JUSTICE (ret’d) Claudette Singh, Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), has issued a statement addressing comments made by GECOM Commissioner, Vincent Alexander, on the Freddie Kissoon show aired on November 13.

Alexander claimed that the GECOM Chair did not provide the CARICOM Scrutineering team with a list from the Immigration Department of individuals reportedly outside of Guyana during the last election. This omission, he implied, suggested a possible ulterior motive on the part of Justice Singh.

In response, Justice Singh emphasised that Alexander’s assertions were misleading, baseless, and not grounded in legal requirements. She explained that Order 60 of 2020, which authorised a National Recount of the election results, specified that GECOM would conduct, execute, and supervise the recount, with oversight by a CARICOM-appointed team. The CARICOM team’s role, however, was strictly to scrutinise the recount process, not to validate or investigate individual voter eligibility.

Justice Singh clarified that, under the Constitution of Guyana, only the High Court has the exclusive authority to determine the validity of an election, as per Article 163. The Validity of Elections Act, Chapter 1:04, further defines the legal process for such determinations.

In light of these constitutional provisions, Justice Singh dismissed Alexander’s implication as unfounded, stating that it appears to have been an attempt to mislead the public and create unnecessary confusion. She reiterated that the recount process was conducted in accordance with the law, with the CARICOM team fulfilling its designated role in observing the process, while matters concerning voter eligibility remain within the High Court’s jurisdiction.

Justice Singh’s statement underscores the importance of accurate information and clarity in election processes, affirming GECOM’s commitment to transparency and adherence to the legal framework governing elections in Guyana.