A firm lesson must be taught, with punishment for future dissonance and pursuance

Dear Editor,
Outgoing UK Envoy, the British High Commissioner Greg Quinn, fearlessly and vociferously declared, “I have never before seen such blatant attempt to fix election results.”
What strong words to articulate a timely message and urgent advice to the APNU/AFC Party, especially to a defunct leader who aided and abated in the tsunamic disaster of the last elections, bearing destructive and damaging repercussions that have left an indelible and diabolic mark on the GECOM Secretariat, one that must not be allowed to be repeated ever again.
Guyana remains indebted to this dignified gentleman who, in his wisdom and fairness, equality and justice, joined hands with his American, Canadian and European Union counterparts to champion the cause for the restoration of democracy in Guyana; recognising and supporting the legitimate will of the people, and defending the legality of the election Recount result as accredited by CARICOM.
The restless days, sleepless nights, and tremendous sacrifices of the entire national and international community, consisting of emissaries, individuals, societies, organisations and countries, will forever be remembered by all of Guyana; and the heartfelt gratitude and appreciation of Guyanese will continue to flow like the mighty Kaieteur Falls.
“I have been around in this business for 25 years, and I have never seen a post-elections process like I have seen here in those 25 years anywhere,” he further surmised. Perhaps that statement summarises a conclusion that confirms that this type of behaviour and perpetration of election fraud is unheard of in any part of the world, and certainly creates a unique infamous record, one that only the APNU/AFC Party is culpable of, and remains proud of.
This is their only means to forge a fraudulent win to secure power in the Government; one that they so publicly admitted to (Atlanta speech). The rigging was blatantly and glaringly done in the face of the world, and the diplomats themselves witnessed this escapade, executed by Mingo’s numerical fabrication and later supported by Lowenfield’s fiasco reports and endorsed by the APNU/AFC Party.
GECOM accepted the Caricom- scrutinised election Recount result, but this was again challenged more than once by the Coalition Party, all the way to the CCJ; only to be thrown out with their decision that the Recount result is valid and has to be used by the GECOM CEO Mr. Lowenfield to prepare his report that would enable the Madam Chair to declare the PPP/C Party as the winner of the election and pave the way for Dr. Irfaan Ali to be sworn in as the new President.
After five long and perilous months, Lowenfield finally succumbed to the Madam Chair’s directions.
Lowenfield, who is represented by Attorney Nigel Hughes and Senior Counsel Neil Boston, was slapped with three private criminal charges regarding conspiracy to commit fraud, misconduct in public office, and breach of public trust. The charges were brought by Josh Kanhai and Desmond Morian.
The CEO has been accused of attempting to defraud citizens of Guyana by altering the results of the elections to hand a false victory to the APNU/AFC Coalition. After weeks of playing hide-and-seek, protected by the Police and hidden from public access, summons were finally served on him; and on his first appearance, he was placed on $450,000 bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for today.
Meanwhile, his attorneys have written to the Director of Pubic Prosecution (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, S.C, asking her to take over the prosecution of the private criminal charges that were filed against their client, GECOM Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, and also asking for a dismissal of all the charges.
Guyana would recall the DPP dismissing the frivolous and vexatious charges brought against the GECOM Chair, Ms. Claudette Singh. Private charges were filed for misconduct in public office, and in the midst, there was a threat to her life.
Of paramount importance is the fact that the entire national and international communities condoned the call for free, fair, and credible elections; respect for, and acceptance of, the Caricom Recount result; and support for the Madam Chair’s instructions given to Lowenfield.
Again, those communities were the front runners who condemned undermining democracy and thwarting the popular will of the people. This led to visa sanctions being placed on many guilty ones, and similar commitment by the BCEU partners.
Lowenfield and Mingo, instigated and supported by the APNU/AFC Party, are solely responsible for the election process being dragged out for five months, placing the country at sea and in economic shambles, being refused monetary aid and risking the safety of the nation. A firm lesson must be taught, with punishment for future dissonance and pursuance.
Appropriate justice must be served accordingly, and Guyana awaits this matter being dealt with swiftly and condignly.

Respectfully,
Jai Lall