‘Positive, frank’ discussions held with EU team – Jagdeo

The European Union (EU) played an important role in the effort to stave off the attempt of the former APNU+AFC Coalition to steal the March 2020 General and Regional Elections and undermine the will of the Guyanese people, according to General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Bharrat Jagdeo.

And at his news conference on Thursday (May 25, 2023), held at Freedom House, Robb Street, he charged that a recent meeting with the European Union (EU) Election Observer Mission (EOM) Follow-up Mission to Guyana saw “open, positive and frank” discussions.

Javier Nart, Member of the European Parliament, led the visiting delegation from the European Union (EU) Election Observer Mission (EOM) Follow-up Mission to Guyana. Also part of the EU team were: Alexander Matus, Electoral Expert; Anne Marlborough, Legal Expert; and Evelina Melbarzde, Deputy Head of Delegation of the EU in Guyana.

Vice President, Hon. Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, on Wednesday (May 24, 2023), engaged Mr Javier Nart, Member of the European Parliament, who led the visiting delegation from the European Union (EU) Election Observer Mission (EOM) Follow-up Mission to Guyana. Also part of the meeting were: Mr. Alexander Matus, Electoral Expert; Ms. Anne Marlborough, Legal Expert; and Ms. Evelina Melbarzde, Deputy Head of Delegation of the EU in Guyana

Jagdeo explained that while there is still work to do, much has been accomplished. “There were about 50 things that could be abused, which were things that a Chief Elections Officer of a Return Officer could exercise discretion on, and we closed these gaps…we went further that the EU recommended,” he said.

Notably, the European

Describing the horrific fire that led to the tragic end of 19 lives as “one of the worst tragedies in Guyana’s history”, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary and Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, expressed condolences to the families and friends of the victims and condemned the politicisation of tragedy.

During his Thursday (May 25, 2023) news conference at Freedom House, Robb Street, he said, “I express heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in the fire at Mahdia…this devastating loss has taken away the joy from so many families and I want them to know that they can count on our unconditional support now and in the future.”

Urging the public condemnation of opportunistic use of personal tragedy for cheap political points, Jagdeo added, “I want to repeat what the President said that there is a time and place for everything….I want to urge those who have been so disrespectful to politi - cize or try to politicize this national tragedy [and] to capitalize on people’s grief is unconscionable and any attempt to do so should be condemned,” Jagdeo said.

According to him, the politicization of this national tragedy has been both veiled and open, Jagdeo said, “The first statement from the Leader of the Opposition [Aubrey Norton] was measured and I applaud him or that… and before I knew it, he was on television in Trinidad and Tobago politicizing the issue… today, he has cancelled his press conference to go to Mahdia and attempt once again to politicize the issue.”

The PPP General Secretary noted that leader of the PNCR and Parliamentary Opposition, Aubrey Norton, was in the township on Wednesday (May 24, 2023) during a national flower-laying ceremony and chose not to attend. He said there may not have been a formal invitation to Norton but that should not have kept him away since other people did not receive same. “If [you’re] really concerned then just show up. I don’t think formal invites were sent,” Jagdeo said.

He also called out other members of the Parliamentary Opposition who he said have made vile statements following the tragic incident.

Responding to questions about a possible special inquiry into the fire, Jagdeo said that is a decision for the President to make. He said, “The matter was discussed and the President will speak on it at the appropriate time. We committed to giving people all the answers. So far, we know what took place but much more needs to be done and people will have the answers.”

The PPP General Secretary noted that as Guyana mourn the national tragedy, Guyanese can take comfort in the fact that as a people “we will” overcome. “We will overcome this and there will be all the answers in the future…it is going to be a long period before we can overcome this,” he said.

Union’s team of experts has commended the government’s implementation of several recommendations in the final report by the European Observation Mission based on its observation of Guyana’s 2020 General and Regional Elections.

In 2020, the EU deployed an observation team to Guyana to witness the March 2, 2020 elections. The mission made 26 recommendations to stakeholders.