The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has written the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield warning that his second report submitted to the Chairperson of GECOM on June 23 breaches the laws of Guyana.
The GCCI in its letter dated June 26 told the CEO his actions violated Sections of the Constitution “in a deliberate overt act to overthrow the core principle of the Sovereignty of the People and the Electoral System of Proportional Representation.”
“Your reports seek to install a Government that has not been democratically elected by the Will of the People. These actions can be construed as Treasonous, using Section 318 of Ch: 8:01 The Criminal Law (Offences) Act.”
Section 318 of the Act states that “Any person owing allegiance to the State who, whether in Guyana or elsewhere – (a) forms an intention to levy war against the State or to overthrow the Government or the Constitution of Guyana by force and manifests such intention by any overact…shall be guilty of treason…”
The CEO in a statement on Friday said he is not bound by the orders of the Commission or the Chairperson on GECOM.
However, the GCCI said this is not the case and pointed out that if the “treasonous report” –which dumped over 115,000 votes –is allowed to stand, it “shall have one of the most lasting negative impacts on our society and future generations, as well as your legacy.”
The GCCI said Lowenfield will face the consequences of the law at the end of the electoral process.
See full letter below:
June 26, 2020
Mr. Keith Lowenfield
Chief Elections Officer
Guyana Elections Commission
GEORGETOWN.
Dear Mr. Lowenfield,
We note your Press Release, dated Jun 26, responding to an article in the Stabroek News, and suggesting that you have followed the Constitution of Guyana, Ch 1:01 in the Laws of Guyana.
While its certain from the release that you have read the Section 177 (b) of the Constitution, we wish to call to your attention the third and fourth paragraphs of the Preamble which says, “WE, THE GUYANESE PEOPLE, Forge a system of governance that promotes concerted efforts and broad based participation in national decision making in order to develop a viable economy and a harmonious community based on democratic values, social justice, fundamental rights and the rule of law.” Further Section 9 reads, “Sovereignty belongs to the people, who exercise it through their representatives and the democratic organs established by or under this Constitution.” You have violated those Sections by taking away the rights, afforded under Section 160 (b) to all citizens, from one hundred and fifteen thousand citizens. The repercussions of your actions will be severe for all businesses in Guyana, indeed for our entire economy and social wellbeing, for our collective future. We therefore take this final opportunity to address your actions.
Mr. Lowenfield, your actions have violated Sections of the Constitution in a deliberate overt act to overthrow the core principle of the Sovereignty of the People and the Electoral System of Proportional Representation. Your reports seek to install a Government that has not been democratically elected by the Will of the People. These actions can be construed as Treasonous, using Section 318 of Ch: 8:01 The Criminal Law (Offences) Act, which states that “Any person owing allegiance to the State who, whether in Guyana or elsewhere –
- forms an intention to levy war against the State or to overthrow the Government or the Constitution of Guyana by force and manifests such intention by any over act;” would have committed Treason.
Despite all the forgoing Mr. Lowenfield, you may be presented with one final opportunity to redeem yourself. If the Caribbean Court of Justice overrules our Local Court of Appeal’s ruling, and you withdraw your report, then you should submit the correct report, which is in keeping with the Will of the People. The Treasonous one you have submitted, if it is allowed to stand, shall have one of the most lasting negative impacts on our society and future generations, as well as your legacy.
There is little probability that given all the rhetoric from the International Community, most of whom have stopped using diplomatic nuances and instead are being forthright, that the Treasonous action will be successful. Rest assured that when all of this comes to an inglorious end, you will face the consequences of the law if you dig your heels in to plunge off a cliff with our country in tow; instead you can change course and do the right thing to let our Nation move forward with a genuinely ‘credible’ Election Cycle and heal.
Yours sincerely,
Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer
PRESIDENT.
