Elections Returning Officer for Region Four, Clairmont Mingo was marched before the Chief Magistrate this morning and slapped with four charges of misconduct in public office related to allegations of fraud in the 2020 elections.
He was granted bail in the sum of $150,000 on each of the four charges.
The Prosecution’s case is that during the period of the elections in Guyana, Mr. Mingo conducted himself improperly while holding office of the Returning Officer.
His Attorney Darren Wade told reporters that as part of the bail package, Mr. Mingo will have to present himself to the Police every Friday and will also have to lodge his passport.
Mingo was arrested last Tuesday as the Police launched what it called a “comprehensive” investigation into the allegations of fraud during the 2020 elections.
Mingo should have been released from Police custody on Saturday when the 72 hour period of him being in custody expired, but the Police kept him in custody and filed the charges.
Four other GECOM staffers were also arrested and are facing charges in connection with the same allegations. At least two of them were held beyond the 72-hour period and their Attorney has raised concern about that.
Outside the Magistrates’ Court this morning, a large number of persons gathered including former Government Ministers.
The APNU+AFC nominated members of the Guyana Elections Commission were also at the Courthouse to observe the proceedings.
They have expressed concern of their own about the Police investigation and the detention of staff members of the Elections Commission.
The probe into allegations of electoral fraud was triggered by private criminal charges filed by PPP Member Charles Ramson Jr. since March.
The DPP took over the case just over a week ago and directed the Police to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the allegations.
Mingo will make his next Court appearance at the end of September.
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