THE protracted electoral process, which followed the March 2, General and Regional Elections, had “raised eyebrows” not just in Guyana, but internationally, and in order to ascertain exactly what caused the delay in the process, government has committed to launching a Commission of Inquiry (CoI).
The newly-elected People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration, during the five-month impasse, had promised to have a review of the events following polling day, a promise which they hope to fulfill very soon.

“We will be launching a CoI into what took place during the whole period,” said Vice-President, Bharrat Jagdeo, during a press briefing at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, on Friday.
He told reporters that the CoI will include international experts, and the matters arising out of the inquest will form recommendations which will be used to strengthen the local electoral system.

The findings will also be used to hold persons accountable, especially if they were found to be involved in illegal activities.
President of Guyana, Dr. Irfaan Ali, in his inaugural speech, had committed to reviewing the events related to the protracted electoral process, which concluded only on August 2, 2020.

Guyanese, after casting their votes on March 2, 2020, had to endure an unimaginable wait for the results of the General and Regional Elections, as they witnessed unlawful acts and a slew of legal challenges.

“All of us are painfully aware of the trauma and anguish that our people endured over the past five months as vigorous attempts were made to destroy our democratic credentials, and deny the will of the electorate,” said President Ali.
The President said everyone has an obligation to the nation and to themselves, to ensure that there isn’t a repeat of the “unlawful behaviour,” and adversities experienced during the process.

To this end, President Ali said: “Therefore, a review of events – related to the electoral process over the last five months – will begin shortly in order to determine, forensically, exactly what transpired, and to hold accountable any persons who sought to pervert and corrupt the system.”

Earlier in the electoral process, Attorney-at-Law, Charles Ramson Jnr., had filed criminal proceedings against Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, and APNU+AFC’s Volda Lawrence, for the alleged forging of documents so as to defraud the nation.

It was reported that the particulars of the offence state that Mingo, having been procured by Lawrence on or about March 5 at the Command Centre for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on High and Hadfield Streets, uttered to the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, the results for Region Four, knowing it to be forged, with intent to defraud the people of Guyana.

And, in more recent times, Lowenfield appeared before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to answer to three private criminal charges brought against him for alleged fraud and misconduct. He was granted $450,000 bail.

Lowenfield appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty and was not required to plead to the indictable charges. There were two offences of conspiracy to commit a felony and one charge of misconduct in public office. He was granted $150,000 bail on each charge. The CEO is expected to make his next court appearance on August 24.

In addition to those legal challenges, the APNU+AFC coalition has threatened to file an election petition, as part of an attempt to be vindicated about claims that there were irregularities and anomalies in the electoral process.

Despite the threats, President Ali made it clear that he will move forward and pursue the necessary reforms to make Guyana’s democracy stronger and its electoral process more transparent.