Georgetown: GECOM Chair (rtd) Justice Claudette Singh on Thursday instructed Chief Election Officer Keith Lowenfield to prepare a report for the declaration of the result from the March 2 general elections using the figures from the recount of the votes which show a victory for the PPP/C.
In a letter, Singh pointed out to Lowenfield that in accordance with Section 18 of the Election Laws Act No 15 of 2000 he is subject to the “direction and control of the Commission”.
She added: “In accordance with this section, and pursuant to article 177 (2) (b) of the Constitution and section 96 of the Representation of the People Act Cap 1:03, you are hereby requested to prepare and submit your report on the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections by 2 pm on 10th July 2020, using the valid votes counted in the National Recount as per Certificates of Recount generated therefrom”.
The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in its ruling Wednesday gave very clear direction on the lawful route the country’s Chief Elections Officer should take and possibly escape criminal charges against him for falsifying an elections report.
On June 16, Lowenfield was told to prepare a report based on the results of the national vote recount and to determine the number of Parliamentary seats for each party.
But he failed to do that when he presented a report on June 23 that was based on his own figures. The CCJ has now discarded his June 23 report and so the status quo reverts to the instructions he was given on June 16.
“It is for GECOM to ensure the CEO submits a report in accordance with its direction of June 16 in order to proceed along the path directed by the laws of Guyana,” President of the CCJ Justice Adrian Saunders stated in delivering the judgement of the Court.
So the CCJ was clear that to follow the law, Lowenfield must comply with the direction he was given.
The Court had urged that this be done without delay.
“It is for GECOM to ensure that the election results are swiftly declared in accordance with the Laws of Guyana,” Justice Saunders stated.
Lowenfield faces three private criminal charges of fraud related to the results of the elections.
GECOM is expected to meet at 1 p.m. on Friday.
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