Despite continuous objections from PPP/C officials and observers, the tabulation of votes in District 4 during the 2020 General and Regional Elections “quickly” continued with objections being blatantly ignored to fraudulently declare the Coalition APNU+AFC party as the winner.
This was the testimony Tuesday of now Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Sonia Parag, as the trial of nine persons accused of trying to rig the elections continued.
The case is being heard before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.
Parag is the first witness to testify in the long delayed trial.
During the continuation of her testimony, Parag detailed the continuous delays experienced during the tabulation of votes cast in District 4.
Parag, who was a candidate of polls for the PPP/C at the time of the elections, was tasked with comparing the figures from the SOPs. The process was initially conducted at the Ashmins building.
Though the process was not completed, Parag told the court that the District Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo entered the tabulation room on March 5, 2020, and informed those present that he had a declaration to make. He then proceeded up the escalator to declare the results for district 4.
At this point, there was a lot of chaos and shouting, to a point where Mingo’s voice could not be heard.
Tuesday’s proceeding was yet again delayed to some extent with the defense and prosecution clashing
Defense attorney Eusi Anderson rose to object to Parag’s use to names of persons in her testimony who are not named defendants in the matter. This resulted in the magistrate striking out a section of her evidence from the trial.
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Sonia Parag continue her testimony on Tuesday as the trial continues (Photo: News Room, July 30, 2024)
This move which was strongly condemned by King Counsel Darshan Ramdhani, who is leading evidence in the case. In fact, Ramdhani said he is surprised at the continuous effort made by the defense to delay the case.
Mingo’s declaration, Parag said, led to proceedings being filed in the High Court.
But this, according to Parag, did not prevent further efforts to derail the elections. In fact, the tabulation process was moved to GECOM headquarters in Kingston, Georgetown. There, Parag said the votes were being “quickly” tabulated using a bedsheet.
This, Parag added, resulted in continuous objections; the objections were made by Parag and other PPP/C representatives and observers. And though she could not compare the figures displayed due to poor visibility, Parag told the court that the process continued and Mingo made another declaration.
Defense attorney, Eusi Anderson engaged in a discussion with some of the defendants during a break (Photo: News Room/ July 30, 2024)
This, she said led to a recount process of the votes cast during the 2020 elections days after – a process which she participated in.
Nine persons are before the court in relation to electoral fraud. They are: former APNU+AFC government minister Volda Lawrence; former GECOM Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield; former GECOM Returning Officer for District Four Clairmont Mingo; former GECOM Deputy Chief Election Officer Roxanne Myers; APNU+AFC’s Chief Scrutineer Carol Smith Joseph; and former GECOM employees Sheffern February, Enrique Liven, Michelle Miller and Denise Babb-Cummings.
They face nine charges of conspiracy which are said to have been committed between elections day – March 2, 2020 – to August 2, 2020. It is alleged that the defendants conspired during the 2020 General and Regional elections to defraud the electors of Guyana by declaring a false account of votes cast.
A number of witnesses are expected to testify in trial which will run for 6 weeks.
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