By Nakasia Logan
February 19, 2025
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA – The 2020 election fraud trial continued for a second day with election observer Rosalinda Rasul completing her testimony under cross-examination by defense attorney Nigel Hughes.
Hughes questioned Rasul’s knowledge of the observer guidelines and her role in the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) observer group.
Rasul stated that she had submitted her own report on the March 2, 2020 elections but was unsure if AmCham had submitted an official report.
She also admitted that while she was aware of the Terms of Reference for local observers, she had never read them and had relied on verbal instructions regarding her responsibilities.
On Tuesday, during her initial testimony, Rasul recounted how former Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo used spreadsheets for vote tabulation despite a court order mandating the use of Statements of Poll (SoPs).
She described the chaotic scene at the GECOM Command Centre on March 4, 2020, highlighting delays, inconsistencies in the number of uncounted ballot boxes, and objections from political party representatives when results were read from a spreadsheet instead of the required SoPs.
Former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield had dismissed concerns, stating that the spreadsheet expedited the process.
The trial, presided over by acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty, involves nine defendants, including PNC/R scrutineer Carol Smith-Joseph, former APNU+AFC Minister Volda Lawrence, former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, and former Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers.
They face 19 conspiracy charges related to the declaration of fraudulent election results.
The case has been adjourned until March 17, when Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Sonia Parag is expected to testify.