Georgetown: Notwithstanding a High Court ruling which clearly established that Clairmont Mingo, the Returning Officer for District Four breached the country’s electoral laws, APNU+AFC Commissioner of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Vincent Alexander refuses and is unwilling to compare his results with those currently being produced by the national recount.
“Clairmont Mingo’s figures at this time or any other figures from District One to Ten are of no importance to me. We have set those aside. Those declarations are being held in abeyance and we are counting from district one to ten and that is what is of concern,” Alexander said.
Mingo is accused of inflating numbers for the incumbent and deflating numbers for the Opposition during the tabulation of votes for his two declarations made on March 6 and 13.
His declarations of those figures were marred in controversy after he deviated from the legally established tabulation guideline, resulting in a series of court actions, and threats of sanctions by the international community.
“It may be beneficial to make a comparison of all figures. I’m not in the process of advocating. I said it may be beneficial,” he said, adding that it might be prudent for GECOM to establish a research arm for such purposes.
In her ruling, the Chief Justice said that it was saddening that 19 years after a similar case, she had to restate the words of then Chief Justice Desiree Bernard, that the role of GECOM is to take action to ensure impartiality, fairness and compliance with the law.
She said every effort must be made to ensure that everyone is satisfied that the process is fair and that confidence in the electoral process must be restored.
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