The group also stressed that calls for constitutional and electoral reforms should be addressed urgently since many of the problems facing the Guyanese society hinge on them.
The post-elections calm was threatened by dissatisfied pockets of resistance, but political leaders maintained their commitments to keep the peace.
According to the Electoral Assistance Bureau/IFES Election Violence Education and Resolution (EVER) Project's sixth report, there were no reports of any election-related violence and most citizens believe the tensions associated with local polls are decreasing. It did, however, note that the string of fires at government buildings soon after the polls did raise many questions and it remains an unresolved issue. Additionally, it urged that political parties and civil society make constitutional reform a priority, and in particular in relation to resolving the situations that arose as a result of the elections.
The report covers the period August 29 to October 6, 2006.
Several factors were believed to have contributed to peaceful elections, including the calls for peace by political leaders, as well as the unprecedented involvement and activism of civil society groups in peace initiatives and efforts to monitor the political environment. The Bureau commended the efforts of groups like the Guyana Peace Builders Network (GPBN), and encouraged the continuation of peace promotion campaigns. "With the calls for peace by all political parties and civic groups the outlook is promising," it said. "It is hoped that the political parties and their leadership continue to work for peace." The group also stressed that calls for constitutional and electoral reforms should be addressed urgently since many of the problems facing the Guyanese society hinge on them. In this regard, it said civil society groups should continue their momentum commenting on governance and progress on the constitutional and other reforms for which they may want to advocate.
The heightened presence of election observers in polling stations, greater transparency of the Guyana Elections Commission and the absence of any glaring or widespread irregularities in addition to fatigue with violence and tension among the population were all cited as reasons for the stable environment. The presence of the Independent Media Monitoring Unit and more responsible media coverage were cited too.
The report said that in the second week following the elections a number of persons from various political parties were interviewed as were members of the general public about the elections and the peace that was maintained throughout the period. The PPP/C supporters believed peace was as a result of the maturity of the politicians and that the elections results were accepted by all.
Reports from Region 6 stated that some residents were not totally satisfied with the President and by extension the government but were happy that the PPP/C retained power. On the other hand, in the opposition-supported areas many were of the view that although people did not move to the streets to protest the election results like in previous years, they were frustrated that the elections did not bring about change in the political environment. They felt that years of an unstable political climate, especially after previous general elections, took their toll on some sections of the population. In Linden, the EVER Project's monitors reported a significant level of dissatisfaction with the results in the conversations among people in the community, and to some degree the calls for peace from the PNCR-1G leadership. This decreased as time passed.
Tense
Although there were no reports of election-related violence, in the wake of the polls there was tension and even some calls for street protests and action. The report said that in Linden, communities were politically divided and tense following the elections and some people avoided the capital city during the first week after the polls. Additionally, it was reported that the call for peace by the leader of the PNCR-1G was denounced by pockets of supporters in Linden and in Georgetown. In fact, in Linden there were reports that some PNCR-1G supporters were calling for protests or violent action. But it did not translate into action. It was suggested that the tone of some remarks in Linden was racial. Added to that, some persons were said to have concluded from the election results that Afro-Guyanese did not vote in one block, whereas Indo-Guyanese did. This has seemingly resulted in anger against both the PPP/C and the AFC, and especially the latter for splitting the vote.
The Bureau recommended that community leaders make efforts to reach out to those who are dissatisfied and attempt to defuse the tension. It did emphasise the importance of the fact that although some supporters are adamant in their call for protest, the PNCR leadership fulfilled its commitment in its call for peace, and that supporters are heeding it.
It said supporters seem very aware that any illegitimate actions would not be condoned. Additionally, the party held a number of post-election meetings throughout Region 4. During these meetings the speakers thanked their supporters and vowed that the party would continue to represent them.
Speculation
One factor that was found to have contributed to heightened tensions in the post-election period was the fiery destruction of four government buildings in the weeks after the declaration of results. The Region 4 Regional Democratic Council building at Paradise, East Coast Demerara, the Linden Television (LTV) station at Linden, the Guyana Elections Commission Secretariat building at Kingston and the Old GBC building in High Street were all destroyed by fire. The fires are being investigated though some have expressed the view that the Fire Service could benefit from the help of outside expertise in this area. "It is in the interest of the nation to resolve all outstanding cases quickly and to have as much information as possible about what happened," the Bureau noted, adding "…while the causes of the fires are still under investigation, speculation is rife about the possible causes, especially in the Linden fire."
Linden police arrested three PNCR activists, who were held during a search for arms and ammunition. The arrests were interpreted as being in connection with the fire. However, after an ID parade the men were disqualified as suspects and released without being charged. The Bureau pointed out that it is normal police procedure to arrest and question suspected persons in relation to any incident. As a result, it urged that citizens allow the authorities to carry out their investigations into the causes of the fire and to refrain from raising tensions through speculation and rumour.
The constitutional questions and related issues that arose from the failure to meet the deadline for the establishment of the new Parliament were also viewed as potential sources of tension.
There was a four month deadline for the convening of the new parliamentary session and it expired on September 2. The President and the leader of the PNCR established a two-person legal team that was to have looked for a possible solution. (The Bureau felt other parties should have been consulted but added that the apparent cooperation between the PPP/C and the PNCR was a step in the right direction for the country since it was an example of both parties following through on their post-election commitment to cooperate.) However, without the pronouncement of the legal team, the President announced a date for the convening - an act described as troubling, since it appeared that he reneged on his commitment to jointly formulate a solution to the constitutional issue with the main opposition. The AFC subsequently approached the courts for a determination on the constitutionality of the President's actions, including his decision to swear in ministers. The Bureau said that in a country in which citizens have a history of protesting grievances against the government, it should have been imperative for it not to be perceived as acting in contravention of the laws of Guyana.
Chief Justice Carl Singh eventually upheld the President's proclamation and said it was valid although it was issued after the deadline set forth in the constitution. He also ruled that the appointment of the ministers was constitutional since no legal requirement stipulated that their names had to be extracted from their party's list as nominees to hold seats in parliament. Singh's ruling has been disputed by the PNCR, the AFC and the civic group, the Guyana Human Rights Association. The two political parties subsequently filed legal challenges against the decision. Notwithstanding their appeals, the representatives of the parties have taken up their seats in the parliament and the Bureau thought it commendable that they followed the rule of law while they are attempting to address their dissatisfaction in the courts. The Bureau expressed hope that the appeal of the ruling would be heard as a matter of urgency and signal the importance of the constitution of the country. It added that it might put an end to the perception that some members of the judiciary are biased in favour of the government and the ruling party. It expressed similar views about the election petition filed by the PNCR.