Elections fraud trial to proceed summarily, defendants pleaded not guilty

After faced with several delays which eventually resolved with a fresh start, the trial into the 2020 General and Regional elections has resumed with the defendants denying the allegation.

On Monday when the case was at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty ruled that the case will proceed as a summary trial.

As such, the defendants pleaded not guilty. They are former APNU+AFC government minister Volda Lawrence; former GECOM Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield; 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 employees Sheffern February, Enrique Liven, Michelle Miller and Denise Babb-Cummings.

They face nine conspiracy charges which are said to have been committed between Elections Day (March 2, 2020) and to August 2, 2020.

It is alleged that the defendants conspired during the 2020 General and Regional elections to defraud the electors of Guyana by declaring a false account of votes cast.

The ruling follows a request made last December by the magistrate for the defence to seek a de novo (new) trial.

When the high-profile case commenced in July 2024, the presiding magistrate Leron Daly had reported sick. The sick leave was extended and eventually, the case was reassigned.

The reassignment of the case happened even after two witnesses, including Minister of Local Government and Regional development, Sonia Parag testified.