Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has expressed frustration over the continued delays in the trial of nine individuals, including former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, who are accused of electoral fraud in the 2020 General and Regional Elections. During his press conference today, Jagdeo blamed the judiciary for the setbacks, questioning whether the delays reflect a systemic bias against the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government.
The trial, which centers around allegations of a coordinated attempt to rig the March 2, 2020 elections in favor of the opposition, was postponed in early August due to the illness of the presiding magistrate, Leron Daly. In his remarks, Jagdeo highlighted that these frequent delays have caused significant frustration among the public and the government, which is eager to proceed with the case.
“We’ve done all we could to accelerate these trials, but we don’t control the judiciary,” Jagdeo said, addressing the concerns raised by the reporter. “We have all the evidence to demonstrate that there was a coordinated attempt to steal the elections between APNU and these individuals, and we are just waiting to present.”
Jagdoe did not mince words as he hinted at what he perceives to be unequal treatment in the judicial process. “Somehow, people associated with the opposition seem to get their cases delayed forever. But if it’s someone linked to the PPP, like in libel cases, those fly through the court like a hurricane,” Jagdeo said. “I hope it’s not an inherent bias against the government.”
The trial in question involves a number of high-profile figures, including Lowenfield; his deputy Roxanne Myers; former returning officer Clairmont Mingo; and several other GECOM officials and opposition members. They are facing charges of misconduct in public office, forgery, and conspiracy to deceive electors by allegedly inflating results in Region Four, Guyana’s largest voting district, to benefit the then-ruling APNU+AFC coalition.
Outside of the adjournment, issues regarding the admissibility of evidence and the accuracy of court records have contributed to the sluggish pace of the trial. Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Sonia Parag, had testified, however, a section of her statement was struck from the record due to concerns over her reference to an individual not involved in the case.
The trial is expected to continue for several more weeks, with additional witnesses slated to take the stand. However, Jagdeo is concerned that the frequent adjournments have led to growing concerns that justice in this case could be indefinitely delayed.
All these thieves from the PNC ought to be put behind bars. They are incapable of honesty and will do whatever they want to remain in power.
If they were PPP members and the PNC was in power, they would have been jailed.