President Santokhi continues his work as he awaits final election results.

Happy Monday!

This week, we cover President Santokhi’s continued work as the final results are expected today. We also cover the concerns of fraud in the election process, and 152 years of Hindustani immigration to Suriname.

President Santokhi continues his presidential work without pause as he awaits final election results.

• President Chan Santokhi of Suriname continues his work and leadership duties while awaiting the official election results, expected today.

• He emphasizes the need to maintain stability and governance, rejecting any notion of a caretaker government.

• He outlines the formal process following the results: confirmation of elected officials, accounting for preferential votes, validation by the Independent Electoral Office (OKB), and eventual formation of the National Assembly’s leadership.

• In the meantime, an opposition coalition has already formed, involving parties like the NDP, NPS, and ABOP, which have already allocated top roles and ministries.

• Santokhi says he still aims to complete important tasks before leaving office, emphasizing that the current government remains active and decision-making must continue.

The government admits mistakes in the election results, but rules out any fraud in the process.

• Deputy Minister Maurits Hassankhan admits many mistakes occurred in Suriname’s May 25 elections, especially in logistics and staffing.

• However, he denies any fraud and credits the process with fairness and transparency, supported by positive international observation.

• He plans to investigate why trained polling staff backed out, likely due to better offers from political parties. Despite delays, the results are nearly complete, and six parties have already begun coalition talks.

• The budget for the election was exceeded by SRD 70 million, mostly due to emergency transport costs. Furthermore, staff who performed poorly will still be fully paid as a moral choice.

• However, future elections will enforce legal contracts and training requirements, including penalties and possible blacklisting for no-shows.

• The election results are expected to be officially confirmed soon, with constitutional timelines ensuring the current government and parliament remain until late June and mid-July, respectively.

The country celebrates 152 years of Hindustani immigration to Suriname and was visited by prominent Surinamese officials, including President Santokhi and former Vice-President Ashwin Adhin. The moment calls for unity across ethnic lines in the country.

• Flower ceremonies were held in multiple districts of Suriname to commemorate 152 years of Hindustani immigration.

• At the Baba and Mai monument, speakers, including President Santokhi and community leaders, honored the resilience and contributions of Indian immigrants who laid the groundwork for Suriname’s growth.

• The message was one of respect for the past, recognition of shared heritage, and a call for unity across ethnic lines.

• Ramon Jawalapersad, chairman of the Hindostani Immigration Foundation, stressed that despite differences in background or language, Surinamese citizens must live and move forward together in harmony — “This is Mama Sranan; the country belongs to all of us.”

• Parties that are part of the incoming coalition, the NDP, NPS, and the ABOP, called upon the memory of the first Hindustani immigrants to call for unity in the country.