Above: the APNU+AFC’s David Granger
By the Caribbean Journal staff
Four days later, the Guyana election results are in.
In a nail-biter of an election, Guyana’s opposition has claimed victory, according to preliminary results released Thursday by the Guyana Elections Commission.
The opposition coalition called APNU+AFC or A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance for Change won a total of 206,817 votes, with the ruling PPP/C receiving 201,457 votes.
While the results are preliminary, GECOM said it would make official declarations by the end of day on Thursday.
The long delay in collecting the results led to criticism from abroad, including former US President Jimmy Carter who urged GECOM to release the results quickly.
The ruling PPP/C has urged a recount, although it’s not clear that the move would be necessary.
If upheld, the victory would end 23 years of rule by the People’s Progressive Party.
It would make David Granger the country’s next President, with Moses Nagamootoo slated to become Prime Minister in what would be a razor-thin-majority Parliament.
In a statement, the APNU thanked supporters.
“Thank you to the people of Guyana who have spoken for change,” the party said. “You have done well. God is Great!”