Confusion has arisen about the elections going on in Suriname. The newspaper the True Time reported earlier in the evening that elections may be delayed at the last minute. But President Bouterse says that there no way is. “Let me tell you: the elections will continue as usual. Again, the elections will continue as usual,” True Time quotes him.
The situation on the eastern border with French Guiana is said to have put pressure on Bouterse. According to the newspaper, people with boats illegally cross the border and “resist” soldiers and police officers who try to stop them.
It would concern people who are registered in Suriname, but live in French Guiana and who want to vote tomorrow. It would be supporters of the opposition. According to Bouterse, there are “forces behind the scenes trying to frustrate the elections”. But according to him there is no question of postponement.
Jerry Slijngard of the crisis team dealing with the fight against the coronavirus is deeply concerned about the illegal crossing, which he sees as a serious threat to public health. He does not say that there are massive crossings, but that more and more people have been entering the country illegally lately.
Only if the crisis team reports problems because of crossing the border can “drastic measures” be taken, according to Bouterse.
–
