General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party, Bharrat Jagdeo while expressing disappointment with the ruling of the Court of Appeal this afternoon said the Elections Commission has already determined the valid votes in the elections and he believes it is time for the Commission to move ahead with its declaration.

In a statement on his party’s Facebook page, Mr. Jagdeo said “validity of the votes have already been determined and they have recorded in all of the statutory forms. So there is nothing that stops the declaration at this point in time. No Court ruling, No Court order. They cannot take away the powers of the Commission and vest it in Lowenfield or in Congress Place”.

In a majority ruling this afternoon, the Court of Appeal determined that the words “more votes than” as stated in the Constitution are interpreted to mean “more valid votes” and the Elections Commission by its own order will have to establish the credibility of the elections based on valid votes.

Mr. Jagdeo said the ruling does not change much, but his lawyers are looking at taking the matter to the Caribbean Court of Justice which he believes has jurisdiction to hear an appeal.

“We believe and we know that the CCJ has jurisdiction on this matter and we believe that this ruling will be set aside and this ruling itself does not prevent from making a declaration now on the basis on what they have already determined and on the basis of total valid votes”, Jagdeo said.

He said he maintains that there is nothing preventing a declaration to be made by the Commission. He also lashed out at the APNU+AFC Coalition claiming that it has been misleading its supporters while attempting to hold on to power.

Related posts:

CCJ expected to hear election declaration appeal on July 1, Stay Order expected to be issued tomorrow Jagdeo and Ali heading to CCJ to challenge Court of Appeal ruling Appeal Court determines more votes cast means more valid votes Appeal Court to hand down ruling on Monday in Election Declaration case