Lowenfield ‘disappointed’ in fraud charges – Attorney

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield is “disappointed” for being hauled before the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court to face criminal charges relating to the March 2 general and regional elections.

He maintains his innocence, according to his Attorney Senior Counsel Neil Boston.

“I think he is disappointed that he is brought before the court for something he has not done,” the Senior Counsel told the media shortly after the case was called on Friday before Magistrate Faith McGusty.

Lowenfield on three occasions presented numbers to the Guyana Elections Commission which (GECOM) which were proven to be false by the national vote recount exercise.

The recount showed that the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) won the elections by more than 15,000 votes but in each instance, the CEO attempted to hand a victory to the incumbent APNU+AFC Coalition.

In one case, the CEO dumped over 115,000 votes on allegations that they were not valid. In the last scenario, Lowenfield presented figures which were previously declared by the ten Returning Officers (ROs) following the March elections including the fraudulent declaration made by the RO for Region Four Clairmont Mingo.

Lowenfield was on Friday charged with misconduct in office and breach of the public’s trust along with conspiring to commit fraud.

The private criminal charges were filed by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) member Desmond Morian and Member of The New Movement, Daniel Josh Kanhai. He was released on $450,000 bail.

His lawyer told the media that the charges are politically motivated.

“It must be a political thing if the charges to me have nuisance value, there is no substance in the charges…it can’t be nothing else,” the Senior Counsel argued.

The CEO is also represented by Attorney Nigel Hughes who supported Boston’s comments.

“We did not want the court to become a forum for a political battle,” Hughes said as he alleged that the lawyer representing the applicants, Glen Hanoman attempted to make political claims.

The case is adjourned to August 14.