GECOM meets today on CEO’s report
DPI, Guyana, Monday, June 15, 2020
The seven-member Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is scheduled to meet today at 13:00hrs to begin its deliberation of the critical report submitted by Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield on the first stage of the national recount process.
Lowenfield on Saturday submitted what analysts said was a very comprehensive report to Commission Chair Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh, as was required by the Gazetted National Recount Order.
The submission of the report has now opened the door for the third stage of the national recount process, the review.
The commission will deliberate on the content of the CEO’s report, paying particular interest to the host of irregularities which occurred on March 2 by the political opposition. Lowenfield’s report surmised that the 2020 General and Regional elections could not be deemed credible as only 40 percent of the total votes could be considered untainted.
The CEO reviewed the ten electoral districts and upon examination of the Observation Reports and the evidence provided by the Coalition, found that the process was heavily tainted by electoral fraud.
The APNU+AFC, since the commencement of the national recount on May 6, found that the elections could not have been a free, fair and credible process, due to the mounting irregularities uncovered.
The evident indiscretions were found to be in all forms, from the absence of critical Official List of Electors (OLE) and poll books to missing unused ballots. There were a host of unstamped ballots in areas known to be strongholds of the incumbent. Persons who should have been presented forms of identification did not, but were still allowed to vote. Missing Oaths of Identity were recorded, along with all statutory documents as was discovered on the lower East Coast of Demerara.
The CEO’s report said the March 2 polls lacked credibility because of the 4,864 cases of voter impersonation and over 2000 abnormalities that impacted more than 200,000 votes across the 10 districts. The report noted these massive irregularities did not satisfy the criteria of impartiality, fairness and compliance with the Constitution of Guyana and the Representation of the People Act (RPA).
On Sunday, His Excellency President David Granger said he was sure the CEO did quite well, under the circumstances.
There have been many speculations about what could be decided by the Commission in light of the huge body of irregularities as are contained in the CEO’s report.
President Granger on Sunday said a declaration could be made based on the credible information in the CEO’s report, or, because of the enormous amount of irregularities, the Chair could decide on no declaration.
The Head of State has however asked Guyanese to be patient and await the decision of the commission.