GEORGETOWN, Guyana – The Court of Appeal Saturday said it would hand down a ruling on Monday on a motion filed by a private citizen seeking a series of orders to stop the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) from moving ahead with the declaration of the results from the disputed March 2 regional and general elections.
Eslyn David is also seeking to prevent the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, from providing a report as requested by the GECOM chairperson, retired justice Claudette Singh that could pave the way for the official announcement of the election results.
“We will consider the case and give our decision on Monday at half past one. Monday the 22nd June at 1:30 p.m. (local time),” Justice Dawn Gregory after nearly four hours of arguments from lawyers.
The main opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) said that it won the elections based on the national recount of votes that ended on June 9. But the ruling coalition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has said that the polls were filled with irregularities and anomalies and wants it annulled.
David has named Lowenfield, Singh, GECOM and the Attorney General Basil Williams as respondents.
David has mounted her challenge before the appellate court pursuant to Article 177 (4) of the Constitution, which says that that court shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine any question as to the validity of an election of a President in so far as that question depends upon the qualification of any person for election or the interpretation of the Constitution, and any decision of that Court.
In her affidavit, David who said she lives in the capital, Georgetown said that “during the recount, the Guyana Elections Commission were written Letters by the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change, Election Agent, Mr Joseph Harmon in which he pointed out numerous discrepancies and anomalies which impacted on the credibility of the Elections”. (CMC)
