The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) fired back at the Co-Leader of the Working People’s Alliance, David Hinds over his criticism of the Chairman of the Elections Commission.

On his social media talk show, Politics 101, Hinds accused the GECOM Chairman of covering up fraud, while referencing allegations of voter impersonation at the last elections.

Hinds said the Chairman of GECOM, retired Justice Claudette Singh declared the results of an election with knowledge of the potential breach of the law and also voted against an internal review of the 2020 General and Regional Elections by the Commission.

In response, GECOM said the Commission does not have the authority to validate any elections, adding that there is a relentless effort by a few individuals with “malicious intentions”, who continue to repeat such a false narrative.

It said as the agency responsible for the conduct of elections in Guyana, it is mandatory for GECOM to ensure that the public is always accurately guided with regards to the statutory provisions.

The Commission reminded that Article 163 of the Constitution provides that the High Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction to determine any question either generally or in any particular place, about whether an election has been lawfully conducted and whether the result was affected by any unlawful act or omission.

While confirming that it had received copies of documents associated with the alleged voter impersonation, GECOM said it could not have investigated the issue since, according to the Constitution, the only method by which, such a matter could have been ventilated is by way of an election petition. 

“In view of the foregoing Article of the Constitution, there is absolutely no way that GECOM should be accused of ‘cover up of fraud’ as is the case in point,” GECOM said. 

GECOM said it is encouraging all stakeholders to ensure that they conduct thorough legal research  before publishing false information in the public. It said misinformation and disinformation can cause mistrust and lack of confidence in the Commission and harm to its Officials.

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