Private criminal charges filed against GECOM Chair Claudette Singh for “misconduct in public office”

The three persons, Keith Ondaan of Linden, Onita Walcott of Victoria and Lorraine Joseph of Melanie East Coast of Demerara, are all accusing Justice Singh of misconduct in public office contrary to the common law.

Private criminal charges filed against GECOM Chair Claudette Singh for “misconduct in public office”

Two citizens have filed private criminal charges against the Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission, retired Justice, Claudette Singh.

The two persons, Keith Ondaan of Linden and Onita Walcott of Victoria are all accusing Justice Singh of malfeasance in public office contrary to the common law.

Although the charges are the same, they are related to three different events.

According to the Linden resident Keith Ondaan, Justice Singh acted recklessly and unlawfully when she refused the advice of the GECOM Legal Officer and the Chief Parliamentary Counsel who both raised concerns and legal issues about the recount being conducted before a declaration of the elections.

It is further alleged by Victoria resident Onita Walcott that the GECOM Chair was reckless and acted unlawfully when she allegedly breached the recount order.

The three charges come just one week after the Chief Election Officer was forced to face the Court in private criminal charges filed against him by a candidate of The New Movement Party and an activist of the PPP.

He was placed on $450,000 bail and will have to return to Court in mid-August for the continuation of the case.

Justice Singh is expected to report to Court in early August to face the private charges.

The charges come at a time when the Elections Commission is still to make a final declaration of results. The results have been forced several times to be put on hold because of various court actions.

The GECOM Chair wants the Chief Elections Officer to use the recount figures to compile his final report. That issue is currently before the Court of Appeal and a ruling is expected on Thursday.

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