VIDEO RECORDINGS FROM ASHMINS BUILDING CANNOT BE FOUND CEO PERSAUD TELLS ELECTION COI
The Public Hearings of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the March 2020 Elections, opened this Morning Friday, November 4th,2022 in Georgetown, and Guyana’s Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Mr. Vishnu Persaud in taking the Stand as the First Witness, told the Commission that the Security Footage from the Ashmins Building, which served as the Office for Region Four’s Returning Officer (RO), is missing.
Mr. Persaud further told the Three-Members Commission chaired by Retired Justice of Appeal,Mr. Stanley John, as he responded to a series of Questions by the Commission’s lead Attorney, Trinidad and Tobago Senior Counsel Ms. Sophia Chota, that : “Nobody seems to know when the Cameras were removed, nor where the Footage might be.”
Mr Persaud said further, that upon enquiring about the Security Footage after he took Office, he was informed that the Security Cameras were installed in the Ashmins Building ahead of the March 2nd, 2020 Elections, upon the instruction of the then, Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield.He also said Information received upon his appointment as CEO, suggests that a Private Service Provider had installed the Cameras, but it is unclear when the Cameras were removed.The Ashmin’s Building was rented for the Region Four’s 2020 Elections Office.
The CEO also told the Commission that Computers at GECOM’s Secretariat were also wiped clean.
“When I assumed Office, in the Office of the Chief Elections Officer…all of the Computers were wiped clean,” he further disclosed.
In the initial Stage of his Testimony, Mr Persaud, who was appointed CEO by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) in December 2021, detailed Aspects of the Country’s Electoral Process, from the compilation of the Preliminary List of Electors, to Polling Day, as he responded to Questions posed by both the Counsel, and Commission.
In identifying Clairmont Mingo as the then Region Four’s Returning Officer, Mr Persaud said based on established Protocols, the Results of the Votes cast at the Regional Level, could not have been declared, without the completion of the Tabulation Process.
These Proceedings will be open to the Public, and live-streamed, for Persons to view. Hearings are expected to be completed by the end of January 2023, and a Report estimated to be submitted by the end of March 2023.
The Commission’s Secretary Javed Shadick also stated that Witnesses are coming forward willingly. He said the Commission has not subpoenaed anyone; however, Persons were invited to participate in the Proceedings.
On September 13th, 2022, His Excellency, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali established the Presidential CoI., to inquire into what transpired during the General, and Regional Elections of March 2nd, 2020.
The CoI., will make Recommendations as it deems fit, and necessary, to permit the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to discharge it’s constitutional Functions in a manner that is impartial, fair, and compliant with the Law.
Evidence during Inquiry will be led by Trinidadian Senior Counsel Sophia Chota, Natasha Veira, and Keoma Griffith.
President Ali had said that the Findings will be used to hold Persons accountable, especially if they are found to be involved in any Attempts to rig the Polls.
