June 13 2020
Chief Election Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield today delivered his report to GECOM Chair Claudette Singh on the 33-day recount of votes and sources tell Stabroek News it says that in each district it cannot be ascertained that the results meet the criteria of free and fair elections.
The report contains the tabulations for the 10 electoral districts and a summary of the controversial observation reports that had been raised by APNU+AFC agents during the 33-day recount of votes from the March 2nd general elections.
Lowenfield’s verdict gels with the line that APNU+AFC has held even though it has presented no evidence to support its findings of fraud. The CEO’s position would constitute an indictment of his own performance at the elections and that of thousands of polling day workers.
The CEO’s position would also pose a major dilemma for the GECOM Chair as her vote will be crucial on the way forward. Observers have said that she only has one choice which is to declare the result.
This report will be deliberated on by GECOM after which it is expected to invite Lowenfield to present the final report for certification.
The CARICOM observer team is also expected to submit its report on the recount shortly.
Lowenfield’s view is different from the OAS which monitored the recount and which said there is a verifiable basis for a result to be declared.
It has also been contended that Lowenfield has no role in providing a verdict on the recount and he simply has to present the tabulations and a précis of the complaints that had been raised during the recount.
GECOM is already under pressure over the fact that its District Four Returning Officer tried to rig elections in favour of APNU+AFC. Lowenfield’s report will be seen as giving succour to APNU+AFC’s fallback position which is that a verifiable election result is not possible and that the elections be annulled. Such powers however don’t lie with GECOM.
The recount result showed a clear win for the PPP/C.
Complaints about elections are usually handled after the results are declared via an election petition.
