– has since been discharged

AMIDST the tabulation of results for the 2020 General and Regional Elections, Returning Officer (RO) for Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Clairmont Mingo fell ill and was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

The verification of statement of polls (SOPs) was ongoing on Wednesday, when Mingo fell ill around 10:00 hours and was rushed to GPHC, where he received medical attention. Sections of the media reported that the RO was seen vomiting at the office which is situated at High and Hadfield Streets.

Senior Officials of GPHC had confirmed that Mingo was hospitalised, and his vitals were being monitored, but said the RO was not in a serious condition. GECOM Commissioner, Sase Gunraj, has since confirmed that Mingo has been discharged from the hospital and he is in good health.

Subsequent to Mingo falling ill, GECOM Commissioner, Vincent Alexander had told the Guyana Chronicle that a new RO was expected to be sworn in almost immediately, but reports had surfaced that the process was continued by clerks. It was, however, reported that the process was taken over by Deputy Returning Officers (DROs), who were tasked with continuing the process until it was complete. Mingo had suspended verification of the ballots for Region Four and was due to restart at 09:00 hours on Wednesday, but the process was delayed.