Despite being removed from the national recount process over accusations of manipulating votes in favour of the governing APNU+AFC government, Region 4’s controversial Returning Officer (RO), Clairmont Mingo is still employed by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).
In fact, he has been assigned as the Registration Officer for one of GECOM’s Region Five offices.
This is according to Public Relations Officer (PRO) for GECOM, Yolanda Ward, who briefed the media yesterday on several matters related to the March 02, 2020 General and Regional elections.
As it relates to the reporting aspect of Mingo’s new office, Ward said she could not speak to it as Mingo was removed from the recount process.
She further said that GECOM’s respective offices have been complying with strict COVID-19 guidelines, “so, the frequency at which staff report at those outlying areas and regions I will not be able to say.”
The idea of a recount came after the results for Region 4 were deemed non-credible by foreign and local observer groups and party agents. Region 4’s RO, Mingo, had 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.
PPP/C Executive Member and former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall is of the firm conviction that based on Mingo’s conduct, he must not be allowed to be part of any electoral process ever again in the history of Guyana.
This was 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.”
