Elections fraud trial resumes as Statements of Poll entered into evidence

The ongoing elections fraud trial related to Guyana’s March 2020 General and Regional Elections resumed on Monday, with certified Statements of Poll (SOPs) from Electoral Districts Four and Six formally tendered into evidence.

Proceedings at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court were briefly delayed due to heavy rainfall, which affected the transportation of court exhibits to the courtroom. Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty informed the court that the witness, Nigel Stephens of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), had arrived on time but was unable to immediately deliver the exhibits because of the weather conditions.

The hearing eventually got underway at approximately 10:42 a.m.

Stephens, who has previously testified in the matter, continued giving evidence regarding the handling, verification and preservation of election-related documents. Earlier in the trial, he told the court that on May 28, 2021, he received two metal safes and their corresponding keys that had been used to secure Statements of Poll from the 2020 elections. Those materials were later processed as part of the official evidence chain.

He also testified that on May 29, 2021, he participated in a verification exercise alongside the Registrar of the Supreme Court. During that exercise, Statements of Poll and Statements of Recount (SORs) were examined, certified and checked for authenticity.

Nine individuals are before the court accused of conspiring to manipulate the results of the March 2020 elections in favour of the APNU+AFC coalition and to deny victory to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

Among those charged are former Minister Volda Lawrence, former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, former Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo and former Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers.

The March 2020 elections sparked a prolonged political and legal dispute that delayed the declaration of the final results for five months. The impasse ended on August 2, 2020, when PPP/C Presidential Candidate Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali was sworn in as President.

The trial is scheduled to continue on Tuesday, June 16, as the court proceeds with the examination of evidence and witness testimony.