Guyana: Protester killed during election demonstrations on March 6 /update 1

Event

Political opposition supporters have been holding demonstrations across Guyana since President David Granger was declared the winner of the presidential elections on Monday, March 2. On the evening (local time) of Friday, March 6, police officers shot and killed a protester in the West Coast Berbice region. According to police officers, they came under attack after clearing barricades erected by demonstrators on the Cotton Tree Public Road.

Further protests are likely over the coming days as the High Court is expected to rule on an injunction against the election results on Sunday, March 8. Bharrat Jagdeo, a leader of the opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) filed the injunction on Friday, claiming that Elections Commission (EC) altered votes in favor of President Granger. Violent clashes and transportation disruptions are possible around all protest sites

Context

PPP supporters have clashed with police, blocked roads, and burned tires since initial election results were released on Monday. Jagdeo is accusing the EC of altering the results in Region Four, the most populous electoral district. The injunction is intended to prevent the commission from formally declaring Granger the winner of the election.

Advice

Individuals in Guyana are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests and public demonstrations as a precaution, and obey all instructions issued by the local authorities.