In addressing the question as to what effect the recent court decision will have on high-level engagements with the Opposition moving forward, President Ali replayed, via his mobile phone, statements made by Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon, following the court ruling on Monday.
In his remarks, Harmon had said that “today is a dark and ominous day for democracy in Guyana. The ruling of the Court must strike fear in the heart of all democracy-loving people in Guyana, in the Caribbean and around the world. We have continuously called on our people to keep the peace, to remain calm and to uphold the law. Today, however, we have witnessed once again the judicial system failing our people.”
The President pointed to Harmon’s “attacks” even on the judiciary itself, and asked the media gathered to determine for themselves the Opposition’s intentions.
“Does that give you any indication that they (the Opposition) have any interest in working for the development of this country? Now attacking the Court, driving fear in people. I think that answers the question.”
On Monday, the Chief Justice (CJ), Roxane George dismissed the Opposition’s second election petition (88/2020), thereby declaring that the actions taken by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) – including the operationalisation of a national recount of the votes cast in the March 2020 General and Regional Elections – were indeed lawful.
Opposition supporters took the street moments later to protest the ruling against the backdrop of Harmon’s claim that the judicial system failed Guyanese.
