Guyana Chronicle E-paper 6-24-2020

WEDNESDAY 24thJune, 2020

’ No. 106040

CEO submits report on valid votes

... shows coalition gaining highest number of valid votes

... APNU+AFC gets 33 seats, PPP/C 31, joinder party 1 02 PAGE

Results of Election 2020

CCJ issues order blocking declaration Threats of sanctions ‘loose talk’ … as PPP/C files motion challenging decision of Court of Appeal

… AG says case stands no chance of succeeding

PAGES

03,11&13

–– U.S. Attorney Dr. Bart Fisher slams U.S. officials for interference in Guyana’s elections

PAGE

13

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 24, 2020

CEO REPORT ON VALID VOTES SUBMITTED ... shows coalition gaining highest number of valid votes

... APNU+AFC gets 33 seats, PPP/C 31, joinder party 1 UTILISING valid votes, as ordered by the Court of Appeal, the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, on Tuesday, submitted his Election Report, which shows that the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) won the 2020 General and Regional Elections by more than 5,000 votes.

“I have taken note of the guidance of the Court of Appeal in Eslyn David v Chief Elections Officer et al in the preparation of my Report under Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act and providing advice as required by Article 177 (2) (b) of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana,” Lowenfield said in his Report to the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh.

According to the CEO’s Report, the APNU+AFC secured 171,825 valid votes while the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) raked in 166, 343 valid votes, followed by A New and United Guyana (ANUG) with 1,776 votes, Change

Guyana with 1,517 votes, and Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) with 1,517 votes. The People’s Republican Party (PRP), The Citizenship Initiative (TCI), The New Movement (TNM) and the United Republic Party (UPR) got less than 700 votes each.

Together, the Joined Lists comprising ANUG, LJP and TNM, secured a total of 3,348 votes.

The Chief Elections Officer, in his Report, noted that there were only 344,508 valid votes cast at the March 2 General and Regional Elections. Some 3,001 votes were rejected, and when taken together with the valid votes cast, Lowenfield records show a total of 347,509 votes.

In his tabulation, the Chief Elections Officer allocated 33 seats in the National Assembly to APNU+AFC, 31 to the PPP/C and one seat to the Joinder Lists comprising A New and United Guyana (ANUG), Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) and The New Movement (TNM).

According to the CEO’s Report, when the votes were divided the APNU secured 32 seats, PPP/C 31– a total

of 63 seats. However, when the largest remainders were taken into consideration, the Joined Lists – ANUG, LJP and TNM – secured one seat with its 3,348 votes and the APNU+AFC an extra seat for the 2,221 votes it had remaining. PPP/C had 2,039 votes remaining but not enough to secure another seat. Lowenfield’s elections report is in stark contrast with the National Recount Report he had submitted to the Elections Commission on June 13, 2020. In that report, the CEO had informed the Elections Commission that based on the Statements of Recount (SORs), which were generated and tabulated at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), PPP/C secured 233,336 votes, while APNU+AFC raked in 217,920 votes. But while the recount showed that the PPP/C was in

the lead by 15,416 votes, the CEO was keen on pointing out to the Elections Commission that thousands of votes were compromised as a result of widespread irregularities, and alleged cases of electoral fraud.

Though GECOM, under Order No. 60 and its addendum, is legally bound to determine “a final credible count,” the Elections Commission, on June 16, 2020, said it had no jurisdiction to determine the credibility and validity of the votes and as such, instructed to the CEO to compile and submit an Elections Report by June 18, so as to pave way for the declaration of the Elections Result and ultimately the swearing in of the President.

However, moments before the CEO handed in his report, a North Sophia voter, Eslyn David, challenged GECOM’s

decision in the Court of Appeal. Among the orders sought was an interpretation of the words “more votes are cast” in Article 177 (2) (b) of the Constitution.

The Court of Appeal, in establishing jurisdiction to adjudicate solely on the interpretation of the Constitution, ordered that the words “more votes are cast” be interpreted to mean “more valid votes are cast” in relation to the General and Regional Elections.

The court had taken into consideration Order No. 60, which was used by GECOM to facilitate a national recount in its quest to determine “a final credible count.”

It was on that basis that Lowenfield submitted his elections report to the Elections Commission using only valid votes cast.

Elections Commissioner, Vincent Alexander, in

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, said that Lowenfield had no other choice but to adhere to the ruling of the Court in submitting his report under Article 177 (2) (b) and Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act.

Results of Election 2020

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Elections case cannot be appealed

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– AG’s Chambers point to Constitution, CCJ Act

By Lisa Hamilton PEOPLE’S Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Executive, Anil Nandlall stated, on Tuesday, that his party has filed and served an appeal to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in relation to the ruling on Guyana’s elections case, but the Attorney General’s Chambers has reminded the party and the public that no appeal can be made to the matter.

In a release on Tuesday, the Attorney General’s Chambers stated that the CCJ, while accepting its position as a superior court of record, has continuously recognised that it only possesses such jurisdiction and powers which are conferred on it by the Agreement establishing the CCJ or by the Constitution or any other law of the contracting party.

Though the CCJ is Guyana’s apex court, the Caribbean Court of Justice Act, Chapter 3:07 limits the appellate jurisdiction of the Court in Section 4 (3) which states: “Nothing in this Act shall confer jurisdiction on the Court to hear matters in relation to any decision of the Court of Appeal which at the time of entry into force of this Act was declared to be final by any law.”

In the elections case brought by Eslyn David, the Court of Appeal ruled that it had jurisdiction to hear the matter based on Article 177 (4) of the Constitution which also declares that any decision made by the said Court on such matters is final. Article 177

(4) states: “The Court of Appeal shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine any question as to the validity of an election of a President in so far as the question depends upon the qualification of any person for election or the interpretation of this Constitution; and any decision of that Court under this paragraph shall be final.”

The Caribbean Court of Justice Act took effect in 2004 at which time Article 177 (4) of the Constitution was already a part of the laws of Guyana. “It made the decisions of the Court of Appeal final in respect of matters determined thereunder and expressly ousted the jurisdiction of any higher appellate Court,” the AG’s Chambers noted.

PPP executive, Anil Nandlall

Attorney General, Basil Williams Even so, Nandlall, who is also the country’s former Attorney General, took to his Facebook page on Tuesday morning to inform his supporters that: “appeal to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) filed and served.”

At its ruling on Monday, the Court of Appeal had granted the request of a three-day stay of its judgement but Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams told the newspaper later that day that he is unsure why such was granted when the Court’s decision, according to law, is final.

“The election of the President which is reflected in an instrument under the hand of the Chairman of the Elections Commission is

final and conclusive and cannot be inquired into in another Court,” he stated.

“I don’t know why they asked for a stay because Article 177 (4) says quite clearly that any decision made there under was final so that they can’t appeal it and, equally under our Caribbean Court of Justice Act, Chapter 3:07, there’s a provision also which states that the Caribbean Court would not exercise jurisdiction or hear any matter coming from our Court of Appeal which is stated to be final.”

In the release from the Attorney General’s Chambers which provided greater clarity, the public’s attention was also pointed to Article 177 (4) of the Constitution; Section 4 of the CCJ Act Cap 3:07 and the Agreement establishing the Caribbean Court of Justice, which speak to jurisdiction of the CCJ as being derived from three sources: the Agreement, the Constitution and the law of a contracting party.

The Attorney General’s Chambers stated: “Therefore, where the effect of the provisions of the Constitution or the local law is to oust the jurisdiction of the Court, even where there is conflict with the Agreement, regard must be given to such local law.

The Constitution is, after all, the supreme law of the land (Article 8 of the Constitution of Guyana) and nowhere in the Constitution exists a provision that mandates that the CCJ is to exercise appellate jurisdiction in respect of all matters determined by the Court of Appeal.”

Attorney General Chambers’ position on appeal to CCJ … There is NO appeal in respect of matters determined under article 177(4) of the Constitution … Whether an appeal can lie to the Caribbean Court of Justice in respect of matters determined under article 177(4) of the Constitution PURSUANT to Article 177 (4) of the Constitution, this question is to be answered in the negative. Article 177 (4) provides: (4) The Court of Appeal shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine any question as to the validity of an election of a President in so far as that question depends upon the qualification of any person for election or the interpretation of this Constitution; and any decision of that Court under this paragraph shall be final.

While the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) is Guyana’s apex Court, the Caribbean Court of Justice Act Cap 3:07 limits the appellate jurisdiction of the Court.

Section 4 states: 4. (1) The Court shall have –

(a) original jurisdiction… (b) appellate jurisdiction provided for in this Act as is conferred on it in accordance with the provisions of Part III of the Agreement….

(3) Nothing in this Act shall confer jurisdiction on the Court to hear matters in relation to any decision of the Court of Appeal which at the time of entry into force of this Act was declared to be final by any law.

The Caribbean Court of Justice Act came into force in 2004. At this time article 177 (4) of the Constitution was already part of the laws of Guyana. It made the decisions of the Court of Appeal final in respect of matters determined thereunder and expressly ousted the jurisdiction of any higher appellate Court. On a plain reading of article 177 (4) of the Consti-

tution and section 4 of the Caribbean Court of Justice Act no appeal shall lie to the Caribbean Court of Justice in respect of matters determined by the Court of Appeal under article 177(4). This conclusion in no way conflicts with the powers conferred upon the CCJ under the Agreement establishing the Caribbean Court of Justice.

Part III of the Agreement establishing the Caribbean Court of Justice recognizes that the CCJ has such jurisdiction and powers as are conferred on it by this Agreement or by the Constitution or any other law of a Contracting Party. ARTICLE XXV (1) states: ARTICLE XXV APPELLATE JURISDICTION OF THE COURT

1. In the exercise of its appellate jurisdiction, the Court is a superior Court of record with such jurisdiction and powers as are conferred on it by this Agreement or by the Constitution or any other law of a Contracting Party.

This Article recognizes the jurisdiction of the CCJ as being derived from three sources-the Agreement, the Constitution or any other law of a Contracting Party. The issue of priority therefore arises where the jurisdiction and powers conferred under the Agreement conflict with that which is conferred by the Constitution or any other law of a Contracting Party.

This issue is quickly resolved in ARTICLE XXV (5) itself which gives precedence to the local law. It states: Nothing in this Article

shall apply to matters in relation to which the decision of the Court of Appeal of a Contracting Party is, at the time of the entry into force of the Agreement pursuant to the Constitution or any other law of that Party, declared to be final.

Therefore where the effect of the provisions of the Constitution or the local law is to oust the jurisdiction of the Court, even where there is conflict with the Agreement, regard must be given to such local law. The Constitution is, after all, the supreme law of the land (article 8 of the Constitution of Guyana) and nowhere in the Constitution exists a provision that mandates that the CCJ is to exercise appellate jurisdiction in respect of all matters determined by the Court of Appeal.

The Caribbean Court of Justice, while accepting its position as a superior court of record, has continuously recognised that it only possesses such jurisdiction and powers as are conferred on it by the Agreement or by this Constitution or any other law of the Contracting Party. In this regard, it does not usurp the jurisdiction reserved, by the laws of that Contracting Party, for the Court of Appeal of the Contracting party - see the case of International Environments Ltd v AG et al [2019] CCJ 18 (AJ) In light of the foregoing it is respectfully submitted that an Appeal cannot lie to the Caribbean Court of Justice in respect of matters determined under article 177(4) of the Constitution.

All for your information and guidance.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Top US health officials warn of ‘disturbing surge’ in new coronavirus cases (BBC) America’s top infectious disease expert has told lawmakers that the nation is seeing a “disturbing surge” in coronavirus infections in some states.

A panel of health officials, including Dr Anthony Fauci, said the next few days will be crucial to stem the new outbreaks.

Cases are climbing rapidly across a number of US states.

Four top experts also testified they were never told by President Donald Trump to “slow down” testing.

Their comments come after Mr Trump told a weekend rally in Oklahoma that he had asked his team to do less testing to help keep official

case counts down.

The White House has said his comment was “in jest”.

“To my knowledge, none of us have ever been told to slow down on testing,” Dr Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, testified to a congressional committee investigating the US response to the pandemic.

“In fact, we will be doing more testing,” he added.

The other three officials - representing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Health and Human Service - also disputing Mr Trump’s comment, saying they had never been

directed to slow testing.

More than 120,000 Americans have died from the coronavirus - more than any other nation.

What else did experts say?

Dr Fauci warned of “a disturbing surge of infection” and “increased community spread” in many southern and western states.

“A couple of days ago there were 30,000 new infections”, in a single day, he said. “That’s very troubling to me.”

“The next couple of weeks are going to be critical to address those surges that were seeing Texas, FloridaCDC Director Dr Robert Redfield called testing “a crit-

Dr Fauci testified to the congressional committee in person on Tuesday ical underpinning of our reDr Redfield also called on end of 2020. sponse” but said social disall Americans to get a flu jab He said it is a matter of tancing measures are more important ways to keep the this year, saying the public “when and not if” the vaccine must “embrace flu vaccina- is ready, but added that it virus from spreading. tions with confidence”. “might take some time”.

“This single act will save Drug company Moderna lives,” he added., Arizona, and has plans “to launch a Phase other states.”

3 clinical trial as early as Dr Fauci added that he July 2020, pending positive is “cautiously optimistic” a results from this Phase 2 vaccine may be ready by the trial,” he said.

Coronavirus: German outbreak sparks fresh local lockdowns (BBC) German authorities in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia have reimposed lockdown restrictions in two districts after a spike in cases, with more than half a million people affected.

One area is home to a meatpacking plant where more than 1,500 workers have tested positive.

State premier Armin Laschet said the “preventative measures” in Gütersloh district would last until 30 June.

Neighbouring Warendorf district has also seen restrictions return.

The state’s health minister, Karl-Josef Laumann, announced the second lockdown just hours after the first, saying further measures were needed “in order to protect the population”.

It is the first time lockdowns have been reintroduced

in Germany since the country began lifting nationwide restrictions in May. Germany has been praised for its overall response to the pandemic, but there are fears infections are rising again.

Authorities in North Rhine-Westphalia had been among those strongly pushing Chancellor Angela Merkel to ease national restrictions in recent months.

What’s happening in North Rhine-Westphalia?

On Tuesday morning, Mr Laschet described the outbreak linked to the Tönnies meatpacking plant, south-west of the city of Gütersloh, as the “biggest infection incident” in the country. Just hours later, health minister Laumann announced that Warendorf would also reimpose restrictions.

Wednesday, June 24, 05:00hrs - 06:30hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro ordered to wear mask in public

(BBC) A judge in Brazil has ordered President Jair Bolsonaro to wear a protective mask when he is in public spaces in the capital, Brasilia, and the surrounding federal district.

The far-right president has been criticised for belittling the risk posed by coronavirus.

He dismissed it as “a little cold” at the start of the pandemic.

Brazil has the second-highest number of coronavirus cases and Covid-related fatalities in the world after the US. There are more than 1.1m confirmed cases of coronavirus in Brazil and more than 51,000 coronavirus-related deaths have been recorded, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.

Despite these high fig-

ures, President Bolsonaro has repeatedly appeared in public without a mask while greeting his supporters.

At one rally, he was filmed coughing without covering his mouth and on another occasion he was seen sneezing into his hand and shaking the hand of an elderly woman immediately afterwards.

The requirement to wear masks in the federal district came into force on 30 April.

The rule was brought in by the governor of the federal district, Ibaneis Rocha, and requires people to cover their nose and mouth in all public spaces, including public transport, shops and commercial and industrial premises.

On 11 May, the rule was further tightened with those flaunting it facing fines of 2,000 reais ($387; £310) per

day.

Federal Judge Renato Borelli’s ruling means Mr Bolsonaro is not exempt and that the president and any other public officials who do not comply with the requirement will also incur the 2,000-reais fine.

President Bolsonaro has argued from the start of the pandemic that measures taken to curb the spread of the virus could be more damaging than the pandemic itself.

On Monday, he renewed his call for the easing of lockdown measures and the reopening of shops and businesses.

He said that the way the pandemic had been handled had “maybe been a bit over the top”.

The president’s insistence that the economy should be prioritised has

CAL loses $96.1m in 6 weeks (TRINIDAD GUARDIAN) Caribbean Airline’s estimated losses from March 23 to April 30 due to the COVID-19 pandemic was US14.2 million or TT$96.1 million, according to Minister in the Ministry of Finance Allyson West.

She gave the information in the Senate yesterday in response to United National Congress senator Wade Mark’s query.

West said the impact took effect from the start of March due to a drop in demand for air travel and was exacerbated by the closure of Trinidad and Tobago’s borders in March also because operating had become too risky.

Despite air travel being restricted, she said CAL has still been required to maintain all its operating systems.

“Notwithstanding the fact that air travel is severely restricted at present, the airline is also being required to keep it airline leases up to date and ensure that its aircraft are airworthy and all of its systems are functioning in readiness for the resumption of flights,” West said.

During his contribution at the COVID-19 update over the weekend, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley also noted that it was very costly to keep the airline going even while the fleet was grounded.

“Caribbean Airlines, looking at the outside world, would be operational at the first opportunity it gets because it’s costing us money now to keep Caribbean Airlines where it is, maintained and not working. The reason why it’s not going outside is because of the level of risk involved,” the PM said.

Rowley said one of the first actions to cushion the continuing losses may be chartered services to get people to destinations or back home.

Also in the Senate, Energy Minister Franklin Khan said it was very lucky that the recent sabotage and cutting of pipelines at Heritage Petroleum Company Ltd hadn’t occurred with a gas line. He was replying to an Opposition query on the June 19 report of sabotage and theft.

Khan said the situation involved more than sabotage since people were cutting

three-inch pipes with a welding torch to steal “fence posts.”

“I wouldn’t say it was a common practice but in the south-west peninsula where there’s been hundreds of miles of pipeline, it has been a perennial problem over the years,” Khan added.

“But what happened with the sabotage/ theft was a dangerous exercise—while it was lucky it was a dormant line which was cut into and it had no fuel, oil or gas passing through, what would have happened if it was a gas line —it would have been a major disaster… for two fence posts, it isn’t worth the risk.”

He said after the incident occurred, Heritage immediately reported it to Barrackpore police and will also increase mobile patrols with police assistance.

Khan added that the company is also seeking community help to monitor Heritage assets and is implementing CCTV systems with a hotline for such incidents to be reported.

“So hopefully, this will alleviate and bring such incidents in future to a zero position,” he said.

Khan said the community had over decades been the “watchman” of Petrotrin before.

On another Opposition question, Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi said for the first time there’s been redefined funding for the Director of Public Prosecutions’ division and among innovations, the new Port-of-Spain office for the DPP – on Park Street – will be open in weeks.

Al-Rawi and UNC’s Wade Mark traded veiled barbs, congratulating each other respectively for “new-found interest” in the DPP’s office and for “new-found interest” in accommodation.

West’s replies on the banking institutions with which Government has debt obligations also prompted Mark to try to get her to say if NCB Global Finance was among these.

But while she cited FCB, Republic, Scotiabank ANSA Merchant Bank and other institutions, West told Mark, “Sorry to disappoint you, Senator Mark, NCB Global is not what I said.”

Last week, Jair Bolsonaro was seen leaving the presidential palace without a mask been deeply divisive and governors who have intro- ment and requirements to he has clashed with state duced restrictions of move- wear masks in public.

Mass Grave Found In Spanish Town (JAMAICA GLEANER) A mass grave with human remains has been found in bushes in Rivoli in Spanish Town, St Catherine.

Members of the security forces are at the scene.

It is believed that the site is used by a gang to bury bodies. The discovered remains were found wrapped in clothing. The police say that forensic analysis is to be conducted.

More information to come.

Investigators at the site of a mass grave in a section of Spanish Town, St Catherine on June 23, 2020 Kenyon Hemans photo

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 24, 2020

PPP/C’s appeal of the court’s landmark ruling

AS expected, the morning after the landmark ruling by the Guyana Court of Appeal, the PPP has moved to the CCJ to challenge that ruling.

The opposition party is challenging the ruling that it had jurisdiction to hear the case brought by Eslyn David, and by extension that the votes to determine the election of the president must be “valid votes”. There is legal view that the CCJ does not have jurisdiction to hear such an appeal, as the Guyana Constitution is clear that the ruling by the Court of Appeal is final. AttorneyGeneral Basil Williams shares this view.

According to him, “The election of the President, which is reflected in an instrument under the hand of the Chairman of the Elections Commission, is final and conclusive, and cannot be inquired into in another Court…I don’t know why they asked for a stay, because Article 177 (4) says quite clearly that any decision made thereunder

was final, so that they can’t appeal it, and, equally, under our Caribbean Court of Justice Act, Chapter 3:07, there’s a provision also which states that the Caribbean Court would not exercise jurisdiction, or hear any matter coming from our Court of Appeal which is stated to be final.”

This publication leans in that direction.

It seems to us that the Constitution is unambiguous as it relates to this matter. Article 177 (4) states: “The Court of Appeal shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine any question as to the validity of an election of a President in so far as the question depends upon the qualification of any person for election, or the interpretation of this Constitution; and any decision of that Court under this paragraph shall be final.”

One must ask the obvious question: Why is the PPP moving to the CCJ, in the face of what is an explicit statement in the Constitution? It must also be noted that that

party has bypassed the customary stage of seeking leave from the Court of Appeal.

The only explanation can be that the PPP is seeking to deliberately slow down the process of concluding the election. The CCJ would have to first rule on whether it has jurisdiction to hear the case, and then deal with the substantive matter before it.

This can take as long as three to four weeks.

Of course, the PPP’s move to the CCJ does not prevent GECOM from pressing ahead with its work. Even the PPP has admitted that GECOM could press forward in making a declaration. But the agency has shown a reluctance to adapt such a course of action in the past. That means that Guyanese must wait much longer for the resolution of the election.

As was expected, the PPP and its allies are contending that the ruling by the Court of Appeal changes nothing. This is a bizarre conclusion, given the fact that that

party spent a lot of resources challenging the application by Ms. David. Further, it is now moving to the CCJ to seek to strike down the ruling. Clearly, the PPP is playing politics.

In the final analysis, we feel the CCJ would correctly interpret the letter and spirt of the Constitution for what they are. No amount of denial by the PPP can dilute or erase the fact that the ruling by the court has brought us closer to resolution, and that it is grounded in sound reading of the Constitution. What has changed is that the ruling has clarified for GECOM what a valid vote, in these circumstances, is. Whereas the PPP had contended that a valid vote should not be determined by the credibility of the process, the court has ruled that validity must arise from both the quantitative and qualitative assessment of the process.

That much is clear from the court’s ruling.

Neither the Chair, nor GECOM can direct the CEO

Dear Editor,

IT was an impeccable exhibition of judicial erudition.

Justice Brassington Reynolds in his interpretation of article 177 (2) (b) ruled that the framers of the Constitution meant, and intended to mean by the word “votes” means valid votes.

That learned Judge made it clear that votes carries in its conception, both a quantitative and qualitative understanding. But quality, is a determinant of quantity.

And as I will, convincingly, argue below, the qualitative attribute has a deep, enduring, transcendental meaning and significance in our electoral constitutional jurisprudence. The majority by their two-one ruling has enriched our, perhaps Caribbean, jurisprudence.

Editor, it is this deep, enduring, transcendental qualitative attribute about the people’s vote, that the opposition would by their pious, specious argumentation placing emphasis on quantity only, make a mockery of. What heresy. What great nonsense.

So, I must, per force, explain this deep, enduring, transcendental stuff. It involves some degree of legalistic complexity; but that is unavoidable; bear with me, as this is a matter of profound constitutional ramifications, and, perhaps, unprecedented public concern and unease.

My explanation starts, of course, with article one of our Constitution. Relevantly it reads “Guyana is an …… DEMOCRATIC

sovereign State…..”. For an understanding of democratic, I like the way it was articulated

by Lord Rodger of Earlsferry in the Privy Council constitutional case of State of Mauritus v. Khoyratty (2007) 1 AC at pages 90,91 thus: “The structure of the Constitution of Mauritus is important. Chapter One provides that Mauritius shall be a sovereign, democratic state: section 1. Mauritus is a parliamentary democracy on the Westminister model…….

The idea of a democracy involves a number of different concepts. The first is that the people must decide who should govern them….”

Lord Rodger would shudder to think that as with some pretenders of democracy, it involves the concept of the dead being involved in the decision of who should govern! Or fraudsters, by fraudulent contrivances, should make the decision as to who should govern.

And here is my explanation as to democratic deep, enduring, transcendental nature.

The supreme law of this land has attached so much value to that concept that not even Parliament by itself (even if all 65 members of the National Assembly unanimously passes a Bill and the President assents to it) could effect any changes to article one of our Constitution, and the concept of “democratic” without the peoples approval in a referendum.

(This is what is meant by the legalistic phrase – deepest entrenchment). Naturally, provisions/concepts entrenched by referendum requirement are considered by the framers to be of the highest value, hence their entrenchment by referendum, inter alia. Concepts so

valuable, are not to be subverted, impaired, diluted or watered down by fraudulent contrivances, by political neophytes.

Viewed this way, I would submit, that it is axiomatic, and inexorable, that votes which is the linchpin of any democratic electoral process, must mean, must have been intended to mean, and must be understood to mean, valid votes only. And so, if they were minded to be disassociated from unearthed fraudulent contrivances, one would have thought that the opposition, having lost, might have been interested in seeking some clarification from the COA as to the electoral modalities of determining valid votes. But upon deeper analysis and reflection there is a reason for their reluctance, to venture into the sphere of clarification, inspite their propaganda that the PPP/C have won the GREs 2020. The reason is this: votes infected or tainted by their fraudulent contrivances might, conceivably, be unascertainable, positivity, as valid votes.

And my understanding of the CoAs ruling is that votes not ascertainable as valid cannot be counted by the CEO. Those would not be valid votes within article 177 (2) (b).

After all, validity is not determinable by some mathematical formula; or by some technology device such as a fuel gauge that tells you when your gas tank is empty, or full (as the case may be). And so in this endeavor, we have resorted to the reliable goal posts of transparency, accountability, verifiability, accuracy, credibility and efficiency (TAVACE) (even at the unavoidable risk of the disenfran-

chisement of a few) to determine what votes are valid. It seems obvious that it is far better that a few be unwittingly disenfranchised, than that the choice of the majority as to who is the President be defeated and thwarted, by fraudulent contrivances.

And perhaps this fear of valid votes explains why the opposition seek to appeal an UNAPPEALABLE decision of the CoA. What a comedy of error. I offer, pro bono, this advice to Jagdeo - my beleaguered learned friend, Anil Nandlall, is misleading, misguiding and deceiving you. The CCJ has no appellate jurisdiction in this matter. Appellate jurisdiction, where it exists, is wholly a creature of statue. All lawyers know this. It is trite. The statute in this case is the Caribbean Court of Justice Act, 2004 (no 16/2004). So, does it create any jurisdiction in the CCJ in this matter? No. In the plainest, unambiguous words usable, the Act says this under the poignant subtitle “Jurisdiction of the Court” viz “NOTHING IN THIS ACT SHALL confer jurisdiction on the Court to hear matters in relation to ANY DECISION OF THE COURT OF APPEAL which at the time of the entry into force of this Act was declared to be FINAL by ANY LAW” (see section 4 (3)].

Not only is article 177 (4) under which the CoA gave its decision “law”, it is a fortiori, a provision in the supreme law that was in existence ab initio since October 6, See page 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 24, 2020

GECOM should review the EOJ report on Guyana’s 2006 elections

Dear Editor,

THE findings of the fingerprinting and cross matching scanning exercise that was conducted by the Electoral Office of Jamaica in 2006 found duplicate registration for 5374 entries on the Preliminary Voters List.

After conducting a finger-printing cross- matching exercise, the Electoral Office of Jamaica said that 1858 duplicate fingerprints were found for 947 records, and 4515 duplicate fingerprints for 4427 registration records, with the former considered absolute duplicates and the latter absolute duplicates.

The absolute duplicates were determined from 25 per cent, or 181,030, of the prints that were of good quality, and the remaining 48 per cent of the prints were of poor quality.

However, only 423 were unusable.

Dr. Surujbally said that based on the findings, only 00.01 per cent of the scanned registration cards were found to be duplicates, and of these, the EOJ was absolutely certain of only 947, or 00.02 per cent. However, the multiple

registrations detected on the list have elicited concerns among parties. The Electoral Office of Jamaica report also noted that there were 26,239 names in the GECOM Database, for which there were no corresponding registration cards. The Electoral Office of Jamaica report warned that this could potentially result in persons being left off the voters list.

Findings revealed that 6,374 duplicates which were not investigated, which the Electoral Office of Jamaica said was needed to be investigated, 23,000 mismatches and thousands of dislocated eligible voters. These varying discrepancies led to the resignation of the late commissioner Haslyn Parris, citing his inability to overlook the above-mentioned atrocities in the electoral process. Commissioner Parris on July 20, 2006, told media operatives that he had chosen to formally disassociate himself from the Guyana Elections Commission. Parris said that his resignation had become imperative, since he was incapable of accepting a decision made purportedly by the commission to an-

nounce to President Jagdeo that the revised electoral list was ready for printing and publishing.

It is expected, after such actions are taken, that an election date would be set.

With adequate technical application of the Electoral Office of Jamaica report to the revised list of electors during the claims and objections period, Parris explained that each individual Commissioner is required by law to sign in agreement what the Chairman approves if Dr. Surujbally thinks that he is ready to print and publish the list. I wish him to understand that is not a view I concur, Parris noted. Parris said that it was the view that the commission would be misinforming and misleading the President,

all other stakeholders, and all signatories to the Memorandum of Understanding that the Official List of Electors comprises an adequately checked, tested and confirmed list of persons eligible to vote in the 2006 Regional and General Elections. He noted that such act of misrepresentation and apparent underhandedness would exceed the level previously achieved when inordinately delayed efforts were made to advise the President of GECOM’s inability to meet the constitutional deadline of August 04, 2006 compounded with misleading information that August 31, 2006 is the date by which free and fair elections could be delivered by GECOM. In concluding, Com-

missioner Parris said that his attempts to function as a commissioner have, for some time now, been conflicting with his preference for professionalism, technical correctness, intellectual honesty, straightforwardness observance of the intention of the law and avoidance of misinforming and misleading officials and the general public on matters related to the electoral process. “Despite my best efforts, I have been unable to effect corrective action on all these dimensions of my concerns. My continued association, particularly with recent decisions, would conflict with all these preferences [and I] cannot in good conscience continue.”

Parris said that it was only

around Wednesday evening at around 19:00 hours that he was informed of the intent of the then Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally, through an internal memorandum which required his response by 16:00 hours the following day. With what transpired at the commission in 2006, the government-appointed commissioners must investigate all transaction with this present voters list. The million-dollar question which is being asked by the electorate is whether the PPP/C did win a majority in 2006.

The PNC, in 2006, failed to demand house-to-house verification; this must not happen in 2020.

Regards, George Williams

The unintended consequences of COVID-19 Dear Editor, FOR once, there is an unintended consequence that is supremely positive.

The economic havoc that coronavirus is visiting on the world has surely

reduced greenhouse gas emissions in a way that no coordinated actions by nations could have hoped for.

We will come out of this pandemic. The world will survive. But the recovery will require sacrifice, and therein lies the second

unintended consequence.

We, the citizenry of the world, can tell corporations and governments alike that if they want our participation in this shared sacrifice, then these are our conditions: Sustainability is part of

everything we do from now on, and we must engineer and innovate our way out while reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.

Regards Rooplall Dudhnath

Neither the Chair, nor GECOM ... Time for PPP/C to concede the elections From page 6

1980.

And, it is that self-same article 177 (4) which is a continuing provision (it does not cut off in 2004 upon the coming into force of CCJA in 2004, nor can the CCJA be interpreted inconsistent with the finality intendments of art. 177 (4)) of the supreme law which says the decision shall be “final”).

The CCJ, has no jurisdiction whether the decision was made before 2004, or as in the instant case, after 2004.

Nor does it matters one jot that the CoAs jurisdiction in art. 177 (4) is original, and not appellate. Why this is so?

It is so for this simple reason: in 2004 (30th November) when Jagdeo (as president) assented to the Bill, our CoA was the court of last resort, or the apex court in our Judiciary, there is no appeal from the full bench of the Court of Appeal to another full bench of the Court of Appeal. So, “final” in art 177 (4) must be taken as not permitting action in the High Court by the litigant in the CoA thereafter

claiming some breach of constitutional rights by the CoA. How could that ouster of our High Court’s constitutional jurisdiction, in 1980 somehow amount to a creation of a jurisdiction by the CCJA some 24 years later in 2004?

Not even Procrustes in Greek mythology could achieve such result! Any appeal is just another false hope foisted on its hapless supporters by a beleaguered opposition.

The CCJ ought not to even entertain it for arguments on the jurisdiction point. It is hopeless. It is bound to fail.

I end with this: Votes are either valid, or invalid.

An invalid vote cannot be a valid vote. The CEO using the goal post of TAVACE to thwart and defeat fraudulent contrivances decides who we, the people, have chosen to be our President.

Neither the Chair, nor GECOM can direct him.

And only the CoA can tell the CEO his determination is wrong.

Regards, Maxwell E. Edwards

Dear Editor,

THE PPP took Guyana to the brink of conflict when it prematurely declared itself the winner of the 2020 elections, even before the count was completed.

Then, as the count was ongoing, the PPP and its deception group of “INDEPENDENT” small parties began to cry about election rigging.

But thankfully, Mr. Mingo’s actions trapped them into agreeing to a complete recount and verification process. That exercise exposed to the world that it was the PPP that was really trying to rig the elections. Now that their attempted heist was thwarted, it is time for the PPP to give up this charade and concede the elections.

The PPP’s desperation to regain the power it lost in 2015 was evident from the day after it was voted out of office. First, the PPP attempted to poison the will of the local business com-

munity by making some of them believe that the APNU+AFC coalition would collapse ‘within one year’.

Then when that did not happen as they had hoped, they successfully found, and broke the resolve of the weakest Member of Parliament to pass a frivolous no-confidence motion. That reckless behaviour gained them nothing. The coalition was able to serve its full term, albeit under tremendous pressure.

Then as elections preparations were underway, the PPP managed to stop the process that would have helped ensured a credible election – the preparation of a clean voters list. The party successfully petitioned the court to stop the elections commission from removing from that list, the names of those who left the country permanently.

Why? Why would the PPP want a bloated list that can give the PNC the chance to rig the elections? Any unbiased and reasonable person

can answer that question.

The recent recount which was triggered by Mr. Mingo’s actions helped us understand why the PPP insisted on a bloated electoral list. It allowed them to issue fake ID cards for those persons whose names were on the list, but who died or left Guyana to live permanently overseas.

An audit estimated that more than 4,000 illegal votes were of this type of fraud. But that was not enough. There were evidence of other types of illegal votes – for example, more votes than people on the list for specific polling stations, and in those polling places where they went crazy; the documents to prove the fraud conveniently were left out of the boxes. Unfortunately, those votes in those boxes therefore cannot be considered as valid.

Their desperate attempt to regain power through fraud unfortunately placed this country on the brink of a widespread conflict. PPP

supporters began to sow the seeds which they hoped would lead to riots. Policemen were beaten, innocent people had their car windshields broken, defenseless schoolchildren were stoned while travelling in a Granger School bus, and they set fire to an APNU supporter’s way of livelihood – her butcher shop.

APNU supporters meanwhile, demonstrated admirable restraints and self-control.

Because of that, the country avoided what could have evolved into a country-wide racial conflict. Now, after months of delays, the Guyana Court of Appeal has ruled that the fraudulent votes must be excluded from the final results.

It is time therefore for the PPP to accept that its attempt to rig the elections has failed, and it is time for that party to concede.

Respectfully, Max Mohamed

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Four more recover from COVID-19 The March 2, 2020 elections was another …Guyana’s active cases stand at 87 third term attempt by Mr. Jagdeo

Dear Editor, ALL things considered, Bharrat Jagdeo attempted to gain a third term Presidency by hiring Mercury Public Affairs to bribe and coerce several persons associated with a number of foreign and domestic organisations to align their pronouncements and actions regarding the Guyana’s March 2, 2020 elections, to that of the People’s Progressive Party March 2, 2020 election campaign and subsequently narratives regarding the national recount.

Readers would do well to recall that a matter was filed in Guyana’s High Court by one Cedric Richardson and taken up by the PPP. They argued that a thirdterm Presidency was unconstitutional even though Guyana’s Constitution, the Supreme Law of the Land, states that no one person shall be President for more than two terms. Although Mr. Jagdeo denied he had any interest in a third term on several occasions on various media platforms, he and the PPP still financed his initial at-

tempt to disregard Guyana’s Constitution.

If Mr. Jagdeo had gotten his way, that is, if the Appeal Court ruled that valid and invalid votes are one in the same, this would have started the descent into chaos again for Guyana. This essentially would have made free and fair elections a thing of the past in Guyana since, essentially, this ruling would have given equal credibility and weight to fraudulent and valid votes.

What this would have done is to deny Guyanese any meaningful say in future elections.

Additionally, this would have paved a way for Bharrat Jagdeo to be President from behind the scenes, surely the vast majority of right-thinking Guyanese understand that Irfaan Ali and Mark Phillips were collectively nothing more than a front, while Mr. Jagdeo and Mr. Nandalall were the ones behind the scenes deciding on policy and other matters.

Sincerely R. Chung-A-On

LOCAL cases of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) continue to rise consistently, with the latest statistics showing that the country recorded one new case within the past 24 hours.

Health authorities did not say how many tests were conducted within the past 24 hours, but the latest public information shows that 2,147 tests have been conducted so far, with 1,942 proving negative and 107 positive.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, in presenting data on the current situation, said four persons have recovered from the disease, and were medically cleared within the past 24 hours.

Those people joined the other 103 persons who have successfully battled the disease. The total recoveries and 12 deaths have reduced the total number of cases to 87. Of the 87 active cases, 86 are in institutional isolation, and one person is being treated in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

As cases continue to rise, health authorities are urging Guyanese to be responsible and cautious, especially persons who are being repatriated from various countries.

“Guyana is at the crossroads in this pandemic; we must put a handle on the number of reported cases, and so I wish to plead with our repatriating nationals to act responsibly, and provide the health authorities with accurate information on their arrival,” Dr. Persaud said.

Providing the authorities with accurate information, he said, is the only way that the Ministry of Public Health and the surveillance team will effectively be able to monitor those who’ve been repatriated, and manage the COVID-19 situation.

In zeroing in on vulnerable places, Dr. Persaud said barber shops are “hubs” for congregating, socialising and conversing, practices which are against the control measures.

“I understand how much pleasure you derive from being in this environment, but we are in COVID times, and COVID-19 is serious, so I’ am asking that you desist from these risky practic-

es,” the CMO advised.

BARBER-SHOP RULES The owner of the barber shop has the responsibility to ensure that physical distancing is observed; no overcrowding, and that there is provision for handwashing.

Wearing a mask must also be an important part of the set-up.

In relation to children, Dr. Persaud advised barbers to look after them separately, and not have them mingle with the general crowd; you can either set up appointments for them, or have a special time when only children will be accommodated. A similar system must be established for the elderly population.

“I cannot stress enough that our young males, according to our data, are the ones most seriously affected, so we are begging you to be extra careful. Prevention is better than cure.

“Please remember to call the hotlines in your community; use the mobile units or reach out to the COVID-site facilities if you have signs or symptoms, or if you have been in contact with a positive case,” Dr. Persaud advised, Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) is still the epicentre of the disease, and there are a number of communities outside of Georgetown which have recorded cases. The Cuyuni-Mazaruni Region, notably Aranka, has the second highest number of confirmed cases. It is a mining community, which means that there is continuous movement in and out of the area, making it extremely easy for the disease to spread.

Among communities on the East Coast Demerara (ECD) where cases have been recorded are: Atlantic Gardens, Friendship, Golden Grove, Good Hope, Lusignan, Plaisance, and Strathspey, while among those on the East Bank Demerara (EBD) are: Diamond, Grove, Land of Canaan, Providence, and Timehri.

“We wish to remind you of the runaway situation in neighbouring Brazil that has climbed to the position of being the second

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud country in the world to have reported cases with an alarmingly high number of deaths registered,” said Dr. Persaud.

EXTREMELY VULNERABLE Residents in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) are extremely vulnerable because of this situation, and need to be vigilant and stop all cross-border movement, and stop migrant persons entering your community.

Regions One (Barima-Waini), Four, and Seven are the regions which have been most impacted by the disease.

“The mining community is now one of the most vulnerable groups for the spread of this disease…

Residents in Region Seven, I wish to make a special appeal to you as the situation in your community is of grave concern to the ministry,” Dr. Persaud lamented.

COVID-19 remains a serious issue, not just here in Guyana, but globally as well, and according to global statistics, there are 8.8 million cases of COVID-19, with over 465,000 deaths. And, with no approved treatment or cure, there is no assurance that persons will survive after contracting the disease.

In the absence of approved medications, governments and authorities across the world have employed a number of preventive measures to contain the spread of the disease.

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Coalition partners pleased with court’s ruling

COALITION partners of the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) are pleased with the ruling of the Appellate Court that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) must use valid votes to determine the elections results.

Speaking with the newspaper on Tuesday, Working People’s Alliance (WPA) Executive, Dr. David Hinds said that he is pleased with the court’s ruling and with the fact that the anomalies, irregularities and voter impersonation coming out of the elections will be given their due importance in keeping with the recount Order crafted by GECOM. “Once you set yourself that task then GECOM is bound to pay attention to all allegations of tampering and whereas under normal circumstances 20 here, 80 votes here, a hundred votes there, might not have made a difference in the circum-

stances, they make a big difference because they point to something larger than just miscalculation; they point to the very credibility of the elections,” he said.

Dr. Hinds believes that the court’s ruling is also significant because it settles the question of what is a valid vote. He said that while under normal circumstances, a valid vote would be an unspoiled vote, once the recount Order came into effect and outlined that GECOM would be seeking to reconcile ballots issued with ballots cast, the definition of a valid vote has changed. “The quarrel between the coalition which says that a valid vote must meet the standard that is set by the Order and the PPP which is saying a valid vote is a vote that is in the box no matter how it got there, the ruling by the Court of Appeal settled that argument. It says that a vote counted must be a valid vote and it relied on Order No. 60 in coming to

that conclusion,” the WPA Executive stated.

He said that it is his expectation that the remaining stages of the recount process will be completed in keeping with the guidance of the court which should result on the declaration of votes which can be validated.

He added that while some are arguing that the GECOM Chair can reject Lowenfield’s report, he does not see provision for such in the Constitution which instead states that the Chair should be guided by the report presented by the CEO. A LOT OF DISCREPANCIES Meanwhile, General Secretary of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/C), Amna Ally said that her party, as a coalition member, is also pleased with the ruling of the court.

“I think that the Court of

NCTF announces July repatriation flights from New York and Miami THE National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) announced on Tuesday the confirmation of two repatriation flights for Guyanese nationals stranded in the United States of America.

The first flight will arrive in Guyana on July 1, 2020 from Miami, departing at 08:30 hours, while the second flight will arrive on July 2 from New York, departing at 08:30 hours.

Both flights are being facilitated by Eastern Airlines.

The NCTF said that additional flights are being planned in consultation with various airlines, and the details will be provided as these are confirmed.

“The additional flights will cater to Guyanese stranded in North America and the Caribbean. All citizens will be responsible for their own airfare and other expenses, and must complete PCR COVID-19 testing, and test negative for consideration, in addition to filling out and submitting the Repatriation Form. Upon return to Guyana, all citizens must self-quarantine for a period of seven days. Officials from the Ministry of Public Health will monitor all persons on self-quarantine,” the Task Force noted.

It explained that Guyanese nationals stranded in the various countries in the Western Hemisphere have been prioritised for repatriation. Meanwhile, the country’s borders with Brazil and Suriname remain

Returning Guyanese being sanitised upon entry at the CJIA (DPI photo) closed, and no entry will be permitted to persons in these two countries until further notice.

Recently, 322 persons returned home from Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados through repatriation flights facilitated by Eastern Airlines and Caribbean Airlines. Before that, the first flight of over 130 Guyanese arrived in the country from Miami on June 6, 2020, while a flight

also came from the U.S. on June 16.

The NCTF reminds Guyanese stranded overseas that if they have not yet done so, they should contact their nearest diplomatic mission, or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs directly.

The Contact details are listed on the ministry’s website along with the Repatriation Form: www.minfor.gov.gy.

Working People’s Alliance (WPA) Executive, David Hinds

General Secretary of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R), Amna Ally

Executive Member of the National Front Alliance, Keith Scott

Appeal is in its right. I agree with their ruling because there were quite a lot of discrepancies and anomalies in the March, 2 elections and one of the things that the recount set out to do Is to test the credibility of the elections and I believe that the ruling of the court is in keeping with that because we cannot have a result that is not credible,” Ally said.

Furthermore, she noted that while some political parties have chosen to down play or ignore the anomalies,

irregularities and voter impersonation coming out of the elections, GECOM had already agreed, according to the recount Order, that the said cases would be taken in to consideration.

Ally added: “The bottom line is that the valid votes must be counted and I’m happy that the court has ruled in that respect so that the CEO can have guidance in preparing his report.”

Also weighing in, Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott,

representing the National Front Alliance, said that his party, as a coalition partner, is very happy that the court was sought as an avenue to provide a resolution on the matter.

“It is our hope that the decision of the Appeal Court will be accepted as final,” he said, noting that, moving forward, he hopes that the country’s political parties will pursue Constitutional reform as promised for the betterment of Guyana.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 24, 2020

‘We need to heal our men’ … sociologist says society is one-sided about human emotions

DOMESTIC violence has long been a recurring scourge to the Guyanese society and all over the world.

And the cases being reported are expanding to include couples of younger ages, even as young as teens.

Just recently, there was a case of a 17-year-old girl who lost her life at the hands of her 20-year-old boyfriend, and there are many other cases of similar nature.

A young Guyanese Sociologist, Deondra Wishart, by way of her Facebook platform, has started the conversation to tackle what she believes is the root cause of this problem.

On her platform, the young woman uploads videos every Tuesday, on what she calls, ‘Mental Health Tuesdays’. On Tuesday, she spoke extensively on the importance of mental health in males to enable them to

better function in society.

Wishart said that society is one-sided about human emotions, and has preconditioned men to close up about their feelings, and that is where the problem starts, as she believes emotions don’t differ by gender; that it operates on a human level.

“Human beings are made up of feelings; we all feel, so it’s kind of double standard that you tell females to express themselves and let people know how they are feeling and if they are hurt, but males are told to suck it up and be a man. Society treats them like they need to be macho; they need to be strong and do their work, and make money and take care of their families, but they are humans too,” the young woman said.

She pointed to the fact that from a very young age, boy children are taught not to cry and not to act a certain

way, otherwise they will be called a girl; that they’re also shown less love because they are preconditioned to be tough and strong. So when they grow old, even though they feel the same emotion as any human being, they lack the know-how to express it.

“Our men need love too; they need us to listen to them. We need to let them know that we care; that we understand, and that we are there with them. We can’t have our men walking around, broken inside, trying to hold it together to provide for us. It is not right; we need to fix it, because these are the things that are causing problems in our society. And as a sociologist, I know that every part of society is connected.

And with the little bit of social psychology that I did, we need to always ensure that our minds are right. So, if a man’s mind is not right, and he is being told from a

baby men don’t cry and men don’t show feelings, what do you think is going to happen to his psyche? Because they can’t express themselves openly, they have sudden outbursts, and they lash out, and that is a problem in our society. Because when they lash out, domestic violence is on the increase in Guyana, suicide increases, murder suicide, you name it, we see it,” Wishart expressed.

To this end, she said that she believes a space needs to be created in homes, schools and communities where males can be free to express themselves. She noted, too, that there are countless programmes tailored to women and their empowerment and

wellbeing, but not much for males.

“We need to be able to condition our sons from early that it is okay to cry; it wouldn’t make you less of a man if you cry. Mental health is very important.

And I think in order for us to help in fixing this problem, we need to fix both persons in the problem. The man and the woman. There are a lot of programmes that focus on females, but what about the men? You can’t fix one half of the whole, and expect the other half to just fix itself. We need to always remember to fix both sides of the coin. So if we are going to talking about healing women and empow-

Sociologist and Youth Leader, Deondra Wishart ering women, we have to do the same for men. But first we need to start the conversation about them.

We need to start working to break that cycle. Start the conversation and allow men to feel and express their emotions.

Men need love and attention too,” Wishart said.

Dengue cases in the Americas top 1.6 million … PAHO says report highlights need for mosquito control during COVID-19 pandemic WASHINGTON D.C., June 23, 2020 (PAHO) — More than 1.6 million cases of dengue have been reported in the Americas in the first five months of 2020, drawing attention to the need to continue eliminating mosquito vectors of disease even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“While social distancing measures are in place, households should be encouraged to work together in and around their homes to get rid of stagnant water, reduce and dispose of solid waste, and to ensure proper covering of all water storage containers. These measures can be done as a family activity,” according to a recent epidemiological update on dengue and other arboviruses from the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO).

In addition to the 1.6 million dengue cases, there were also 37,279 chikungunya cases, and 7,452 Zika cases reported to PAHO. The numbers so far in 2020 show a 10 per cent relative decrease compared to the same period in 2019, which was an epidemic year.

PAHO’s figures show that 580 people have died from dengue so far in 2020.

Most cases of dengue in the Americas were from Brazil, with 1,040,481 cases, representing 65 per cent of the total. Other countries with significant numbers included Paraguay, with 218,798 cases (14 per cent), Bolivia, with 82,460 cases (five per cent), Argentina with 79,775 cases (five per cent), and Colombia with 54,192 cases (three per cent). High dengue incidence rates were also reported in Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua, with fewer numbers in other Central American and Caribbean countries.

The PAHO Update said, “The COVID-19 pandemic is placing immense pressure on healthcare and management systems worldwide. Notwithstanding the impact of

COVID-19, there is a crucial need to sustain efforts to address dengue” and other mosquito-borne diseases using the Integrated Management Strategy to prevent and control them. This strategy covers management, epidemiology, patient care, laboratory, integrated vector management, and environment.

“People who have symptoms of dengue, including fever and severe headaches, should seek medical attention and be alert to warning signs for severity in dengue such as persistent vomiting, intense abdominal pain, and dizziness,” said Dr. Luis Gerardo Castellanos, who heads PAHO’s unit on neglected, tropical and vector-borne diseases.

Being confined at home during the pandemic is also a good opportunity to clean up mosquito breeding grounds, Castellanos said.

These include uncovered water containers, old tires, and trash with any recipients that can hold water. “If we all act systematically to eliminate mosquito habitats, we can strike a blow against dengue by reducing the risk of transmission,” he added.

Countries in the Americas, the PAHO update said, “are urged to make effective use of available resources, as staff, equipment, and supplies are likely to be diverted to provide response to the COVID-19 epidemic within countries.”

The aim is “to reduce the transmission and strive to identify early predictors of severe dengue disease at the primary healthcare level.” Cases of chikungunya were reported in 11 countries and territories, with 95 per cent of the cases in Brazil in 2020.

And Zika cases were reported this year in Brazil, Bolivia, and Guatemala, at a much lower level than 2016, when the disease was identified and caused more than 650,000 cases.

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 24, 2020

PPP/C moves to CCJ … to challenge Court of Appeal’s final decision on ‘valid votes’

ONE day after the Court of Appeal ruled that the election of a President ought to be done using “valid votes” in accordance with the Constitution and Order No. 60, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) moved to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in an attempt to overturn that decision, but Guyana’s Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams says no appeal can be made to the case.

In a majority decision, the Court of Appeal on Monday ordered that the words, “more votes are cast” in Article 177 (2) (b) of the Constitution of Guyana, be interpreted to mean “more valid votes are cast” in relation to the election held on March 2, 2020.

But the decision, which was handed down by Justice of Appeal Dawn Gregory and High Court Judge Justice Brassington Reynolds, with a dissenting vote by Justice of Appeal Rishi Persaud, did not sit well with the PPP/C and its allies, who continue to maintain that the Appellate Court has no jurisdiction to adjudicate in the case brought

by North Sophia voter Eslyn David against the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and others.

The PPP/C, through its General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, and Presidential Candidate, Mohammed Irfaan Ali, are now seeking special leave to appeal the Court of Appeal’s decision in the CCJ. The case – Mohammed Irfaan Ali and Bharrat Jagdeo vs Eslyn David, the Chief Elections Officer, the Chairman of the Elections Commission, GECOM, the Attorney-General and others – was filed in the CCJ on Tuesday, and served on the respondents.

JURISDICTION In the ‘Notice of Application’ seen by the Guyana Chronicle, Jagdeo and Ali have asked the CCJ to set aside the entire ruling of the Court of Appeal, on the basis that it lacked jurisdiction to hear and determine the case, and as such, all orders made as part of the decision be discharged.

Before proceeding to interpret Article 177 (2) (b) of the Constitution, the Court of Appeal had first established that Article 177 (4) had conferred upon it an original constitutional jurisdiction to determine any question relative to the election of the President within the Article.

Notably, Article 177 (4) states: “The Court of Appeal

PPP/C General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo and PPP/C Presidential Candidate, Dr. Irfaan Ali shall have exclusive jurisdic- being a genuine attempt to tion to hear and determine any invoke the special, original question as to the validity of jurisdiction of the Court of an election of a President in Appeal under Article 177(4), so far as that question depends the said Motion is a contrived upon the qualification of any and thinly-veiled attack on person for election or the the exercise of the powers of interpretation of the Constitu- the GECOM, and its decision tion; and any decision of that to hold a recount, which said Court under this paragraph decision and its implementashall be final.” tion, and the conduct of the Both Justices Gregory actual recount have arisen in and Reynolds agreed that circumstances which have Article 177 (4) ought to be been widely publicised naread disjunctively, explaining tionally and internationally,” that the Article relates to the the PPP/C Attorneys said in questions as to the validity the Notice of Appeal, as they of a President insofar as such provided the CCJ with their questions depend, “(a) upon vision of the history of the the qualification of any person electoral process in Guyana, for election or (b) upon the inclusive of the National Reinterpretation of the Consti- count, which was triggered by tution.”

Order No. 60 of 2020.

“To my mind, the court is Through their Attorneys, well within the jurisdiction, the PPP/C officials submitted as accorded to it within the to the CCJ that the Court of confines of Article 177 (4), Appeal erred in Law, and which creates two limbs for “was plainly wrong” when it jurisdiction, and that jurisdic- found that it had jurisdiction tion turns on the election of a to hear and consider the Nopresident, whether the court tice of Motion filed by David, is exercising the jurisdiction even though a President, to in relation to qualification or date, has not been elected, and whether the court is exercis- the issue of the validity has ing its jurisdiction in relation not arisen thus far. to interpretation, the jurisThis issue was among diction turns on election of a those addressed by JusPresident, when one considers tice Reynolds before he arthe wording of Article 177 rived at his decision that (4),” Justice Gregory said as the Court had jurisdiction. she delivered the ruling.

The Judge said that the But PPP/C officials, conclusion of the electoral through their Legal Counsel - process is not a precondiTrinidad and Tobago’s Senior tion for Article 177 (4) to Counsel Douglas Mendes be invoked, as he pointed to and Attorney-at-Law Anil Article 177 (6).

Nandlall– contended that the Appellate Court had no juORDER NO. 60 AND ITS risdiction to grant any of the PUSH FOR orders sought by David in the CREDIBILITY original appeal.

While the attorneys, “The Motion was framed in their application to the as an application pursuant to CCJ, contended that DaArticle 177(4) of the Constitu- vid’s Motion in the Court tion of Guyana, but the relief of Appeal was “a contrived sought therein, the intended and thinly-veiled” attack on Appellants contend, fall out- the exercise of the powers of side the scope and intent of GECOM, Kim Kyte-ThomArticle 177(4). Rather than as, the Legal Counsel who

represented the Chair of the Elections Commission, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh in the Court of Appeal, had conceded that the Order No. 60 laid the grounds for GECOM to determine “a final credible count”.

Order No. 60, which was gazetted on May 4, 2020, and amended on May 29, 2020, was the legal cover used by GECOM, under Article 162 of the Constitution and Section 22 of the Elections Law (Amendment) Act, to facilitate a 33-day National Recount in its quest to determine a final credible count. Paragraph 14, in particular, ties the Elections Commission to declare the results of the General and Regional Elections, based on a “final credible count”.

“Counsel for the second-named respondent,

a responsibility to determine the final credible count of the results. It would be reasonable to presume that the final credible count would require both quantitative and qualitative assessments of reports, and the summary of observations submitted to the Commission in compliance with Order No. 60 of 2020.”

Though the Order clearly provides for a determination of “a final credible count,” the Elections Commission on June 16 said it had no jurisdiction to determine the credibility and validity of the votes after it was faced with a National Recount Report from the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield which indicated that more than 200,000 votes had been “tainted” due to widespread anomalies and cases of voter

Officer from issuing his Report pursuant to Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act or any report in reliance on the decision, inclusive of the modified interpretation of Article 177 (2) (b) of the Constitution of Guyana given by the Court of Appeal, pending the determination of this application and the Appeal for which special leave is [being] sought.”

Further to that, the PPP/C wants an interim order restraining GECOM and or the Chief Elections Officer from determining whether the recounted votes, as tabulated by the Chief Election Officer, constitutes “a final credible count”, or determining the credibility or validity of the tabulated votes.

The Caribbean Court of Justice GECOM’s Chair, admitted that GECOM did set as its objective determining the final credible count of votes, but by saying that it would be effectively a usurpation of the High Court’s function, after the fact of its inclusion in the very order which brought the recount into being, concedes an abdication of sorts of the Commission’s responsibilities in that regard,” Justice Reynolds said.

He noted that the term “final credible count” was deployed twice in the Order, while pointing out that it could be found in the third recital, at the beginning of the original order, and in the final paragraph of the amended order. “I conclude that the reasonable inference to be drawn from the inclusion of this formulation of words is that the Commission, having defined it as an objective of the recount, must have intended that those words be given effect to,” Justice Reynolds said.

He added: “Accordingly, I find that GECOM does have

impersonation.

Without determining the “final credible count,” the Commission instructed to the CEO to compile and submit an Elections Report

by June 18, so as to pave way for the declaration of the Elections Result, and ultimately the swearing in of the President. Moments before the CEO handed in his report, David challenged GECOM’s decision in the Court of Appeal.

INTERIM ORDERS Meanwhile, outside of the order seeking a reverse of the Court of Appeal’s decision, the PPP/C officials are asking the CCJ for several interim orders to be granted, so as to block the Chief Elections Officer from submitting his report to the Elections Commission in compliance with the Constitution, Order No. 60, and the decision of the Court of Appeal.

Jagdeo and Ali are seeking an interim order: “Restraining the Chief Election

NO ROOM FOR APPEAL But, the Attorney-General on Tuesday said that the Appeal filed by the PPP/C officials is ill-conceived, explaining that though the CCJ is Guyana’s apex court, the Caribbean Court of Justice Act, Chapter 3:07 limits the appellate jurisdiction of the Court in Section 4 (3).

That section states: “Nothing in this Act shall confer jurisdiction on the Court to hear matters in relation to any decision of the Court of Appeal which at the time of entry into force of this Act was declared to be final by any law.” Notably, Article 177 (4), which was used by the Court of Appeal to establish jurisdiction in David’s case, states that any decision of the Court under that section shall be final.”

The Caribbean Court of Justice Act took effect in 2004, at which time Article 177 (4) of the Constitution was already a part of the laws of Guyana.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 24, 2020

What constitutes a ‘Valid’ Vote?

THE Appellate Court has affirmed that the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, must ascertain a winner of Guyana’s 2020 General and Regional Elections from only valid votes cast. However, to understand what constitutes a “valid” vote, one must turn to the Constitution and the laws which guide Guyana’s current electoral process.

Currently, the nation awaits the completion of the ongoing national recount process which must next see the handing over of the CEO’s report to the Guyana Elections Commission (CEO). The entire national recount process is being guided by Order No. 60 and its addendum which were crafted by the Commission and which outline what determines a “valid” vote.

THE RECOUNT ORDER The national recount Order was made by the Elections Commission pursuant to its powers under Article 162 of the Constitution and Section 22 of the Elections Laws (Amendment) Act, No. 15 of 2000. It was gazetted on May 4, 2020. It first outlines that though the declarations for each Region were made, aspects of the process were subject to legal proceedings.

It then explains that an agreement was forged between President David Granger, Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo and CARCOM, for the conduct of a national recount of all ballots cast.

The Order then outlines that the Elections Commission agreed on April 3, 2020 to the recount and was therefore expected to determine the terms of reference and modalities of the recount process. Based on agreements made at the Commission level the Order next outlines that the recount process shall be undertaken and executed by GECOM, scrutinised by a CARICOM Team and conducted in the presence of political party representatives and local and international observers.

Detailing next how the ballots should be counted, the Order states: “AND WHEREAS the Guyana Elections Commission, in exercise of the authority vested in it under Article 162 of the Constitution and pursuant to Section 22 of the Elections Laws (Amendment) Act, No. 15 of 2000, seeks to remove difficulties connected with the application of the Representation of the People Act, Chapter 1:03, in implementing its decisions relating to the conduct of the aforementioned recount of all ballots cast at the said elections, including the reconciliation of the ballots issued with the ballots cast, destroyed, spoiled, stamped,

and as deemed necessary, their counterfoils/stubs; authenticity of the ballots and the number of voters listed and crossed out as having voted; the number of votes cast without ID cards; the number of proxies issued and the number utilised; statistical anomalies; occurrences recorded in the Poll Book.”

The Commission, Chaired

by Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, agreed to the said Order which paved the way for the commencement of the four-phase national recount.

Throughout phase one of the recount, the APNU+AFC highlighted cases which it believes ran contrary to the Order and what had been deemed necessary for “reconciliation of the ballots issued with the ballots cast”. These cases included: counterfoils and ballots carrying the same number; ballots for one region cast in another; ballots cast for the dead and persons who have migrated; persons voting without proper identification; persons voting outside of their districts without employment documents; large numbers of improperly stamped ballots at locations where disciplined services members voted; missing poll books and documents from one polling station being found in the ballot boxes of another.

They included unmatched or missing documents for which instances the GCCI noted: “In rare cases, the number of used counterfoils did not correspond with the marked lists and in other cases, there were some envelopes not accounted for at the time. There were also cases, where ballots of another party were found amongst the ballots of another.”

Meanwhile, the CARICOM Scrutinising Team, which only scrutinised 18% of the ballots counted, highlighted it its report: “Overall, while we acknowledge that there were some defects in the recount of the March 2, 2020 votes cast for the General and Regional Elections in Guyana, the Team did not witness anything which would render the recount, and, by extension, the casting of the ballot on March 2, so grievously deficient, procedurally or technically (despite some irregularities), or sufficiently deficient to have thwarted the will of the people.”

The team also spoke directly to the absence of statutory documents in 29 ballot boxes which it said points to a “need for a serious investigation by GECOM”. Though the aforementioned reports and individuals did not believe that the wrongdoings

appear to satisfy the criteria of impartiality, fairness, and compliance with provisions of the Constitution and the ROPA Cap 1:03.”

THE COURT’S POSITION Again, though the aforementioned reports and individuals did not believe that the wrongdoings highlighted during the process were of great magnitude, the Appellate Court ruled on Monday that the words “more votes” in the Article 177 (2) (b) of the Constitution of Guyana be interpreted to mean “more valid votes” in determining the election of a President.

2020. “To my mind, this court has the jurisdiction, in light of Order No. 60 of 2020, to interpret those words to mean ‘if more valid votes are cast’,” Justice Gregory said as she handed down her ruling.

A VALID VOTE Therefore, in answering the question of what constitutes a “valid” vote, one must return to Order No. 60 which was made by the Elections Commission pursuant to its powers under Article 162 of the Constitution and Section 22 of the Elections Laws (Amendment) Act, No. 15 of 2000.

come is not credible, then the outcome itself could not be credible. GECOM is required to present a credible account of this recount process. It is strange to see how GECOM can give a credible report of the recount process if it is precluded from substantiating the integrity of the information,” former Judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Professor Duke Pollard had told the newspaper on June 10, 2020. He said that GECOM is bound to the provision of credible elections results and cannot submit to the country information which lacks integrity as “it would be counter-productive

Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield

WRONGDOINGS ACKNOWLEDGED All parties involved in the recount process, including local and international observers, acknowledged that there was some amount of wrongdoings present in the elections based on the absence of materials from various ballot boxes.

Questioned whether his party noticed irregularities during phase one of the recount process, People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Executive, Anil Nandlall, stated that though noticed, there were no irregularities of “substantive and substantial nature”. These sentiments were shared by a number of other small parties.

One local observer, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) noted that it did observe anomalies during the recount process and listed the cases of these in its summary report.

highlighted during the process were of great magnitude, the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, who is in receipt of all Observation reports from every Region, was able to highlight a high number of wrongdoings in his recount report to the Elections Commission.

When the CEO submitted his report on June 13, he noted that, undoubtedly, cases of irregularities, anomalies and voter impersonation were present in the elections. He outlined 4,864 cases of voter impersonation and more than 2,000 anomalies which were verified by the Commission.

Together, they have tainted over 200,000 votes.

The CEO also stated that the presence of these cases hinders him from determining that the elections were credible. He concluded that the election: “... clearly does not

An excerpt from Order No. 60 of 2020

The order granted by the Appellate Court signals a significant win for Eslyn David – a North Sophia voter – who had challenged a decision of GECOM to proceed with the compilation and submission of an Elections Report under Article 177 (2) (b) and Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act without first determining a “final credible count” as provided for in Order No. 60 (recount Oder) and its addendum.

In issuing the order, Justice of Appeal, Dawn Gregory, who led a panel of three judges, explained that Order No. 60 and its addendum had “sufficient force” to impact the interpretation of those words in Article 177 (2) (b) in relation the General and Regional Elections held on March 2,

The Oder outlines the need for the “reconciliation of the ballots issued with the ballots cast, destroyed, spoiled, stamped, and as deemed necessary, their counterfoils/stubs; authenticity of the ballots and the number of voters listed and crossed out as having voted; the number of votes cast without ID cards; the number of proxies issued and the number utilised; statistical anomalies; occurrences recorded in the Poll Book.”

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the word ‘reconcile’ as “to make consistent or congruous”. If this is not achieved in some cases during the process, then reconciliation in those cases is not achieved. “If the information provided for the out-

so to do.”

This was the similar position held by the Court of Appeal on June 22, 2020 which bound GECOM to the declaration of results only on valid votes cast.

Justice Brassington Reynolds, who formed part of the panel of judges at the Court of Appeal on Monday, stated: “Accordingly, I find that GECOM does have a responsibility to determine the final credible count of the results. It would be reasonable to presume that the final credible count would require both quantitative and qualitative assessments of reports and the summary of observations submitted to the Commission in compliance with Order No. 60 of 2020.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 24, 2020

CCJ issues orders blocking declaration of elections results

THE Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), on Tuesday, ordered the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to halt the electoral process pending its decision on whether or not the Court of Appeal had jurisdiction to interpret Article 177 (2) (b) of the Constitution to mean “more valid votes are cast.”

In the appeal filed by People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo and its Presidential Candidate, Irfaan Ali, the CCJ ordered that: “The Guyana Elections Commission and its officers and agents take no step to prejudice the fair hearing of this Application including but not limited to issuing a declaration of the results of the elections held on 2nd March 2020, until this Court issues final orders following the hearing and determination of the questions raised before this Honourable Court in the said Application.”

The Order was handed down by a panel of judges led by President of the CCJ, Justice Adrian Saunders in the case – Mohammed Irfaan Ali and Bharrat Jagdeo v Eslyn David, the Chief Elections Officer and others.

Earlier on Tuesday, Ali and Jagdeo, through their attorneys Trinidad Senior Counsel Douglas Mendes and Attorney-at-Law Anil Nandlall – had applied for special leave to appeal the Court of Appeal’s decision in the CCJ with the intention of having it struck out. The Court of Appeal’s decision was handed down on Monday, however, it agreed to stay its order for a period of three days based on a request by Attorney-at-Law Kashir Khan, who was representing Change Guyana and Citizenship Initiative in the original case brought by David.

While the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams had contended the decision of the Court of Appeal could

not have been appealed at the level of the CCJ in light of the fact that the Caribbean Court of Justice Act, Chapter 3:07 limits the appellate jurisdiction of the Court in Section 4 (3), the CCJ relied on Section 8 of the Caribbean Court of Justice Act, Cap 3:07 of the Laws of Guyana to issue its orders.

The country’s apex court took into account its overriding objective, including its inherent power to actively manage cases and make orders as may be necessary to meet the ends of justice as stated in Rule 1.3 (2) of the Caribbean Court of Justice (Appellate Jurisdiction) Rules, 2019.

In addition to freezing the electoral process, the CCJ, ordered that case management be done on Thursday. It ordered that: “A Case Management Conference be held on Thursday 25th June 2020 at 3:00 pm via video conference pursuant to Part 8.2(f) of the Caribbean Court of Justice (Appellate Jurisdiction), Rules 2019 with a view to a proposed hearing, to determine issues raised in the Application, on the 1 st day of July 2020 at 10:00 am via video conference.”

Hours after the application was filed on Tuesday, the CCJ, through its Deputy Registrar and Marshal, Gizel Thomas-Roberts had informed the parties in the case that an order would be handed down today.

“I have been instructed by the Bench to inform that the Court will no later than Wednesday 24th June, 2020 issue an Order that (a) maintains the status quo until further order; (b) orders the holding of a CMC (Case Management Conference) in this matter on Thursday 25th June, 2020 at 3:00pm with a view towards (c) a full hearing of all the matters in dispute on Wednesday 1st July, 2020 at 10:00am,” Thomas-Roberts said in a notice to parties involved. The Orders were subsequently issued.

The Caribbean Court of Justice Notably, while the Court of Appeal interpreted the Article 177 (2) (b) to mean “more valid votes are cast” and has since stayed its order, it was unable, due to its limited jurisdiction, to restrict the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, from submitting his Election Report. That Report was submitted to the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh on Tuesday before the CCJ issued its order.

Meanwhile, in a letter to the Chair of GECOM and her Attorney Kim Kyte-Thomas on Tuesday, PPP/C Attorney Devindra Kissoon asked the Elections Commission to hold its hands in light of the case filed by Ali and Jagdeo in the CCJ.

“In light of the pending appeal, we respectfully write this letter to request that you undertake to take no further steps in matters relating to the Regional and General Elections, including matters relating to the report of the Chief Elections Officer dated and submitted to GECOM today, June 23, 2020, until the matter is finally resolved by the CCJ,” Kissoon said in the letter.

The Elections Commission was expected to meet on Tuesday at 11:00hrs, however, its meeting was cancelled, to allow for the circulation of the written order and decision of the Court of Appeal among its members, and in light of the appeal filed in the CCJ.

Threats of sanctions ‘loose talk’ –– U.S. Attorney, Dr. Bart Fisher, slams U.S. officials for interference in Guyana’s elections WASHINGTON DC Attorney, Dr. Bart Fisher has described the threats of sanctions to Guyana by United States (U.S.) senators, congressmen and Department of State as mere “loose talk” and interference in the affairs of Guyana’s elections.

Reports are that many of those who spoke on behalf of the U.S. were heavily lobbied for by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) through Mercury Public Affairs, a Trump Campaign political consulting firm.

Appearing as a guest on the radio programme, ‘Straight Up Live’ on Saturday, Dr. Fisher summed up his position on the matter, stating: “There had been some loose talk by the State Department about possible sanctions and that was preposterous at the time but now, in light of this Court

decision, it’s even more ludicrous to talk about sanctions.

I don’t see how you could sanction somebody for having an election based on valid votes.”

Dr. Fisher has been following the elections unfolding in Guyana and has heard the calls for sanctions to be heaped on the country, led out by its Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo. He has also heard the threats coming from U.S. senators, congressmen and Department of State and believes that their involvement amounts to interference.

“The people of Guyana should just breathe easily now; just let the Commission do its thing and respect what Keith Lowenfield comes up with, that’s his job,” he urged.

Speaking to the ruling of the Court of Appeal, he added: “It was a big day for the rule of law and from the U.S.

standpoint I think it’s very important to not interfere and let the Commission do its thing.”

Dr. Fisher’s view is that the Appellate Court gave a fair ruling in the elections matter and such ruling should have come as obvious to all parties involved.

“It seemed to me, rather obvious, that you would just want to have a recount based on valid votes,” he stated.

“Why would you want to have a recount and base it on invalid votes? So, for me, it was just a blinding glimpse of the obvious.”

While some politicians have made it out to be highly impossible that Guyana could experience cases such as voter impersonation, Dr. Fisher said that even well-developed countries like the United States have been affected by such cases.

“In U.S. politics, it’s not a phenomenon also to have the ‘dead man’ vote, so, basically, we’re back to the principle of how do we proceed and we should proceed with valid votes,” he said.

On previous occasions, the Attorney has applauded the statement of U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, that the U.S. is entirely nonpartisan about which party wins Guyana’s 2020 election, and that she supports a transparent and credible recount process.

“The international community needs to respect Guyana’s sovereignty, and the U.S. needs to let the lawful election process proceed in an open and transparent manner.

The U.S. did not appreciate foreign interference in its 2016 election, and should not interfere in Guyana’s election. Let Guyana handle its

electoral process. Let Guyana breathe,” he wrote in a public opinion piece.

Meanwhile, earlier this month, U.S. Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Co-chair of the Caribbean Cacus in the US House of Representatives, in blistering comments, condemned foreign interference in Guyana’s elections process.

The Congresswoman said she has been monitoring what has been taking place in Guyana and is eager to get back to Washington to be fully briefed on what the State Department is actually doing in Guyana and is willing to take strong action if necessary.

“We know what’s at stake in Guyana right now. It’s not just the sovereignty, it’s the wealth. We have some corrupt, I called them ‘pirates’, governing the United States right now. And I’m very con-

Washington D.C. lawyer, Dr. Bart Fisher cerned about undue influence of corporations and entities outside of Guyana determining the fate of the Guyanese people. That cannot happen.

I would encourage everyone, Guyanese Americans, to let your voices be known,” Clarke has urged.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Hong Kong people look forward to implementation of law on safeguarding national security in HK

HONG KONG, June 22 (Xinhua) -- People from various sectors in Hong Kong are looking forward to the early implementation of the law on safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and hope the new law will ensure Hong Kong’s long-term peace and order.

The draft law was submitted for deliberation at the 19th session of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People’s Congress from June 18 to 20.

Choi Koon-shum, chairman of the Chi-

nese General Chamber of Commence of Hong Kong, said the draft law shows that the central authorities respect, trust and care about the HKSAR and Hong Kong residents and are firmly committed to “one country, two systems.”

Hong Kong’s recent stable stock and property markets show that Hong Kong residents and foreign investors have responded positively to the law, Choi said.

The human rights and freedom of Hong Kong residents are not restricted or impacted, and only an extreme minority

of people committing crimes endangering national security will be punished, Wong said, adding that the central authorities respect Hong Kong’s judicial independence.

Wong expected the enactment of the law will end the chaos and reinforce Hong Kong’s status as an international financial center so that more foreign businesses will be reassured and continue to invest in Hong Kong.

Lo Man-tuen, executive director of Hong Kong Association for Promotion of Peaceful

Reunification of China, highlighted the importance of law enforcement.

It is legal and necessary for the office of safeguarding national security in the HKSAR and related organs of the central authorities to exercise jurisdiction over an extremely small number of criminal cases that endanger national security under specific circumstances, Lo said.

The law on safeguarding national security in Hong Kong will play a crucial role in improving the situation of Hong Kong, Lo said.

China’s BeiDou system primed for serving whole world BEIJING, June 23 (Xinhua) -- China launched the last satellite of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) on Tuesday, marking the completion of the country’s independently developed orbital navigation network, and a landmark step of its peaceful exploration of space.

The BeiDou network, a major infrastructure independently constructed and operated by China, can better meet the demands of the country’s national security, economic as well as social development. It can also provide more stable and reliable services, as well as an alternative to the U.S.-owned Global Positioning System (GPS) for global users.

Given national security concerns due to the GPS’s dominance, China is not

the only one in the world that strives to develop its satellite navigation systems.

For many years, the European Union, Russia and others have all been working on their own projects.

Thus one of the BDS’s prominent principles is indigenous innovation.

Core technologies as well as key components and software of the BDS are independently developed and manufactured by China.

The BeiDou system also features openness and compatibility. The system provides open satellite navigation services free of charge, encourages international exchanges and cooperation, and strives to enhance compatibility and interoperability with other navigation satellite systems, so as to provide better

services to users worldwide.

After 26 years of arduous work, the BDS has now earned a global reputation for its high-accuracy service and various service capabilities in positioning, navigation and timing, short message communication, and international search and rescue.

Thousands of years ago, the Chinese invented the compass, which had made long-range voyages on rough and vast seas possible, and helped usher in the Age of Discovery.

Today, the BDS network is primed for facilitating an even stronger global connectivity in this age of globalization, and helping countries worldwide to chart their own courses into a better future.

A carrier rocket carrying the last satellite of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) blasts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China’s Sichuan Province, June 23, 2020.

(Photo by Hu Xujie/Xinhua)

Beijing adopts targeted approach in fighting new infections of COVID-19 BEIJING, June 22 (Xinhua) -- The capital city of Beijing has adopted a more targeted approach to tackle the resurgence of the novel coronavirus outbreak in order to balance epidemic containment with normalization of life.

From June 11 to 21, Beijing reported 236 confirmed domestically-transmitted cases.

Starting June 16, the national capital city upgraded the posture of emergency response to COVID-19 from level III to II.

Instead of classifying the COVID-19 risk based on districts, Beijing categorized the risks in subdistricts and townships and accordingly adjusted the classification. A subdistrict is an urban administrative division one level lower than a district and consists of several residential communities or neighborhoods.

Beijing has more than 300 subdistricts and townships.

As of 3:00 p.m. Sunday, the city had listed 37 subdistricts and townships as medi-

People queue up to receive test at a temporary nucleic acid testing site in Fengtai District of Beijing, capital of China, June 15, 2020.(Xinhua/Ren Chao)

um-risk zones and four as high-risk ones.

RAISING THE GUARD Most of the latest COVID-19 cases reported in Beijing were related to Xinfadi, a large wholesale market for fruits, vegetables, and meat catering to the demand of the national capital city of more than 21 million.

To contain the spread of the disease, Beijing has been undertaking extensive testing of people who had been to the market, and implemented strict community control measures in surrounding areas.

Since June 13, people working in the market, residents of nearby communities, and people who visited the facility have been identified to undergo nucleic acid tests.

Beijing has launched a citywide campaign to trace people who visited the market since May 30 via door-to-door inquiries, calls, social media platforms, and other methods.

As of Saturday, nearly 2.3 million people in the city had been sampled for nucleic acid tests, according to local authorities.

The city has also prioritized testing for employees of restaurants, grocery stores, wholesale markets, and courier and food delivery, according to the municipal government.

To cope with the surging demand for tests, Beijing more than doubled its daily nucleic acid testing capacity in a few days, bringing it to 230,000 from 100,000 as of Saturday.

MITIGATING IMPACTS China’s State Council on April 22 called for adjusting and optimizing standards for classifying epidemic risks to reflect threat levels in a more targeted way and adapt to the demands of regular epidemic prevention and control.

Risk levels affect the control measures applied to business operations and the flow of people. For example, those from mediumand high-risk areas are not allowed to leave Beijing.

Supermonkey, a gym chain, had suspended operations at an outlet in Xicheng District, where the outbreak was more severe, while keeping four stores in Chaoyang District open as of Saturday.

“This outbreak did not affect our businesses much,” said Fang Fang, who works at a beauty salon in the Fangzhuang residential community in southern Beijing, a low-risk area.

The salon recently received a steady number of around 40 people daily and Fang served five customers Friday, a good footfall for a weekday, she said.

Like in other stores, customers follow a strict procedure of taking temperatures, showing health codes on their phones, and filling up necessary contact information. Disinfectants are placed right near the entrance.

“The situation now is better than in the first quarter, when the novel coronavirus epidemic first began,” Fang said.

“And we have also gotten used to regularly disinfecting the area multiple times daily.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Strong need for civil society involvement in oil and gas sector THE importance of and need for strong civil society involvement in the monitoring and consultations over the oil and gas sector, to ensure that the average Guyanese benefits, was emphasised by economist, Dr. Desmond Thomas, during a virtual panel discussion last Tuesday.

Organised by University of Guyana (UG) Growth in a Resource-abundant Economy and Environment (GREEN) Institute, the panel discussion was a follow up to an earlier presentation by UCLA Professor, Michael Ross, which focused on “The Resource Curse and Democracy: Lessons for Guyana”.

“The disconnect between production of oil and experience of persons in different sectors is at the heart of the issue of the resource curse. The only hope is that we have a better experience with economic and social policy,” Thomas noted, as he underscored the need for civil society involvement.

“Our civil society needs to be better organised, better formalised in representing the interest of citizens. In this regard

Environment, natural resource and development economist, Dr. Timothy Laing the Guyanese social landscape is dominated by too far an extent the political parties,” he further added.

A former Lead Economics Specialist at the Inter-American Development Bank in Washington DC, Thomas was the first speaker among a panel that also included Senior Lecturer in the Department of Government and International at UG/Berbice Campus, Dr. Rishi Thakur; Institute of Gender Studies Director, Dr. Pauline Bullen; along with Senior Lecturer in Economics at the University of Brighton, Dr. Timothy Laing.

Thomas noted that with Guyana having an abun-

dance of natural resources such as gold, bauxite, and manganese, this will not be the first time the country is involved in exploiting natural resources, notwithstanding being in a different sector.

Nonetheless, the economy has struggled over the years to rise out of being a developing country. As such the powers that be must strongly consider how oil and gas sectors have been handled by other countries.

“This is not a new topic. It is important for us not to repeat the mistake of others. Yet given the weaknesses such as political instability and weak institutions we may be set up to experience the worst effects of the resource curse,” Thomas posited The “Resource Curse” is a term used to describe situations experienced by countries rich in natural resources, where despite the abundance of resources the wealth is not reflected in the economic growth or development of the nations.

Dr. Laing during his presentation noted that this will not be the first time that Guyana will be overlooking large sums

of money, referencing the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund whereby Guyana received receive up to US$250 million from Norway.

“Based on the Norwegian money, Guyana had tremendous problems spending that money on anything worthwhile.

If the government can’t spend the [oil] money on anything productive what does that mean for the Guyanese population,” Dr. Laing questioned.

Guyana first discovered oil in 2015, when ExxonMobil had its first significant oil find at the Liza-one well, which began its first production in December 2019. Since the first discovery, Exxon has since struck 15 other discoveries, with an estimated 8 billion barrels.

This year, Guyana sold its first lift of oil for $11.4 billion (US$55 million), while the second lift sold for approximately US$35 million.

Notwithstanding falling oil prices due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and incomplete general and regional elections, Guyana’s economy was projected to still grow by as much as 51.7 per cent, according to

Economist Dr. Desmond Thomas World Bank projections.

“Yet if you ask the teacher, nurse, minibus driver, ask them how they are doing in 2020 they will probably tell you they are not experiencing any major increase,” Thomas stressed.

He added that: “A major point is that the channel by which a country typically benefits from oil resource exploitation is via the government.

Higher revenue for the government and enhanced role for the government. It has negative implications for weakened democratic institutions, increased corruption, nepotism and people spending money that seems to come easy. [This] can have a negative impact

on the overall results.”

Bridging of that divide would need institutional strengthening, beginning with reform of the electoral system.

Thakur, during his presentation, added to Thomas’ presentation on the need for institutional strengthening.

“Our public institutions are in a terrible mess and we need to treat with them urgently. I want to place emphasis on the weakness of our political institutions. Increasingly it is hard for any citizen to have any hope that our public institutions are fair in the services they provide,” Thakur stated.

Bullen, during her presentation, noted the need for the populace to empower itself to ensure that the citizens are the primary beneficiaries of the proceeds of the oil wealth.

“How do we get nationwide equity in a system where persons have trouble adapting the principle that I am my sister’s keeper. How do people accepting a status quo empower themselves to effect policy and planning reforms?” she asked.

Teen wanted for murder

POLICE are still on the hunt for 18-year-old Timothy Evans, who is wanted for the murder of his West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, neighbour.

On May 1, 2020, Florence Forte, 56, was allegedly shot in her left eye by Evans, during a shootout.

The Guyana Chronicle had

reported that, on the day in question, around 01:30hrs, Forte was inside her West Ruimveldt house when she heard a commotion between her two neighbours, Brian Wiltshire and Timothy Evans.

Wiltshire had witnessed Evans stealing a motorcycle from his friend. He then took his friend to Evans’ home in or-

der to recover the motorcycle.

On their arrival, Evans came out of his house armed with a firearm and began shooting.

Wiltshire was shot in the region of the right chest. Forte, who lived opposite Evans, exited her house to see what the commotion was about and was shot to her left eye.

The woman and Wiltshire were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where they were examined by doctors. Forte succumbed to her injuries.

The police are still on the hunt for Evans.

The Guyana Police Force has since issued a wanted bulletin for the arrest of Evans.

Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Timothy Evans is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 226-1389, 227-2128, 226-7476, 2267065, 227-9271, 227-1611, 227-1149, 227-1270, 2256940-9, 225-3650, 226-1928, 911 or the nearest police station.

Wanted: Timothy Evans

GNBS hosts virtual training courses THE Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has planned to hold several virtual training courses throughout the remainder of 2020.

According to a post on its facebook page, on June 25, the Bureau will begin a course on the Introduction to Metrology.

Metrology is the study of measurements

and participants will be provided with information regarding its importance, as well as applications, and the necessity for accuracy and calibration.

The beneficiaries of courses include those who work in Industry that deals with calibration and measurements, as well as persons whose interests include measurements and calibration.

The Bureau is also targeting laboratory personnel, managers and supervisors of businesses and organisations and quality managers.

According to the Bureau, training is critical as it relates to developing and enhancing the staff’s capacity in an organisation.

During the year, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards has been involved in training

with several organisations, including certifying officers of the Guyana Police Force, in the area of metrology.

Interested persons are asked to make contact with the Bureau’s Business Support Services Department to find out how to register by emailing bss@gnbsgy.org or calling 219-0064-0066 ext. 233.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Teen killed, brother injured in Enmore hit-and-run 16-year-old Sheldon Major, who is now deceased, and his 14-year-old brother, Christopher Pollard, who is in a stable condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), were, on Sunday evening, returning home from their grandmother’s residence, when they were struck down by a motorcar on the Enmore Public Road, around 19:00hrs.

The now dead teen was scheduled to write the upcoming Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination The Guyana Chronicle was made to understand that the events leading up to the accident are still unknown, as well as the particulars of the vehicle and the driver.

The ranks, who arrived at the scene of the accident, noted that one of the teens was motionless on the northern edge of the road, while the other individual was in a semi-conscious state on the grass parapet.

The teens were subsequently rushed to the hospital by ranks. Major was pronounced dead on arrival while Pollard was admitted.

As the investigations are ongoing, the police are appealing to the public for any information that will allow them to trace the vehicle involved and apprehend the driver.

Injured: Christopher Pollard

Dead: Sheldon Major

on

us

17

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 24, 2020

NICIL says finance minister never selected investors for land sale

– land transactions being completed to assist cash-strapped GuySuCo THE National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) has rejected claims that Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, signed off on documents for the transferal of land.

The accusations against the minister was being circulated on Facebook and was titled, “APNU+AFC engaged in large-scale corruption … as Winston Jordan signed off on the transferal of land …”

“We wish to state clearly that the Minister of Finance, Hon. Winston Jordan, had no involvement in the selection of the investors, is not a member of the NICIL Board, nor is he involved in the dayto-day business of NICIL or the SPU (Special Purpose Unit),” said NICIL in a press statement.

The company reminded the public that through the SPU, they sold lands that were vested to it by the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

NICIL received deposits for the lands commencing

December 2019, however, the transactions remained incomplete since the vesting orders were not ‘signed and gazetted’ as required by law and this meant that the remaining sums could not be paid over by the investors.

The need for expediency in the payments for land, however, arose after the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) made public its financial crisis.

It was reported that the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and other prevailing national conditions have rendered the national treasury incapable of providing a bailout to the “cash-strapped” GuySuCo, but all hope is not lost, as the company is expected to benefit from $1.5 billion, paid to NICIL for the sale of land.

Following GuySuCo’s recent request to the government for a bailout, NICIL was approached to assist the company.

“By now, the public must be aware that a $30 Billion bond backed by NICIL’s

assets and guaranteed by the Government of Guyana was secured through NICIL to retrofit and revitalise GUYSUCO. We wish to remind too, that from July 2018 to February 2020, NICIL has disbursed $9,720,759,568 to GUYSUCO to fund its Capital and Operational Expenditure,” said NICIL. In a letter to President Granger on May 15, close to a month ago, Chairman of GuySuCo’s Board of Directors, John Dow, said the sugar corporation was in a “dire financial crisis” with billions in debt, and insufficient finances to execute critical factory maintenance.

“Despite improvements in the productivity of cane, GuySuCo’s sugar production for the last two crops has fallen short of expectations and the current COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the problems experienced in meeting the first crop 2020 production targets. As result, the cash generated from operations cannot meet

Cop succumbs to injuries sustained during motorcycle accident POLICE Constable Navindra Jodhan, 30, died at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation at around 11:30 hrs on Tuesday.

Jodhan, who was attached to the Central Police Station in New Amsterdam, Berbice never regained consciousness after he crashed his motorcycle into a pedal cyclist on June 14, 2020 on the Number 68 Public Road.

The accident had resulted in the death of 47-yearold Malchand Ramdanny, called “Rasta”, of Number 69 Village.

On the day in question, Jodhan was part of a biker crew that traverses the Corentyne highway on Sundays at a fast rate of speed.

According to a Police report, around 16:20hrs on June 14, 2020, Ramdanny was proceeding north on the western side of the road

on his bicycle ahead of the motorcycle when he unexpectedly made a turn into the path of the motorcycle.

The said motorcycle was a short distance behind a motorcar travelling at a fast rate of speed, when the motorcar passed the pedal cyclist, who made a sudden turn into the path of the motorcycle in an attempt to cross the road.

The impact of the collision sent the pedal cyclist flying several feet into the air, and he landed in the centre of the western lane of the public road, approximately 20 metres away.

The motorcyclist lost control and fell off the bike as it collided with a signboard, and ended up on the edge of the road parapet.

Both men were picked up and taken to the Skeldon Hospital, where Ramdanny was pronounced dead on arrival.

The 30-year-old po-

Navindra Jodhan liceman was said to have served the Guyana Police Force for over six years.

His wife, Jacquelyn Lindie, was barely able to control her emotions as she described him as a “genuinely caring and thoughtful” individual.

“He suffered a brainstem bleed, and never regained consciousness.

We were hoping for a miracle, and never gave up hope,” she said.

the ‘outgoings’ particularly when external funding has been difficult to obtain,” Dow said as he painted a vivid picture of the financial challenges facing the sugar industry.

GuySuCo’s condition could dwindle even further if “crucial creditors” are paid, said Dow, noting that if the corporation takes this recourse the company would be out of cash before the second week of June.

“It is also common knowledge that GuySuCo and the bond holders were in the process of ironing out some matters so that

further disbursements could be had. But NICIL, having recognised the urgency of the request, sought to complete the land transactions. It therefore became necessary to regularise the Vesting Orders,” said NICIL. The company assured that along with government, they are committed to safeguarding the livelihood of the sugar workers and the industry.

In referring to the condition of the sugar corporation, President David Granger had said, “it is very unfortunate we are in this position.

Throughout the tenure, we

have been engaged in trying to resolve the issue of the industry.”

“We have done everything possible to return the industry to normalcy and even profitability…we will continue to help and not send anybody home…we want an efficient sugar industry which can produce sugar at competitive prices,” said President Granger.

The idea is to compete with Brazil, Cuba and other “heavy” sugar producers, but in order for Guyana to do that, the industry needs to be economically viable and feasible.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 24, 2020

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 24, 2020

19

Gayle opts out of CPL 2020 owing to personal reasons

By Nagraj Gollapudi

CHRIS Gayle has opted out of the 2020 CPL a day before the players’ draft is scheduled to take place today.

The tournament this year is scheduled to take place in Trinidad & Tobago from August 18 until September 10 subject to permission from the local government.

ESPNcricinfo understands Gayle communicated his decision on Monday to St Lucia Zouks, the franchise he was going to play for in this CPL, saying he would not be available to play due to personal reasons.

Gayle’s decision was confirmed by the Zouks franchise.

It is understood that in his email Gayle pointed out that due to the lockdown, he has not been able to meet his family and his young child who are in St Kitts while he has been in Jamaica. Gayle said he needed a break and wanted to spend time with his young family.

Gayle signed up with Zouks in April after acrimonious fallout with Jamaica Tallawahs, where he had returned in 2019 for a second stint. The Zouks would have been the third team Gayle would represent in the CPL after two stints with Tallawahs (2013-16 and 2019) and a two-year stay with St Kitts and Nevis (2017-18).

The Zouks franchise saw a change in ownership this February after it was bought

by KPH Dream Cricket Private Limited, which also owns Kings XI Punjab in the IPL. The franchise also made changes to the coaching staff, appointing former Zimbabwe captain Andy Flower as the head coach.

Gayle’s abrupt decision is understood to have disrupted Zouks’ plans for the players’ draft, which will be conducted virtually for the first time due to the travel restrictions imposed by countries to arrest the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Zouks signed up Gayle as one of the marquee players outside the draft in the US$130 000 – US$160 000 price bracket. In his absence, the franchise is likely to get the first pick at the draft now.

It is not clear whether Gayle’s decision was influenced by the pay cut proposed by the CPL in the wake of the pandemic. In an update sent recently to all stakeholders, the CPL operations manager Michael Hall said top-earning players would be asked to take a pay cut of up to 30% compared to the 2019 contract.

In Gayle’s case, he would have received about $112 000 after the 30% proposed cut from the Zouks.

It is understood that players and staff from all the six franchises have accepted the pay cuts although the CPL has not sent out any details.

Gayle is 40, but had said he desires to play until he is 45. Despite being the highest run-maker in T20s, Gayle has struggled with consistency in the past few years.

Last CPL, he aggregated 243 runs in 10 matches including a century as the Tallawahs, along with the Zouks, failed to make the play-off stage.

Gayle has also not featured for West Indies since the 2019 World Cup. In May, Gayle had escaped sanctions from the CPL after his public outburst against Tallawahs’ management, including its owner Krish Persaud, Jeff Miller, the chief executive and former West Indies teammate Ramnaresh Sarwan who was the assistant coach, for abruptly releasing him without his knowledge.

In a video he released on YouTube on April 27, Gayle pulled up Sarwan for playing a “big part” in his release and blamed Persaud and Miller for “playing games” with him.

While Gayle accepted to the CPL Tournament Committee that his actions would have brought “damage” to the tournament brand as well as Cricket West Indies, he stood by his original “comments” against Sarwan and the Tallawahs’ management.

Gayle has been an integral force behind CPL becoming a global brand. It was his desire to finish his career in front of his home crowd in Jamaica and hence he had signed up as a marquee player in a three-year contract with the Tallawahs at the 2019 draft.

“It was my greatest wish to finish my CPL career in Jamaica - playing in front of my home crowd at Sabina Park with the franchise that I had previously led to two CPL titles,” Gayle said in his statement in May. Asked for a comment, a CPL spokesperson said that the organisers understood Gayle’s decision. “We understand that Chris has decided to not take part in CPL for personal reasons. We wish Chris all the best for the rest of 2020 and hope to see him back at CPL in 2021.” (ESPN Cricinfo)

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 24, 2020

How T20 World Cup move could reshape Aussie summer TEST captain Tim Paine says he’s “not fussed” by speculation the COVID-19 pandemic might force a change to Cricket Australia’s published schedule of Test matches this summer but remains hopeful an inaugural meeting with Afghanistan goes ahead.

Rashid Khan’s Afghanistan have been scheduled to meet Australia for the first time in Test cricket in the summer’s opening Test match, a daynight affair at Perth Stadium, listed to begin November 21.

“Any time we can get someone like Afghanistan out to Australia and help develop cricket in countries like that is a great opportunity,” Paine said today.

“Fingers crossed that one gets up and running, but everyone is thoroughly looking forward to the challenge India will bring.

“Certainly, Afghanistan will bring some different challenges with all their mystery spin as well. So looks like it will be a really challenging Test summer.”

It’s shaping just as challenging off the field, with COVID-19 causing uncertainty for cricket fixtures around the globe and things may yet change.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to make a decision next month on this year’s men’s T20 World Cup and if that event – scheduled to be played in Australia between October 18 and November 15 – is postponed as is widely expected it could start a chain reaction of reshuffled international fixtures.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is likely to fill the void left by the T20 World Cup and, depending on when that tournament ends, with reports it could run as late as November

8, it would leave little leeway for Afghanistan to assemble a Test team and meet all of the yet-to-be-determined quarantine and biosecurity measures.

Likewise, the Australians participating in this year’s IPL – with David Warner, Steve Smith and Pat Cummins among the 17 Aussies contracted for this year’s tournament that hold contracts worth a collective A$17.145 million – would also need to obey quarantine restrictions on their return from abroad.

With COVID-19 relatively under control in WA, the state government yesterday announced plans to allow full-capacity crowds from July 18, meaning up to 60 000 fans could attend games at Perth Stadium while stronger restrictions are enforced around the rest of the country.

With the BCCI unwilling to extend this summer’s Border-Gavaskar series beyond four Tests this summer – although a five-Test series hosted in India for their subsequent

look back to the last time we played a Test against India at the Perth Stadium, I thought that was one of the great Test matches to watch.

“Given both sides’ pace attacks, either of those would be enthralling for spectators and TV audiences, both exciting prospects.

“But that decision is out of my hands; that’s for sure.”

Pressed to make a choice, Paine joked his choice would be Blundstone Arena in Hobart, the home ground where

The Aussies are unbeaten at the Gabba since 1988

The Western Australian Cricket Association were already unhappy at having been scheduled to host Afghanistan instead of India, and could argue to have the four-Test series schedule re-drawn, with contractual obligations guaranteeing the Perth Stadium a Test each, or significant compensation instead.

meeting is likely – the Australian players could yet lose out on their desire to open the series at their Gabba stronghold.

“I’m not too fussed,” Paine said today of the issue. “I think both of those wickets are excellent Test wickets. The Gabba has been for a very, very long time.

“And you only have to

the Test captain has yet to represent his country, but in the past Paine has made no secret of Australia’s desire to start their summer in Brisbane.

“That’s where we like to start our summer and it has been for a long, long time except for (the 2018-19) summer (when India last toured), “ Paine said in the wake of last

summer’s Gabba Test.

“We like to start here against anyone. Having said that,, it doesn’t win us games of cricket. The reason we win games of cricket at the Gabba is because we outplay our opposition.

“That doesn’t change dependent on the venue … but certainly we enjoy playing here which allows you to settle into games a little bit quicker.”

Paine on merits of facing India in Perth or at the Gabba Australia are unbeaten at the Gabba since 1988, when they were rolled by the great West Indies team of that era, and have now gone 31 Tests at the venue without a loss.

“We can’t wait to come to the Gabba, knowing that Australian sides play well and win a lot of Test matches here,” Paine said previously.

“It’s where we traditionally like to start so it feels like the Australian summer when you get together and get out on the Gabba.

“It’s a great place for us to play – the wicket suits Australian sides really well so to start here is fantastic and the boys are really looking forward to it.”

Other implications of the T20 World Cup moving would likely see Australia’s three-match T20 series with the West Indies in Queensland in early October postponed, while a mid-October threegame T20 series with India could be accommodated later in the summer.

If the India team joined the Australians in returning to serve their quarantine immediately after the IPL, those T20s could be played in lieu of the Afghanistan Test in late November before the Border-Gavaskar Test series.

The fluidity of fixtures

amid the coronavirus pandemic was highlighted when Paine fielded questions, six months before the Boxing Day Test is scheduled to be played, about moving the fixture away from the MCG given the new outbreak of COVID-19 cases in the city.

“Given the current circumstances I dare say everything is on the table,” Paine said.

“We’re hopeful that everywhere we play come summertime will be able to have crowds. How big they are we don’t know.

“It’s a difficult one to answer because there is so much changing week to week, day to day. Given three or four months, we just don’t know what it’s going to look like.

“From a players’ point of view, we want to be playing in front of big crowds at the best venues.

“A big day like Boxing Day is something everyone looks forward to, and a big part of that is playing at the MCG. “Fingers crossed things are going well enough we can do that, but we’re spoilt for choice here in Australia with some world-class stadiums, so if something had to change, we’ve got plenty of options.”

Longest Test undefeated streaks by venue: National Cricket Stadium, Karachi Pakistan: 34 matches 1955-2000 The Gabba, Brisbane Australia: 31 matches 1988-2020* Kensington Oval, Bridgetown West Indies: 27 matches 1948-1993 Old Trafford, Manchester England: 25 matches 19051954 Sabina Park, Kingston West Indies: 19 matches 1958-1989. (Cricket.com.au)

Burnley condemn ‘White Lives Matter’ flyover banner

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - A plane carrying a banner declaring ‘White Lives Matter Burnley’ flew over Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium on Monday at the start of the Premier League game against Burnley.

The plane appeared shortly after players from both teams took a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. There was no indication who had organised the plane and banner.

Burnley issued a statement at halftime during the game saying the club “strongly condemns” the actions and adding that they will work with authorities to identify

those behind the move and issue lifetime bans.

All of the players in the 12 Premier League games since the restart of the season after the COVID-19 stoppage have worn ‘Black Lives Matter’ on their shirts in place of their names.

This follows the league formally joining the international protest campaign sparked by the death last month of George Floyd, a Black man, while in Minneapolis police custody.

Burnley said: “The club has a proud record of working with all genders, religions and faiths through its award-winning Community scheme, and stands against

racism of any kind.

“We are fully behind the Premier League’s Black Lives Matter initiative and,

kick-off at Manchester City.

“We apologise unreservedly to the Premier League, to Manchester City

The banner is flown over Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium on Monday evening during their Premier League clash with Burnley

in line with all other Premier League games undertaken since Project Restart, our players and football staff willingly took the knee at

and to all those helping to promote Black Lives Matter,” the Lancashire club said.

Burnley captain Ben Mee

said after the game, which his side lost 5-0, that the players had heard whispers that something may have been planned and that he was embarrassed by the scene.

“As we were coming out we heard some whispers that it was going to happen.

The club tried to stop it. I’ve heard it is a small number that have arranged this and I hope it doesn’t happen again,” he said.

“I am ashamed and embarrassed that a small number of our fans have decided to fly that around the stadium. It is not what we are about. They have missed what we are trying to achieve,” said Mee, who

began his career with City.

“These people need to come into the 21st century and educate themselves.

They don’t represent what we are about, the club is about, the players are about and the majority of fans are about.

“I’ve heard it is a small number that have arranged this and I hope it doesn’t happen again. I don’t want to associate it with my club.

I don’t want to see this in the game.

“It is not right. We totally condemn it. These people can learn and be taught what Black Lives Matter is trying to achieve.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 24, 2020

BCB, RHTYSC MS make donation to Cricket Development in West Berbice “AS president of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), I have a policy that every sub-area would benefit equally, whether they voted for my administration or not.

“The goal is to make sure that every talent is properly developed, so that overall structure of Berbice cricket is strong. All five sub-areas - West Berbice, Upper Corentyne, Central/Lower Corentyne, New Amsterdam/Canje and Berbice River - would continue to benefit from the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) as long as I am president,” Those were the words of BCB president Hilbert Foster as he handed over a donation of ten scorebooks, a cricket law book and one hundred youth development booklets, valued at over $100 000, to the West Berbice Cricket Association (WBCA).

Foster, who was re-elected to the BCB presidency in December, 2019 by a 31-0 vote, disclosed that cricketers, clubs, schools and sub-associations have benefited from millions of dollars’ worth of items over the last two and a half years.

The donated items included stumps, cricket gear, cricket balls, coaching equipment, scorebooks, weather

BCB president Hilbert Foster hands over donation to Javed Karim of West Berbice

Seven more Pakistan players tested positive for COVID-19 SEVEN more Pakistan players have tested positive for coronavirus, taking the total to 10.

However, players who have tested negative will depart for the tour of England on June 28.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief executive Wasim Khan said: “The tour to England is very much on track and the side will depart as per schedule.”

Pakistan are due to meet England in three Tests and three Twenty20s, beginning in August.

Speaking when only three cases were known, England director of cricket Ashley Giles said: “We’re hopeful that Pakistan will be arriving fairly soon.

“We’re far enough away from the Test series to not worry about that too much at the moment.”

Haider Ail, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan showed no symptoms before testing positive on Sunday.

They have now been joined

by Fakhar Zaman, Imran Khan, Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan and Wahab Riaz, along with team masseur Malang Ali, after further tests were carried out on Monday.

All 11 individuals have been told to observe “strict quarantine at their homes”.

The players and management staff who have tested negative will still meet up today, undergo further testing tomorrow, and depart for the UK as planned. They will be tested again within 24 hours of their

arrival.

Players who have tested positive will have to return two negative tests before they are allowed to travel.

Khan added: “The recent positive tests of some of the fittest athletes, who had not shown any symptoms, clearly reflect the danger this virus possesses.

Wahab Riaz

“As regards the players, who have tested positive, we will continue to monitor and support them, including conducting antibody tests, and as soon as they test negative they will be flown to join the squad in England.”

As of yesterday morning, there had been 185 034 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Pakistan, resulting in 3 695 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.

England’s matches this summer, beginning with three Tests against West Indies, are set to be played behind closed doors in bio-secure environments at South-

ampton and Old Trafford.

England’s 30-man training group arrived in Southampton yesterday to prepare for the series with West Indies, which starts on July 8.

Giles said: “The situation in Pakistan is not great at the moment and our thoughts go out to the whole country.

“All of this has uncertainty. We know how fast moving this has been around the world, so we have been very careful at every step.

Do we really know what is around the corner? No. “The bubble at Southampton and Old Trafford, we are trying to create environments that mitigate as much risk as we possibly can.”

Pakistan named a 29-man squad for the tour, with four additional players put on standby in case of positive tests.

Before the news of the seven additional positive tests, Giles said he did not think the tour would be placed in further jeopardy by more confirmed cases.

“We are still far enough out even if a number of those tests are still positive,” he said.

“There are a number of hurdles to cross. We’re hopeful that we can get international sport on. It will be a real fillip for people around the world.”

Meanwhile, New Zealand’s two-Test tour of Bangladesh, which was scheduled for August, has been postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

(BBC Sport)

coats, trophies, cricket uniforms, medals, educational materials, school bags, bicycles.

Noting that the majority of clubs struggle to keep their heads above water due to the high cost of playing the game, Foster recommitted the BCB to assisting as much as possible.

The scorebooks would be distributed to the active clubs in the Sub-Association while the hundred youth development booklets would be given to clubs that have junior cricket teams.

The MCC Laws of Cricket would be the property of the WBCA, to assist the Association in the development of the game. Under Foster’s leadership, the BCB has invested heavily in the development of the game in West Berbice.

Several cricket tournaments have been organised by the board for clubs in the sub-associations while they have also played in over 40 tournaments countywide.

Clubs in the sub-association have also received balls, stumps, water pitchers, bicycles, educational posters etc.

The BCB has also assisted in the hosting of several cricket academies in the area.

21

Fit-again Archer hopes to play all three Tests against Windies

(REUTERS) - England paceman Jofra Archer says he has fully recovered from a right elbow injury sustained earlier this year and hopes to play in all three Tests against the West Indies next month.

Pacer Jofra Archer has fully recovered from a right elbow injury

Barbados-born Archer’s injury had ruled him out of England’s tour of Sri Lanka and the Indian Premier League (IPL) before both were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This past fortnight has been a lot different from the previous few weeks of

practice as the intensity when you introduce batters goes up without you even noticing,” Archer wrote in his column here for the Daily Mail.

“So far everything feels like clockwork. Crunch in, crunch out, my body feels fresh, and there are no issues with my right elbow whatsoever, touch wood.”

The first Test is scheduled to begin in Southampton on July 8, with the last two matches at Old Trafford, as international cricket returns from the coronavirus shutdown.

“Despite the fact that the three matches of this series are played in such a short space of time ... I could play all three - but everyone will be a bit cautious in terms of workload, thinking about the body and what lies ahead,” Archer added. “... Bowling has been a gradual progression but despite the fact that I was resting my elbow injury when we went into lockdown in March, I have followed similar loads to the other England Test bowlers.”

Being 20 points ahead of this Man City side was unthinkable, says Klopp

Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino celebrates scoring their second goal against Crystal Palace (REUTERS/Phil)

(REUTERS) - Liverpool boss Juergen Klopp says he is amazed that they are 20 points ahead of a strong Manchester City squad but that he is not focussed on whether Pep Guardiola’s side can catch up in the Premier League title race.

Klopp said he watched City beat Burnley 5-0 on Monday and marvelled at their dominance as Guardiola made eight changes to the starting lineup to showcase their squad depth.

Liverpool are due to play City on July 2, after Guardiola’s side play Chelsea, and the title could be decided by then with seven games to go but Klopp said his sole focus was on today’s opponents, Crystal Palace.

“What I realised when I watched the game last night

was how is it possible that any team is 20 points ahead of this team, that’s unthinkable,” Klopp told reporters in a virtual news conference.

“We must have, obviously, done a couple of things really well and right. But no, I don’t think about whether City can catch us, I think about Crystal Palace ... I’m only concerned about what we are doing in the next game and not what City are doing.

“I watch them because we play them in nine days, not for hoping that they lose. I wanted them to lose last year against Leicester (City) but that didn’t work really well so that’s why I stopped doing that.”

City pipped Liverpool to the title last season by a single point and the turning

point was a hard-fought 1-0 win over Leicester City in their penultimate game.

Palace were the last team to win a league match at Anfield back in 2017 and Roy Hodgson’s side come into the contest on the back of a fourmatch winning run.

“Roy is doing an incredible job there,” Klopp said. “The organisation of the team is really at the highest level; the team is physically strong with a good setup.

“They’ve had four games in a row without conceding a goal. It’s all positive from their point of view but we have our own targets.”

Klopp confirmed Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson were back in contention but James Milner and Joel Matip would not be available.

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Djokovic tests positive for COVID-19 … says ‘extremely sorry’ to others

By Zoran Milosavljevic BELGRADE, Serbia (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic, the men’s world number one tennis player, tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday and then apologised to all individuals who contracted the virus after playing in an exhibition tournament he organised in Serbia and Croatia.

Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria, Croatia’s Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki have previously tested positive after playing in Djokovic’s Adria Tour exhibition tournament in the Balkan region.

Djokovic’s fitness coach Marco Panichi and Dimitrov’s coach Christian Groh have also tested positive.

“The moment we arrived in Belgrade we went to be tested,” Djokovic said in a statement yesterday, adding that he was not showing any symptoms. “My result is positive, just as Jelena’s (wife), while the results of our children are negative.

“I am extremely sorry for each individual case of infection. I hope that it will not complicate anyone’s

health situation and that everyone will be fine. I will remain in self-isolation for the next 14 days, and repeat the test in five days.”

Banja Luka, Bosnia and the planned exhibition match with Bosnian Damir Dzumhur in Sarajevo on July 5.

Serbia has 13 092 regis-

before the tournament and players were not obliged to observe social-distancing rules in either country.

The tournament witnessed

Grigor Dimitrov, Novak Djokovic, Dusan Lajovic, Dominic Thiem, Alexander Zverev pose for a photo with the ball-kids during Adria Tour at Novak Tennis Centre in Belgrade, Serbia, June 12, 2020 (REUTERS/Marko Djurica)

The organisers said that the remainder of the Adria Tour had been cancelled; the two-day event on July 3-4 in

tered cases and 263 dead due to the pandemic but both Serbia and Croatia eased lockdown measures weeks

packed stands during the opening leg in Belgrade, players hugging at the net, playing basketball, posing for pictures

and attending press conferences together.

Djokovic, 33, organised nights out in Belgrade for the players. Pictures and videos of him dancing with the other participants at his event were posted on social media.

“Prayers up to all the players that have contracted COVID-19,” said Nick Kyrgios, retweeting a video of the players dancing shirtless in Belgrade.

“Don’t @ me for anything I’ve done that has been ‘irresponsible’ or classified as ‘stupidity’ - this takes the cake,” said the temperamental Australian, who was placed on probation by the men’s ATP Tour over his behaviour last year.

PROFESSIONAL CIRCUIT The professional circuit was halted in early March as nations closed borders and imposed lockdowns to contain the spread of the virus.

Last week the ATP and the women’s WTA issued revised calendars for the resumption of the circuit from August while organisers of the U.S. Open said the Grand Slam will be staged without fans as scheduled

from August 31 to September 13 in New York.

The ATP said on Monday that “it continued to urge strict adherence to responsible social distancing and health and safety guidelines to contain the spread of the virus”.

“In planning for the resumption ... ATP and other stakeholders have made exhaustive plans to mitigate risks through a variety of precautions and protocols to be implemented at ATP events,” the men’s governing body said, adding they will adjust protocols aligning with latest health guidelines.

Djokovic, who earlier said he faces a dilemma if a vaccine becomes compulsory for players to compete when tennis resumes, insisted that the idea behind his tournament was to raise funds for players in need.

“Everything we did in the past month, we did with a pure heart and sincere intentions,” said Djokovic, who is also the head of the players council of the men’s ATP Tour.

“Our tournament meant to unite and share a message of solidarity and compassion throughout the region.”

Long-suffering Liverpool fans get Grand National-winning jockey ready to celebrate league title Liam Treadwell dies aged 34

By Philip O’Connor

(REUTERS) - When Liverpool finally get their hands on the league title again after a 30-year wait, the COVID-19 crisis has ensured the celebrations are going to look a lot different to the joyous scenes that greeted their last success.

Regardless of whether they eventually win it at home or away, the celebrations that marked their Anfield victory over Queens Park Rangers that won the league in 1990 will not be repeated.

With games currently taking place behind closed doors and large gatherings

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prohibited, fans will have to find novel ways of marking the occasion.

“For many of us, this has been a party that has been three decades in the making, so everyone has their own idea of what they plan to do,” Liverpool fan and co-founder of The Anfield Wrap podcast Gareth Roberts told Reuters.

“Some have a special cigar that they’re going to smoke, or a bottle of champagne or wine that they’ve been saving all these years that they’re going to crack open.

“There’s another lad who said he just wants to

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

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sit in a tree and watch the world go by with Liverpool as champions!” he added.

Instead, he and his fellow Swedish Liverpool fans will get together in the city of Gothenburg where he now lives to watch the remaining matches. “ We h a v e b o o k e d a beer-tasting the night Liverpool play City, so hopefully they can win it then,” the jovial 60-year-old told Reuters with a laugh.

“Either way, we’ll be all-in!”

Liverpool hold a 20-point lead over second-placed Manchester City with eight games of the campaign remaining.

If they beat Crystal Palace at home today, they could wrap up the title as early as tomorrow, providing City drop points at Chelsea.

Roberts said that fans all over the world have been in touch with him to talk about how they will toast the team when the long title drought ends.

Among the fans eager to celebrate is Sweden’s ex-Liverpool defender Glenn Hysen, who played in the last league-winning Reds team.

He had planned to be in England in his capacity as ambassador for Sweden’s Liverpool fans, but those plans were scuppered by travel restrictions due to the virus.

Liam Treadwell rode more than 300 winners during his career

JOCKEY Liam Treadwell, who rode 100-1 shot Mon Mome to win the 2009 Grand National at Aintree, has died aged 34.

Treadwell returned to the saddle after initially retiring from professional riding in February 2018.

Tributes have poured in from the racing world. A cause of death has not been announced.

“We’re deeply saddened to hear about the passing of 2009 Grand National-winning jockey Liam Treadwell,” said an Aintree Racecourse Twitter post.

“Our sincere condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time!”

It was one of the famous race’s biggest shocks when Treadwell triumphed on Mon Mome for trainer Venetia Williams.

Sussex-born Treadwell landed the ride after Aidan Coleman opted to ride stablemate Stan.

Treadwell, who was also third in the 2015 National on Monbeg Dude, rode 10 winners during the 2019-20 season, all for Shropshire-based trainer Alastair Ralph.

Big wins in the jockey’s career included the Byrne

Group Plate on Carrickboy at the Cheltenham Festival in 2013 and the Grand Sefton Handicap Chase at Aintree with Bennys Mist two years later.

A statement from West Mercia Police said officers were called to an address in Billingsley, near Bridgnorth, Shropshire, following the death of a man.

“The death is currently being treated as unexplained. However, at this stage there is believed to be no third-party involvement,” said the statement.

(BBC Sport)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 24, 2020

23

Fitness enthusiast Theodore Henry to launch Boot Camp-style programme

By Rawle Toney

HE was known as one of the most-feared inside-centre and prop players in the Caribbean during his rugby days, but now Theodore Henry is transferring that energy into getting people in shape; calling it COVFIT-19.

What started as a casual workout for him and close friends to stay in shape during the COVID-19 pandemic, has blossomed into full-blown Boot Camp-like training, attracting scores of persons from around the city and even further afield – those who are desirous of using a rigorous work-out to stay fit.

The dreadlock-wearing fitness enthusiast and head coach for the country’s National Sevens Rugby team, said COVFIT-19, a term he crafted to stay fit during the Coronavirus pandemic, has now spiralled into something he hopes will drive the nation to staying fit and healthy.

“Officially I want to launch a fitness club where I will be targeting the various sporting teams to come and get their fitness levels to an elite standard. I will also be doing personal training, group sessions for persons who are trying to lose a bit of weight or burn some fat,” said Henry.

Asked about the response so far, he pointed out it has been “alarming and growing daily, but right now I have been trying to keep it to a minimum

because of the COVID-19 situation. Every week I have about two-to-three new persons joining.”

At present, he added, because of the pandemic, training is only done between 17:30hrs and 20:30hrs at D’Urban Park, and as soon as the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted or permitted, evening sessions will be held.

Coaching Course and General Conditioning from the University of Physical Education in Budapest, Hungary.

Henry was the lone Guyanese at the course which saw 25 participants from over 14 countries and his participation was made possible by Guyana Olympic Association (GOA).

Back then, upon his return, he had told Chronicle Sport his

Theodore Henry - Fitness enthusiast and National 7s team head coach

In 2016, Henry joined USA’s Clint Smith and Kenya’s Bernard Ouma, who both averaged 4.93 out of five and graduated at the top of their class, following a three-month International

International Coaching and General Conditioning Diploma meant he can work with any sports team representing Guyana, and not just Rugby.

He also recently wrapped up his personal trainer cer-

tification and currently is working on being certified as a sports nutritionist.

Known for his integral role in helping Guyana to secure many regional titles as a player and coach, Theo, as he’s

that we were able to win six consecutive (regional) titles all due to fitness; I mean our skill level improved over the period of time which was superior to other teams, but our fitness made us more dominant.”

programme, you need a specific goal and I will scientifically design a programme to reach that goal. I will assist you with the nutritional part of it as well, so you’re going to get a complete package.

Rain? No problem. It’s clear that the weather doesn’t stop Theodore Henry during his workout programme

also popularly called, revealed that he had fallen in love with fitness during his playing days in rugby, adding “as most persons would know, we were one of the fittest teams in the Caribbean.

“Testimony is in the fact

Meanwhile, Henry has cautioned that if persons are thinking about joining his programme, they should be prepared to work hard, since he’s adamant that no shortcuts will be taken.

“If you’re coming to my

You’ll get the physical part as well as the guidance as it relates to the dos and don’ts in terms of food,” Henry said.

Interested persons can contact ‘Theo’ on telephone number 629-1403.

Tyson showing off explosive speed, power in new video MIKE Tyson posted a new training video on his social media site on Monday, and he’s looking even faster and more potent as he sharpens his game for his comeback.

The former heavyweight champion Tyson (50-6, 44 KOs), said, “Training smarter every day.”

The form that the 53-yearold Tyson showed in this brief video clip is going to create more believers among the boxing public that he’s capable of knocking off some of the top heavyweights of this era. Fans feel that Tyson is capable of a lot more than beating an old-timer like Shannon Briggs, Evander Holyfield, or Oliver McCall.

With Tyson, his confidence may get a massive boost

if he wipes out his opponent during his still yet-to-be-announced exhibition match.

57-year-old Evander Holyfield (44-10-2, 29 KOs) is training just as hard as Tyson with the idea of being his first opponent back. We’ll have to see if that match takes place first.

Just comparing the video clips of the two working out, Tyson looks to be fighting on a much higher level than Holyfield, but we don’t know about his stamina. With only brief clips being shown of Tyson, it’s impossible to tell if he’s gasping for breath and asking for a timeout immediately after throwing the shots.

In Tyson’s last two fights before retiring against Kevin McBride and Danny Wil-

liams, he looked good in the first round, but he couldn’t sustain the pace. Williams and

McBride took over the fight and forced an early stoppage against ‘Iron Mike.’

Mike Tyson seen in action

If nothing else, Mike Tyson’s training clips show a fighter that is behind what

we’re seeing from the top heavyweights in this era. In a way, Tyson is someone that has come out of frozen state, and he’s showing boxing fans how much better fighters like him are compared to the lacklustre heavyweights in this era.

“I know Tyson Fury rates himself as better than the heavyweights in the past, but in watching the real thing in Mike Tyson, you can’t believe him. Mike looks much better, and he would be a real threat to Fury if he were still in his prime.

Fans would like to see a full workout video of Tyson to see if he’s training in a sustained manner without needing to take it easy to go sit down. (Boxingnews)

PAGE 19

Chris Gayle spent the 2019 CPL with Jamaica Tallawahs (Ashley Allen, CPL T20/Getty)

opts out of CPL 2020 owing to personal reasons

Bucknor recalls two instances when judgement error led to Tendulkar’s dismissal STEVE Bucknor, the former umpire, feels that he ruled Sachin Tendulkar on a couple of instances when he should not have given him out. Bucknor was known as ‘Slow Death’ as he resorted to a long pause before raising his finger.

He has had his fair share of controversies as well after being called back midway from India’s 2007-08 tour of Australia following a protest from the BCCI.

went down the memory lane to India’s Test against Pakistan in 2005 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Sachin chased a swinging delivery from Abdul Razzaq and was given out. Replays showed that the ball hadn’t made any contact with the bat.

“To err is human. Tendulkar was given out on two different occasions when those were mistakes.

I do not think any umpire would want to do a wrong

Former Test umpire Steve Bucknor To start with, Bucknor recalled The Gabba Test in 2003 when Jason Gillespie rapped Sachin on the pads and the umpire raised his finger. But the leather seemed to have missed the leg-stump by quite some distance. However, it didn’t cost India the game as it was drawn after Sourav Ganguly’s 144.

Thereafter, Bucknor PAGE 22

no touch. But the match was at Eden Gardens and when you are at the Eden and India batting, you hear nothing. Because 100 000 spectators are making noise,” Bucknor said.

Bucknor was a tad unhappy, having made those mistakes and he understands that errors are part and parcel of life. “Those were the mistakes and I was unhappy. I am saying a human is going to make

Former Test batsman Sacin Tendulkar

thing, it lives with him and his future could be jeopardised,” Bucknor was quoted in the Mason & Guest programme.

“Once in Australia I gave him leg-before and the ball was going over the top, and another time in India, it was caught behind. The ball deviated after passing the bat but there was

mistakes and accepting mistakes are part of life,” he added.The Jamaican also heaped praises on Sachin, saying that the Master Blaster was one of the best batters he has seen in his entire life.

The 74-year-old said that Tendulkar stays oblivious of any chaos while he is batting in the middle.

(CricTracker)

MANCHESTER, England, Jun 23, CMC – Marquee batsmen Kraigg Brathwaite and Shai Hope struck half-centuries while fast bowler Alzarri Joseph impressed with a four-wicket haul, on Tuesday’s opening day of the first three-day warm-up match ahead of the opening Test against England.

Brathwaite top-scored with 84 while Hope carved out 83 as the XI, skippered

by Brathwaite, were dismissed for 275 at Old Trafford.

Roston Chase chipped in with 37 but John Campbell (0), Shamarh Brooks (17) and wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich, all of whom are expected to feature in the XI for the opening Test at Southampton, failed to build an innings.

Joseph was the best bowler for Jason Holder’s XI, claiming four for 60 while fast bowler Shannon Gabriel, handed the new ball, picked up three for 32 to enhance his claims for a place in the Test side.

Gabriel, playing his first competitive game since undergoing ankle surgery last December, removed Campbell for a 16-ball ‘duck’ in

in the middle.

Brathwaite had his offstump removed by seamer Kemar Roach just before tea taken at 176 for three, but Hope and Chase put on a further 72 for the fourth wicket before being separated.

Once the stand was broken, Brathwaite’s XI lost

the day’s sixth over, caught at mid on by Joseph attempting to pull.

And Brathwaite put on 40 for the second wicket with Brooks who counted three fours in a 49ball knock before edging a Gabriel lifter through to reserve keeper Joshua DaSilva.

Kraigg Brathwaite faced 162 balls for his top score of 84 their last seven wickets for just 51 runs as Joseph ran through the lower order.

The warm-up contest is being played among the 25-man travelling contingent, comprising the 14-member Test squad and 11 reserves.

Fixtures against county sides have been prohibited due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

On 54 for two at lunch, Hope and Brathwaite combined to add 103 in the afternoon session to ensure valuable time at the crease.

Brathwaite was dogged as usual, facing 162 balls in just under 3-¾ hours at the crease and striking nine fours.

For his part, Hope stroked 11 boundaries off 127 deliveries in four hours

Djokovic tests positive for COVID-19

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2020