Opposition Leader Joe Harmon has called out the Private Sector Commission over its call for various staff members of the Elections Commission to be replaced before the country moves into preparations for local government elections.

In a statement, the Opposition Leader described the Private Sector Commission’s position as political posturing for favours from the incumbent regime.

“The APNU+AFC is not surprised but is astonished that the Private Sector Commission (PSC) is now openly advocating the PPP regime’s position and calling for the removal of certain members of staff of the Elections Commission using the trumped up charges against them as the pretext to get rid of them. This is wicked and unacceptable. The APNUAFC condemns this type of political posturing by the PSC”, Harmon noted.

While charges have been filed against a number of GECOM officers and officials in connection with alleged fraud at the 2020 general elections, none of the trials have started and all of those charged have professed their innocence.

Mr. Harmon said the rule of law must be followed.

“It is apposite to remind the PSC that the rule of law must prevail and that these persons are presumed as innocent until proven guilty.It must be stated also, that the recount of Votes cast at 2^nd March, 2020 elections revealed evidence of widespread fraud on the part of the PPP and that the Elections Petition before the courts will reveal that the PPP were caught rigging those Elections. In the circumstance, the courts should be allowed to do its job and let the law take its course. The PSC should therefore restrain itself and stop acting as the mouthpiece of the PPP regime.”

Mr. Harmon reminded the PSC that an election petition is the way to deal with irregularities in an election.

The PSC, he said, cannot and must not pronounce on the conduct of elections since that should be left to the Courts.

Harmon accused the Private Sector Commission of acting like a puppet on a string for the PPP.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Elections Commission today announced that the Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield is on accumulated leave that he applied for and was granted.

In a statement, the Commission shot down a report in the state-owned Chronicle which claimed that Lowenfield was sent on leave by the GECOM Chair.

The Commission made it clear that Mr. Lowenfield’s leave was owed to him and he was granted the same.

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