Amerindian Heritage Pageant: Incorrect tabulation leads to confusion, new queen announced

The Amerindian Affairs Ministry has identified a new winner of the Miss Amerindian Heritage Pageant after a miscalculation during the score tabulation led to the wrong person being named as winner.

Ten women were vying for the title, and the Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) representative was selected as the winner during the pageant on Saturday night. However, after much public outcry about something being amiss, an investigation was launched. The Ministry later said in a statement that the scores were not accurately tabulated. The delegate from Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Kristie Emma Rambharat, was then identified as the queen.
According to the statement, the final scores were tabulated based on a compound scoring system. This included tabulating the total scores for the six segments plus the final question round.
“The Ministry understands that the judges’ decisions are final, however, we wish to point out that the Judges’ score sheets were tabulated incorrectly by the Tally Clerk which resulted in erroneous figures which has affected the outcome of the announced results of the Amerindian Heritage Pageant 2022.”
After the investigation and auditing of the judges’ score sheets, the new totals showed Region Seven with 768 points as the queen for the Miss Amerindian Heritage 2022. Meanwhile, Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) secured 736; Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) with 672, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) with 626.5 and Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) with 626.5.
“This was based on the compound scoring system that was implemented so as not to undermine any efforts of the delegates in every segment… In the circumstances, the Ministry urges the public to display kind candour to each delegate and maintain respect and courtesy to the delegates and the entire production of the Miss Amerindian Heritage Pageant,” said the Ministry said in its statement.
It added, “Most of all, the Ministry wishes to extend greatest gratitude and recognises the hard work, professionalism and dedication displayed by each delegate who participated in the Pageant. This Pageant continues to serve as a platform for empowerment of young Amerindian women across the length and breadth of Guyana.”