Attorney-at-law Glen Hanoman who will be prosecuting the three private criminal fraud charges which were read to Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield yesterday has indicated that he has over 800 statements to take from witnesses. This is according to prominent attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes, one of Lowenfield’s lawyers.
Speaking to the media, Hughes said that it is clear that the prosecution is ill prepared. He has since raised serious objections. According to Hughes, “We thought if you have taken the time to bring the charges you should be ready and prepared to start.” Hanoman has since asked presiding Magistrate Faith McGusty to grant him one month to have the statements filed.
The Magistrate, after listening to both sides adjourned the matter to August 14, 2020 for Hanoman to produce whatever statements he has. Yesterday, Lowenfield was granted $450,000 bail on three fraud-related charges.
Lowenfield has submitted to the Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (retired) Claudette Singh a table showing what he deems to be “valid and credible votes cast” in the March 2 General and Regional Elections.
In a letter seen by this publication, Lowenfield said that he has taken note of the guidance of the Court of Appeal in the case of Eslyn David v Chief Elections Officer (CEO) et al in the preparation of his report pursuant to Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act and providing advice as required by Article 177 (2) (b) of the Constitution of Guyana.
What the CEO deems as “valid and credible votes cast” places the incumbent A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) party in 5,482 lead against its nearest political rival, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).
The inflated figures were provided by Clairmont Mingo, the Returning Officer for Guyana’s largest voting district- Region 4. The national recount proved that Mingo inflated votes in favour of the Coalition and it was the PPP that actually won the March 2 elections by over 15,000 votes.
