Election fraud trial: “Scandalous” question sparks outrage from prosecution during cross-examination

– site visit to GECOM HQ scheduled for today

The 2020 elections fraud trial continued on Wednesday with former People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) elections agent Bibi Anieshaw Mohamed being cross-examined before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty.
Mohamed was questioned by attorneys-at-law Nigel Hughes and Ronald J Daniels, with much of the session marked by objections and interventions from the court.
During questioning, Daniels questioned Mohamed about her appointment as Director of the Guyana Learning Channel, including whether she had any relevant experience in that field or was aware of anyone else being considered for the position.
Mohamed responded that she was not aware and indicated that she had been invited to serve in the role by former Education Minister Priya Manickchand. Tensions rose in the courtroom when Daniels asked Mohamed whether she was related to Manickchand.
“Were you aware of any public assertion that you were related to Minister Manickchand? Yes, thank you ever so much. And are you aware of Minister Manickchand inviting anyone else to fill the role of the director of the Learning Channel?” Mohamed responded, saying that she was aware of the assertion but was unaware if anyone else was invited to fill the role.
However, the question drew an immediate objection from Special Prosecutor Dharshan Ramdhani, who told the court, “This is a scandalous question, and I object to the question being posed. It’s not relevant at all to this case.”
Magistrate McGusty subsequently instructed that the question be clarified. Daniels later asked Mohamed whether she believed Guyana to be a democratic state, to which she responded, “In its current state, yes.”
When it was suggested that she was referring to governance under the PPP/C Administration, Mohamed clarified that her view was based on the outcome of the 2020 elections, stating that democracy was restored following the recount process.
Further objections arose when Daniels questioned Mohamed about her views on the justice system. Prosecutor Ramdhani again objected and argued that the line of questioning was irrelevant and cautioned that it sought to elicit opinion-based responses from the witness.
The defence also turned to Mohamed’s social media activity, suggesting she may have made a post calling for those involved in the 2020 elections to be held accountable.
Mohamed acknowledged making a post stating, “Let’s quit the delay tactics and proceed with holding people accountable for what occurred in the 2020 General and Regional Election,” but denied that it was a call for the conviction of the defendants, telling the court, “No, I did not.”
At one point, Magistrate McGusty urged the witness to respond more directly after a delay in answering.
In the second half of the proceedings, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony was also cross-examined by attorney Eusi Anderson, maintaining that his evidence was confined to what he personally observed during the national recount at the tabulation centre.
Pressed on whether he had witnessed any of the defendants conspiring to rig the March 2020 General and Regional Elections, Dr Anthony gave a direct denial, stating, “No.” He further told the court that he did not hear any discussions or actions suggestive of conspiracy during the period he was stationed in the tabulation room, saying: “For the period that I was in the tabulation room, I did not hear.”
He maintained throughout that his testimony was limited strictly to the recount process and what transpired within that environment.
Meanwhile, the trial for the disputed 2020 General and Regional Elections is expected to shift from the courtroom setting today, Thursday, April 30, 2026, to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) headquarters at High Street, Kingston, Georgetown, where the court will carry out a scheduled inspection of key locations linked to the case.
The exercise, set for 10:00h, follows earlier judicial visits to sites referenced in the proceedings, including the Ashmins Building, which previously served as the GECOM command centre during the electoral process.
The headquarters has been identified in evidence as a central “locus” in the matter, with multiple witnesses having referred to its layout and operational functions during testimony. The visit comes after confirmation from GECOM Chair, Ret’d Justice Claudette Singh, that the premises will be accessible to the court on the agreed date.
The inspection is intended to allow the magistrate, prosecution, and defence teams to physically examine and better understand the environment described by witnesses throughout the trial. Attorneys, defendants, and relevant witnesses are expected to be in attendance.
Witnesses who have already completed their testimony, including Rosalinda Rasul and Jonathan Yearwood, are also expected to be present, alongside all nine defendants in the matter.
Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty has indicated that any issues arising from the site visit may, if necessary, be the subject of further cross-examination upon application, despite the completion of witness testimony.
During the exercise, the court will undertake pointing out, marking, measuring, and recording significant areas connected to the electoral operations.
Meanwhile, proceedings continued on Wednesday with Bibi Anisha Mohamed and Dr Frank Anthony returning to the witness box for further cross-examination by defence counsel before concluding their evidence.
Nine persons are currently on trial, accused of conspiring to manipulate the outcome of the March 2020 elections in favour of the APNU+AFC coalition, allegedly in an effort to prevent a victory by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).
Among the accused are former Minister Volda Lawrence, former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, former Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, and former Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers.
The election controversy resulted in a prolonged delay in the declaration of results, which eventually saw PPP/C candidate Mohamed Irfaan Ali sworn in as President on August 2, 2020.