Now that the Court of Appeal has cleared the way for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to proceed with a national recount of the votes, PPP/C- aligned lawyer, Anil Nandlall is calling for Region Four’s Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, who he described as being tainted by corruption and dishonest, to be replaced immediately. But not only that, Nandlall said that to erase any doubts about the credibility of the elections, GECOM must televise the process for the nation and world to see.
PPP/C- aligned lawyer, Anil NandlallSpeaking to reporters just after yesterday’s court ruling, Nandlall expressed that once GECOM gets on with the recount, Mingo must not return as Returning Officer. In fact, he explained that the law make provisions for the functions of the Returning Officer to be carried out by a Deputy Returning Officer. According to Nandlall, a former Attorney General, based on his conduct, Mingo must not be allowed to be part of any electoral process ever again in the history of Guyana.
The lawyer said that everyone knows what aspect of the electoral process is being complained against and that he stressed is only the tabulation of the Region 4 results. He pointed out, “No other part of the process is tainted.” According to him, “We have 83 Returning Officers in Region 4. The law says that a Deputy Returning Officer can perform all the functions of a Returning Officer. So, Mingo is by no means or measure indispensable.”
This is what Nandlall had to say about Mingo, “I believe [he] has demonstrated to the world and to GECOM that he must not be part of any electoral process every again in history of this country. He is tainted by corruption and I believe he is dishonest. The world saw him declaring results from a piece of paper that bears no connection to the Statements of Polls and ballots cast. How can you entrust such an individual to be a part of the process again? He is part of the problem, we are looking for a solution. So, he must be completely removed from the process.”
He added that one would expect that the recount process would be done in accordance with the law and in a free, fair and transparent manner and be observed by all. With that in mind, Nandlall emphasized that all political parties must now bind themselves to the outcome of that recount.
In the meantime, Nandlall said he remains hopeful that the high-level team from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) will return to observe the recount. He added that this was the initial arrangement and he is hoping that it still remains in place when GECOM decides to begin the recount.
Speaking to the integrity of the recount process, Nandlall made an impassioned plea for the recount process to be televised and is hoping that GECOM grants that request. He noted, “This is why we are calling for it to be televised. You cannot get fairer or transparent than that. Let it be televised so that every person in the country and possibly in the world can view it. That is the hallmark of transparency and accountability. So, let GECOM grant that request.”
During a press conference last week, Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, said that the process should be transparent and as such suggested that it be televised so that citizens can be ensured that their votes are counted. With all that transpired after the close of polls of the March 2 and General Elections, he is of the firm belief that if the recount is televised, it will allow citizens to have a full, unadulterated view of the process.
“The idea of a recount came after the results for Electoral District Four (D4) were deemed “non-credible” by foreign and local observer groups and party agents. The Returning Officer (RO) for D4, Clairmont Mingo, has come under harsh criticisms for his declaration, which did not match the figures on the Statements of Poll in the possession of observers and party agents.”
An online petition has been started by a private citizen to have the recount of the ballots be done via a live video broadcast. As of this morning, over 8,000 persons had already signed that petition. They believe that a live broadcast of the process will also negate mistrust among supporters of the two major political parties and bring back much needed credibility to the electoral process.
