CCJ gives clear direction of what Lowenfield should do

The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in its ruling Wednesday gave very clear direction on the lawful route the country’s Chief Elections Officer should take and possibly escape criminal charges against him for falsifying an elections report.

On June 16, Lowenfield was told to prepare a report based on the results of the national vote recount and to determine the number of Parliamentary seats for each party.

But he failed to do that when he presented a report on June 23 that was based on his own figures. The CCJ has now discarded his June 23 report and so the status quo reverts to the instructions he was given on June 16.

“It is for GECOM to ensure the CEO submits a report in accordance with its direction of June 16 in order to proceed along the path directed by the laws of Guyana,” President of the CCJ Justice Adrian Saunders stated in delivering the judgement of the Court.

So the CCJ was clear that to follow the law, Lowenfield must comply with the direction he was given.

The Court had urged that this be done without delay.

“It is for GECOM to ensure that the election results are swiftly declared in accordance with the Laws of Guyana,” Justice Saunders stated.

Lowenfield faces three private criminal charges of fraud related to the results of the elections.

GECOM is expected to meet at 1 p.m. on Friday. It is unclear if the CEO will then be asked to present a new report in compliance with the law or whether he would be asked to do so before.