The Guyana Elections Commission today terminated the contract of Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers, and Returning Officer for Region 4, Clairmont Mingo.

The three were terminated in keeping with the provision of their contracts. They will be leaving the Commission with all of their benefits.

When the Commission met today, the original motion seeking their dismissal was withdrawn and a motion seeking the termination of their contracts was put to the Commission and a vote was called.

The three PPP Government nominated Commissioners who presented the motion voted for the terminations, the Opposition nominated Commissioners abstained from the vote and the Chairman of the Elections Commission, Justice Claudette Singh sided with the Government Commissioners and also voted for the dismissal.

APNU+AFC nominated Commissioner Vincent Alexander said the contracts allow for termination without cause.

“I would say at the end of the day, what has occurred is a reflection of what the contracts provide for and unfortunately that aspect of the law does not provide for cause or reason and so that’s it, fait accompli, that was used by the state against all of the people for whatever reason wish not to see their employment”, Alexander told News Source.

However, he noted that in the case of the Chief Elections Officer, his contract calls for cause to be given for the contract termination. However, he said that is an issue that Lowenfield and his Attorneys will have to take up with the Elections Commission.

Alexander said the Commission will now have to move to replace the three officers and he is not sure how soon that process will get underway and completed.

“I think the Elections Commission has to move expeditiously. However, I have reservations about whether we have sufficient time to make the deadline for (Local) elections”, Alexander said.

Local Government elections in Guyana are constitutional due before the end of this year.

Earlier this week, Lowenfield withdrew a Court matter that he had filed to block his dismissal from the Elections Commission. He made the change after the PPP Commissioners amended their motion for his dismissal, replacing summary dismissal with termination in keeping with the contracts, allowing for all of the benefits to be provided following termination.

Lowenfield, Myers, and Mingo are currently before the Courts facing various charges related to misconduct in public office and allegations of fraud related to last year’s general elections.

In all of the Court matters, they have declared their innocence of the charges.

Related posts:

Lowenfield withdraws Court action seeking to block his dismissal Lowenfield, Myers and Mingo sent on leave; GECOM still to decide on hearing motion for their dismissal PPP nominated Commissioners at GECOM table motion to dismiss Lowenfield GECOM renews Lowenfield’s contract as Chief Elections Officer