‘Magistracy frustrating the will of the people’ – Jagdeo against delays to election fraud trial
The trial in the 2020 elections fraud case was further delayed this week and Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has expressed concerns about the continued interruptions, contending that the magistracy was frustrating the “will of the people.”
“The judiciary here, the magistracy is frustrating the will of the people.
“They are not allowing justice to be done, and they are undermining governance in this country,” Jagdeo, General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), said at a party press conference on Thursday.
Further, he noted that the lengthy delays in taking the fraud case to trial “emboldens” any individual who attempts to rig elections in the future.
The trial was expected to start on Monday but a request from defence attorney Nigel Hughes has now forced the presiding Magistrate, Lerone Daly to put a pause on the proceedings before her as constitutional considerations have now been referred to the High Court for deliberation and a decision.
On Monday, Hughes requested copies of the minutes of meetings held by GECOM – leading up to, during and after the March 02, 2020 elections – and documentation of all decisions taken.
Jagdeo opined that the “serious matter” should not be delayed further.
“We’re not saying that we want the persons convicted or not, we are asking for you to proceed with the trial,” he noted.
Further, Jagdeo opined that individuals may be “tiptoeing” around the delays and not expressing their concerns publicly for fear of being held in contempt of the court. He suggested the government consider addressing the matter “legislatively.”
It is alleged that the nine defendants conspired during the March 2, 2020, general and regional elections to defraud the electors of Guyana by declaring a false account of votes cast.
Those accused include former APNU+AFC government minister, Volda Lawrence; former GECOM Returning Officer for District Four, Clairmont Mingo; former GECOM Deputy Chief Election Officer, Roxanne Myers; APNU+AFC’s Chief Scrutineer, Carol Smith Joseph and former GECOM Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, among others
Charge the Magistrate for the obvious delays and place him/her on trial for delaying justice.