Three days into the trial of 9 persons for their alleged involvement in conspiring to defraud the electorate during the 2020 Elections, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo wants the presence of the International Community in the local Court to observe the trial.
At his press conference this afternoon, Mr Jagdeo said that given the Diplomatic Community’s “high interest” in the controversial 2020 Elections, he believes it is only fair that they be invited to observe the trial.
“It is crucial that we pursue this pathway, if for only one reason, to ensure that people don’t act or public officers do not act with impunity in the future, where they are invested with either a responsibility by law or the constitution and in this case, in a partial manner, discharge that responsibility and in a corrupt manner. And therefore, it is crucial that we have the international community looking at it,” the Vice President told reporters.
The Electoral Fraud trial commenced on Monday in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Leron Daly.
Nine persons, including former Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield; former Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO), Roxanne Myers and Region 4 Returning Officer (RO), Clairmont Mingo are accused of conspiring, in an attempt, to declare fraudulent results, during the course of the 2020 Elections, in favor of the then ruling party, the APNU+AFC.
With the trial just three days in, it appears as though the Vice President is not pleased with proceedings.
Today, he expressed concern that repeated objections by the Defense are being entertained by the Court. Jagdeo said the objections have the potential to further delay the case. It is a similar position that has been taken by the Special State Prosecutor in the matter.
“The defense lawyers for the people who have been charged have tried all sorts of delaying tactics and they have succeeded thus far. The last attempt was dismissed by the Chief Justice and the trial has started, and you will see a similar pattern now, and the frustration express by the prosecution that, on numerous occasions, uncalled for, that the defence lawyers, are again trying to stall the trial by making frivolous objections, and often these objections are entertained,” the Vice President said.
Already, the Vice President is predicting that the case will find its way before the Caribbean Court of Jusrice, which is Guyana’s final Court of Appeal.
Magistrate Daly, in presiding over the matter, has deemed certain evidence provided by witnesses to be inadmissible – an issue the Prosecution continues to challenge.
Weighing in on the issue, Mr. Jagdeo said if omissions will be made at the level of the Magistrate’s Court, it is important for the public to have a full picture of the evidence presented.
“It is crucial that the records be in the public domain, if they are not going to be kept in the court, so that what is presented and the testimony of the witnesses will be available in the media, and else where so when ultimately it gets to the CCJ, that the full picture of the testimony discounting all of the objections, and suppression of the evidence, that that would be available to the judges, and that there be no doubt as to what was prevented, the fullness of the case, and it’s a robust case,” the Vice President said.
The Vice President has urged citizens to follow the case closely.
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