Visit to GECOM Headquarters planned as 2020 Elections trial continues

The ongoing trial into the 2020 General and Regional Elections is set to move to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) headquarters on High Street, Kingston, Georgetown on Thursday.

The visit is scheduled for 10:00 hrs and forms part of a court-ordered inspection of key locations linked to the disputed electoral process.

The GECOM headquarters has been described in court as a critical “locus” in the proceedings. A similar visit to another key location, Ashmins Building, which housed the GECOM command center was already visited.

The visit follow confirmation from the GECOM Chair, Ret’d Justice Claudette that access to the headquarters is granted and the visit can be accommodated on Thursday.

It is intended to give the magistrate, prosecution, and defence team a firsthand view into the physical space referenced by witnesses throughout the trial. Attorneys and defendants are expected to be present in person during the visit, where witnesses will also be asked to point out their respective placements and explain operational procedures carried out during the 2020 elections.

Among the witnesses expected to be present are Rosalinda Rasul and Jonathan Yearwood. They have completed their testimony. All of the defendants in the case are also required to be present.

However, acting chief magistrate Faith McGusty informed the court that any new issues arising from the visit may be subject to further cross-examination upon application to the court, although witnesses involved have already completed their testimony.

During the inspection, the court will carry out pointing out, marking, measuring and recording of relevant areas.

Meanwhile, the case case continued on Wednesday with witnesses Bibi Aneishaw Mohamed and Dr Frank Anthony returning to the stand for continued cross-examination by defence attorneys. They have both concluded their evidence too.

Nine individuals are currently before the court charged with conspiring to manipulate the election results in favour of APNU+AFC, allegedly in an attempt to deny victory to the PPP.

Those charged include former government minister Volda Lawrence, former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, former Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, and former Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers, among others.

The controversy surrounding the March 2020 elections delayed the declaration of results for five months, until PPP candidate Irfaan Ali was sworn in as President on August 2, 2020.

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