Dear Editor,

OUTGOING UK Envoy, British High Commissioner, honorable Mr. Greg Quinn fearlessly and vociferously declared, “I have never before seen such blatant attempt to fix election results.” What strong words to articulate a timely message and urgent advice to the APNU+AFC party, especially to a defunct leader who aided and abated in the tsunamic disaster of the last elections, bearing destructive and damaging repercussions that has left an indelible diabolic mark on GECOM Secretariat, one that must not be allowed to be repeated ever again. Guyana remains in debt to the dignified gentleman who, in his wisdom for fairness, equality and justice, joined hands with his American, Canadian and European Union counterparts to champion the cause for the restoration of democracy in Guyana, recognising and supporting the legitimate will of the people and defending the legality of the election recount result as accredited by CARICOM. The restless days, sleepless nights and tremendous sacrifices of the entire national and international community, consisting of emissaries, individuals, societies, organisations and countries will forever be remembered by all of Guyana and the heartfelt thanks of Guyanese and their appreciation in humility will continue to flow like the might of the Kaieteur Falls.

“I have been around in this business for 25 years and I have never seen a post-elections process like I have seen here in those 25 years, anywhere,” he further surmised. Perhaps, that statement summarises a conclusion that confirms that this type of behaviour and perpetration of election fraud is unheard of in any part of the world and certainly creates a unique infamous record, one that only the APNU+AFC party is culpable and remains proud of. This is their only means to forge a fraudulent win to secure power in the government, one that they so publicly admitted to (Atlanta speech). The rigging was blatantly and glaringly done in the face of the world and the diplomats themselves witnessed this escapade, executed by the Mingo’s numerical fabrication and later supported by Lowenfield’s fiasco reports and endorsed by the APNU+AFC party. GECOM accepted CARICOM scrutinised election recount result but this was again challenged more than once by the Coalition party all the way to the CCJ, only to be thrown out with their decision that the recount result is valid and has to be used by GECOM’s CEO, Mr. Lowenfield, to prepare his report that will enable the madam chair to declare the PPP/C party as the winner of the election and paving the way for Dr. Irfaan Ali to be sworn in as the new President. After five long and perilous months, he finally succumbed to the madam chair’s directions.

Lowenfield, who is represented by Attorney Nigel Hughes and Senior Counsel, Neil Boston, was slapped with three private criminal charges regarding conspiracy to commit fraud, misconduct in public office and breach of public trust. The charges were brought by Josh Kanhai and Desmond Morian. The CEO has been accused of attempting to defraud citizens of Guyana by altering the results of the elections to hand a false victory to the APNU+AFC Coalition. After weeks of playing hide and seek, protected by the police and hidden from public access, summons was finally served on him and on his first appearance; he was placed on $450,000 bail. His next appearance is scheduled for today. Meanwhile, his attorneys have written to the Director of Pubic Prosecution (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, S.C, asking her to take over the prosecution of the private criminal charges that were filed against their client, Chief Elections Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Keith Lowenfield, and also asking for a dismissal of all the charges.

Guyana would recall the DPP dismissing the frivolous and vexatious charges brought against GECOM’s chair, Ms. Claudette Singh. Private charges were filed for misconduct in public office and in the midst, there was a threat to her life. Of paramount importance is the fact that the entire national and international community condoned the call for free, fair and creditable election, respecting and accepting CARICOM’s recount result and the support for the madam chair instructions to Lowenfield. Again, they were the front runners who condemned undermining democracy and thwarting the popular will of the people. This led to visa sanctions being placed on many guilty ones and similar commitment by the BCEU partners. Lowenfield and Mingo, instigated and supported by the APNU+AFC party are solely responsible for the election process being dragged out for five months, placing a country at sea and in economic shambles, the refusal of monetary aids and risking the safety of the nation. A firm lesson must be taught, with punishment for future dissonance and pursuance. Appropriate justice must be served accordingly and Guyana awaits this matter to be dealt with swiftly and condignly.

Respectfully,
Jai Lall