Election Fraud Trial: Former TNM member Dr Josh Kanhai cross-examined; other key witnesses no-shows

– defence challenges interrogation video admissibility

Proceedings in the election fraud trial resumed on Tuesday, with the continuation of the cross-examination of former The New Movement (TNM) candidate, Dr Josh Kanhai, and a challenge from the defence regarding the admissibility of a video of a Police interrogation of co-defendant Denise Bobb-Cummings.
Dr Kanhai was cross-examined by Defence Attorney Ronald Daniels, detailing the July 9, 2020, national recount, noting that each ballot box was reopened and reviewed in the presence of party agents and observers.

He also cited correspondence between GECOM’s Chair, Justice Claudette Singh, and then-Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, which he said guided the final declaration of results based on recount figures.
The former member of The New Movement Political Party (TNM) was also questioned about his departure from the party and his support for the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in the 2025 elections.
“I’m not aware of the business of The New Movement, as I would have left… due to personal issues with someone who proclaimed to be the leader of TNM. I’m a member of the URP and endorsed the PPP/C for the 2025 elections. I campaigned proudly with the PPP/C for the 2025 elections,” Dr Kanhai noted.
Currently the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government (MOLG), he was the last witness to appear when the case was adjourned on September 26.
In his previous testimony, Dr Kanhai recalled the challenge that ensued after the recount was completed on June 8, 2020, when Lowenfield continued to refuse to prepare an election results report for the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections (GRE) using the correct numbers that were produced in the national recount of all 10 electoral districts.
Instead, Lowenfield persisted in attempts to use the numbers previously produced during Mingo’s tabulation from the Statements of Polls (SoPs).
Lowenfield is among nine individuals currently facing 19 charges of conspiracy to commit electoral fraud for the events that occurred following the March 2, 2020 GRE. The case is proceeding before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty.
Other persons charged include former Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, Deputy CEO Roxanne Myers, former APNU+AFC Minister Volda Lawrence, APNU+AFC Chief Scrutineer Carol Joseph, and former GECOM employees Enrique Livan, Sheffern February, Michelle Miller, and Denise Bobb-Cummings.
The first witness of the morning on Tuesday was Lance Corporal Christopher Douglas, a videographer attached to the Criminal Investigation Department’s Major Crime Unit of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
The Police officer presented video footage of an interview conducted at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on August 31, 2020, with the defendant and former GECOM Clerk Denise Bobb-Cummings.  However, Bobb-Cummings objected to the video being played in court, citing the absence of her attorney during the recording and questioning the footage’s admissibility.
As such, the admissibility of the video would now be determined pending a voir dire after Prosecutor Latchmie Rahamat argued that the video was legitimate evidence and should be admitted.
The sole defence lawyer in court on Tuesday, Ronald Daniels, declined to comment on the evidence without Anderson present. On this note, Magistrate Faith McGusty postponed ruling on the matter, stating that Anderson was not present due to other commitments.
Nevertheless, witnesses Marcia Crawford and Policeman Dale Sam were scheduled to be cross-examined during the afternoon session, but both failed to show up. Mingo and Carol Smith-Joseph were asked if they had any questions for the witnesses, and through their attorney, Nigel Hughes, they replied in the negative.
Hughes had appeared in court during the morning session to indicate his absence and noted that another attorney would be taking his place. However, the attorney failed to show up during the afternoon session. The Magistrate noted that should the attorney wish to cross-examine the witnesses, an application could be made to the court for such, and the afternoon session was adjourned.
The trial is scheduled to continue today with testimonies from three Police officers.