Mingo & Lowenfield refuse to testify at elections inquiry

As the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the 2020 General and Regional Elections continued on Friday, more key officials implicated in the plot to rig the elections refused to testify.

Appearing before the Commission, chaired by Justice of the Appeal (retired) of Turks and Caicos Stanley John, was former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield and the District Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo.

Both men were summoned by the Commission because they are accused of electoral fraud by other officials who already testified at the ongoing CoI. They are also facing criminal charges for electoral fraud.

Because they are currently before the courts, their attorney Nigel Hughes reminded the Commission that they have a right not to potentially implicate themselves at the inquiry given they are facing those charges.

Justice John acknowledged that neither person would be obligated to testify if they did not wish to do so.

Consequently, Lowenfield took the stand and simply said: “Mr. Chairman, I will remain silent.”

Similarly, Mingo said, “I reserve my right to remain silent.”

Also appearing before the Commission on Friday was the former Deputy Regional Commander for Region Four Phillip Azore.

Azore allegedly aided former Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO) Roxanne Myers in her efforts to clear the Ashmin’s building (the elections headquarters), and leave the Statements of Poll (SOPs) unattended during the bid to declare false results for District Four.

He was implicated by Edgar Thomas who, during the elections, was the Regional Commander.

Azore was also placed in charge of operations at the Ashmin’s Building during an attempt to allegedly usurp the authority of Thomas when he refused to carry out Myers’ orders.

Azore was asked if he was aware of the accusations levelled against him, and he responded in the affirmative. He, however, invoked his right to remain silent as well.

The CoI continues on Friday with Former Commissioner of Police Leslie James testifying once again.