“I took the opportunity to serve” – Parag during cross-examination

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Sonia Parag has reaffirmed that her leap from private legal practice into the political arena was anchored in a desire to contribute to national service, not personal gain. Her testimony was delivered on Friday during a session of the high-profile electoral fraud case currently being heard before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
Parag, who had offered pro bono legal aid to the then Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) beginning in May 2019, took the witness stand as part of the ongoing trial involving several former electoral and Government officials accused of attempting to distort the outcome of Guyana’s March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

Under pointed cross-examination by defence counsel Eusi Anderson, Parag was asked whether she had ever benefitted from state contracts or participated in public policy during the tenure of the previous A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Administration, which held office from 2015 to 2020.
She responded assertively, “No sir,” adding that she was never approached nor did she seek employment or involvement in policymaking during that period.
“I was in private practice,” she said plainly, describing her life before politics. When asked if stepping into ministerial office marked Wan elevation in her professional standing, she replied, “I moved to a different portfolio, and I was given the opportunity to serve the people, which I took.”

She further explained, “I’m working like I always do,” emphasising that her professional dedication and work ethic remained unchanged whether as a legal practitioner or a Government Minister.
Anderson asked if she regarded herself as a “friend” of the former APNU+AFC Administration. Parag simply responded, “I wouldn’t say that.”
Her testimony wrapped up Friday afternoon, with the case scheduled to resume on June 23, 2025.
This trial stems from a series of events following Guyana’s 2020 general elections, during which multiple officials now face serious charges. Among the accused are prominent People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) member Carol Smith-Joseph and former Health Minister under the previous Government, Volda Lawrence. Also in the dock are ex-Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, former Deputy CEO Roxanne Myers, and Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, all of whom held critical roles in the electoral process.
Former staff of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Sheffern February, Enrique Livan, Denise Babb-Cummings, and Michelle Miller are also facing charges. The accused, who collectively face 19 charges related to conspiracy to commit fraud, are all out on bail, having denied the allegations.
According to the prosecution’s case, each individual played an instrumental part in an orchestrated effort to inflate votes for the APNU+AFC coalition and suppress votes cast for the PPP/C.
The disputed outcome of the March 2 polls sparked a months-long standoff, triggering a flurry of court actions by political stakeholders. The situation was only resolved after a national recount, overseen by CARICOM, confirmed the PPP/C’s win with 233,336 votes, surpassing APNU+AFC’s 217,920.
In stark contrast, the earlier report submitted by then-CEO Lowenfield claimed victory for the APNU/AFC coalition, citing vote totals of 171,825 for APNU+AFC and 166,343 for the PPP/C, figures that were eventually discredited.
Following the return of the PPP/C to Government in August 2020, criminal proceedings were launched against the implicated individuals. Subsequently, GECOM terminated the employment contracts of Lowenfield, Myers, and Mingo in August 2021 as the allegations of misconduct took center stage.
The consolidated trial continues to attract public attention as it delves into what has been described as one of Guyana’s most consequential electoral controversies.