GECOM to announce preliminary results this evening-as verification continues

GECOMGeorgetown:  As the wait for the results of the much anticipated May 11, 2015 regional and general elections continues, the Guyana Election Commission’s (GECOM) Chairman, Steve Surujbally has announced at a press briefing at the commission’s office that the preliminary results will be announced Tuesday evening at another press conference.

 He explained that although approximately 1500 of the 2299 Statement of Polls (SOPs) have arrived at the office, the verification process is still ongoing and by this evening the commission will be in a better position to pronounce on the preliminary results, as by that time more boxes should be in their possession and more votes will be verified.

 Dr Surujbally has also urged the general public to continue to be patient as he reminded them that the entire country is considered one constituency because Guyana has a proportional representation electoral system, hence it requires more time for the commission to be able to put forward a final result.

This election is being contested by eight political parties, inclusive of the incumbent People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), and the main challenger, the coalition of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance for Change (AFC).

 This election resulted from the November 2014 prorogation of the National Assembly by President Donald Ramotar to pre-empt a No confidence motion by the joint opposition. This has created history in the country’s constitution while also cutting short the life of the PPP/C’s term in power as elections were not due until 2016.