prepared to leave it as is but in every area they (the PPP) lost by four or five votes they asked for a recount…so why shouldn’t we ask for a recount?”
The Opposition Leader disclosed that his party had attempted to get a recount for one of the constituencies in Georgetown, claiming that the numbers in that area were “very, very inflated.”
According to Norton, “The constituency involves Lamaha Gardens, Bel Air, and Newtown. There are some miraculous numbers there but we know that GECOM was fighting not to give us a recount there. I know for sure in those two areas.”
The Opposition Leader added that in most area, it was the PPP that requested to have votes recounted after it recognised that the APNU was able to increase its support in several areas. He disclosed for example that in one constituency, his party won by five votes and the PPP requested a recount. Norton noted however that the recount was done and confirmed that his party won by five votes.
