By Josiah Williams
October 30, 2024
The Elections fraud case, which involves multiple individuals linked to electoral malpractice during the 2020 General and Regional Elections, will be heard on Friday, November 1.
This sitting is crucial as it will determine whether the entire case will need to be retried due to the illness of Magistrate Leron Daly, who was originally assigned to the case.
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, addressed the situation, explaining that if a new magistrate is assigned, the case could potentially start from scratch. Nandlall expressed hope that the necessary decisions regarding the case’s progression will be made on November 1.
The case involves nine individuals who have been charged with electoral fraud related to the tabulation of votes during the 2020 elections.
Among those before the court are former government minister Volda Lawrence, former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, former Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, and former Deputy Chief Election Officer Roxanne Myers.
Other individuals charged include APNU+AFC’s Chief Scrutineer Carol Smith Joseph and former GECOM employees Sheffern February, Enrique Liven, Michelle Miller, and Denise Babb-Cummings.
The charges range from misconduct in public office to uttering forged documents, as well as allegations of attempting to deceive voters by declaring false election results.
With the upcoming 2025 elections on the horizon, the Attorney General expressed concerns about the slow pace of the case and emphasized the importance of justice being served before the next electoral cycle.
To ensure progress, Nandlall outlined that firm timeframes will be established for the continuation of the trials, aiming for a definite schedule that will move the case forward without further delay.