APNU Protest outside GEOCOM Chief's Home

A group of pro-APNU protesters and police were Monday night on a standoff outside the Lamaha Gardens residence of the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission. 

Police insisted that they remove from the area. "You all please leave this area, it is illegal". "Go to your respective homes," they pleaded. But one of the organisers maintained that they have a legitimate right to peaceful and quiet protest unless there is a state of emergency. 

Another group of protesters was outside the Dennis Street, Campbelville home of Chief Election Officer, Gocool Boodoo. They later dispersed.

They were chanting and singing hymns while holding candles in their hands. 

When more police arrived in a minibus, organisers asked the protestors to leave the area.  When they were some distance away, executive member of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Gerry Gouveia exited Surujbally's residence. The group shouted "shame shame". 

They said Gouveia and Surujbally were among others sipping wine on the verandah of the GECOM chairman's home. 

Two wine glasses were seen on the verandah.  

The APNU has been demanding an all-party verification of the Statements of Poll from Monday's elections claiming that there were too many discrepancies particularly in Region Four. The coalition has said that it is prepared to accept the findings of such an exercise, one which has also gotten the support of the AFC.

An AFC official told Demerara Waves Online News (www.demwaves.com) at the weekend that they were prepared to make their Statements available for such a verification.

Meanwhile, the PSC has also indicated that it would support a reconciliation of the Statements if that would bring acceptance of the elections results.   

The People's Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) Monday night condemned the "intimidatory behaviour/  tactics" by members and supporters of APNU for taking their protest action to the home of the Chairman of Elections Commission and Chief Elections Officer.

"The PPPC believes while APNU has a right to protest their brazen and daring act of provocation and lack of civility and respect  cannot be excused," the party said in a statement.

"Such intrusion on the privacy of the elections officials and their families is definitely crossing the boundary and therefore deserves the condemnation of all decent and law-abiding Guyanese," the party added.

 The PPPC called on the leadership of APNU to publicly denounce this level of behaviour that goes against the norms of civil, peaceful  and decent  protest.