Claims of bias and falsehoods regarding evidence given in the trial into the March 2020 elections — specifically regarding the targeting of PPP agents — were proven to be untrue following clarification from the prosecution and a replay of the court proceedings.
The matter, which had sparked outrage on social media on Tuesday, was raised when the trial resumed on Wednesday afternoon. Defence attorney Ronald Daniels from the Chambers of Nigel Hughes had previously expressed his concerns over the issue.
During cross-examination, defence attorney Darren Wade requested clarification on a statement made by Local Observer Rosalinda Rasul during Tuesday’s hearing. This prompted Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty to intervene and provide clarity.
Prosecutor Latchmie Rahamat subsequently referred to her notes, confirming that Rasul had indeed told the court that police were summoned when chaos erupted at the GECOM Command Centre at Ashmins Building during the elections. When questioned by Daniels about whether it was the PPP agents who were targeted, Rasul responded: “Yes, it did appear so.”
Despite this clarification, the defence remained unsatisfied, prompting the magistrate to order that the recording of that particular section of evidence be replayed in court.
Upon replay, it was confirmed that Rasul had stated only PPP agents were targeted, even though other party agents, observers, and diplomats were vocal and contributed to the chaos that occurred during the tabulation of votes in Region Four.
The News Room had reported on Tuesday that Rasul testified that the police only intervened against representatives of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).
The report also noted that, during cross-examination by Daniels, heavily armed police prevented some observers, including Rasul herself, from entering the building. Despite the involvement of other political party agents—particularly from APNU+AFC—no similar police intervention occurred against them.
Following the Tuesday hearing, Daniels took to social media to express his opinion on the article, which he described as a “clearly deliberate, misleading” report. In his post, he went on to detail what he claimed were “admissions” by Rasul under cross-examination.
The post sparked interactions, including one from Roxanne Myers, one of the defendants in the case.
However, when the clarification was provided in court, Daniels, who joined virtually on Wednesday, could not defend his previous claims.
Nine individuals are currently before the court, charged with conspiring to manipulate the election results in favour of APNU+AFC and denying victory to the PPP. Those charged include former government minister Volda Lawrence, former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, former Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, and former Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers, among others.
The controversy surrounding the March 2020 elections delayed the results for five months, until PPP candidate Irfaan Ali was sworn in as president in August 2020. Rasul’s testimony continues when the trial resumes on Wednesday, 26 March.
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