–Minister Parag reaffirms commitment to public service during electoral fraud trial

MINISTER of Local Government and Regional Development Sonia Parag, on Friday, completed her testimony in the ongoing electoral fraud trial, using the witness stand to reaffirm her commitment to national service amid cross-examination by defence attorney Eusi Anderson.

The trial, unfolding at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty, involves multiple high-profile officials accused of attempting to manipulate the results of the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

Minister Parag, a former attorney in private practice and a candidate for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) during the elections, told the court that her transition into public office was not driven by personal gain but by her desire to serve the people of Guyana.

In a line of questioning seemingly aimed at uncovering political alignment, Anderson asked whether, during the tenure of the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) government between 2015 and 2020, she held any government contracts or played a role in shaping public policy.

Parag responded firmly, “no sir,” stating that during that period, she neither received nor applied for any government job, nor was she invited by the then government to do so.

She stated that she had been in private legal practice and began offering pro bono legal services to the then Office of the Opposition, led by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), starting in May 2019.

When asked whether she saw her current position as an upgrade from private practice, Parag responded: “Well, I was in private practice. I don’t know what is an upgrade… I moved to a different portfolio, and I was given the opportunity to serve the people, which I took.”

“I’m working like I always do,” she said, maintaining that her work ethic and sense of duty remained consistent across both roles as minister and an attorney.

He then asked whether she considered herself a friend of the APNU+AFC government, to which Parag responded, “I wouldn’t say that.”

Pressed on the differences in her circumstances before and after taking office—including police protection at her home, a diplomatic passport, and access to a state-assigned driver—Parag acknowledged the changes.

She noted that these were the benefits of her ministerial role.

During the exchange, Anderson implied that Parag’s ministerial appointment depended on the PPP/C’s success in the 2020 elections and questioned whether she had a vested interest in the party’s victory.

In response, Parag said: “I had a vested interest in the national issues in the country as a citizen.” When pressed further, she agreed that she would not have been appointed a minister had the PPP/C lost.

Her testimony concluded on Friday, and the matter is scheduled to continue on June 23, 2025.

Those charged with electoral fraud include People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) member Carol Smith-Joseph and former Health Minister under the APNU+AFC government, Volda Lawrence.

Also facing charges are former Chief Elections Officer (CEO) at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Keith Lowenfield; former Deputy CEO Roxanne Myers; and former Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo.

Also charged are former GECOM employees Sheffern February, Enrique Livan, Denise Babb-Cummings, and Michelle Miller.

Collectively, they face 19 conspiracy charges and are represented by a robust defence team.

Due to the charges arising from the same set of circumstances, the matters have been consolidated. Each defendant has pleaded not guilty to the charges and secured their release by posting significant cash bail.

It is the prosecution’s case that each defendant had a “critical role” to play in the wilful endeavour to inflate votes for the APNU+AFC, and deflate votes for the PPP/C.

In the weeks that followed the March 2, 2020, vote, Guyana’s judiciary was inundated with multiple applications and appeals filed by various political actors over the electoral process.

The saga lasted five months before a national recount, led by GECOM and a delegation from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), confirmed the PPP/C’s victory and ultimately led to the swearing-in of President Dr. Irfaan Ali on August 2, 2020.

The recount confirmed that the PPP/C won the elections with 233,336 votes against the APNU+AFC coalition’s 217,920.

The initial elections results, announced by former CEO Lowenfield, claimed an APNU+AFC victory.

The APNU+AFC coalition received 171,825 votes, while the PPP/C received 166,343 votes, according to Lowenfield’s election report.

Following the PPP/C’s return to office in August 2020, criminal charges were filed against the defendants.

GECOM made the decision to terminate the contracts of Lowenfield, Myers, and Mingo in August 2021, after the allegations of fraud came to light.