Sonia Parag Testifies to Election Fraud Discrepancies in Guyana

Sonia Parag testified in court about discrepancies between election vote tabulations and official Statements of Poll during the 2020 Guyanese elections. She noted that the figures relayed favored the APNU+AFC coalition and stressed her objections to the tabulation process. Other accusations involving several electoral officials continue to be addressed as the trial proceeds.

In a significant development regarding the controversial 2020 elections in Guyana, Minister of Local Government, Sonia Parag, provided crucial testimony in court on the inconsistencies between the official Statements of Poll (SOPs) and figures relayed via spreadsheet by certain election officials. This case, currently presided over by Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty, includes charges against various members of the electoral commission and political figures, accused of involvement in election fraud.

Parag, who served as a polling agent for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), recounted the events of March 4, 2020, at the Region Four Command Centre, where she observed glaring discrepancies between the votes being counted by staff from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and the SOPs she held. “From Box 4001, the number that Miss Michelle Miller called, I compared it with the number that I had… and it did not match,” she stated, making it clear that she recognized the discrepancies immediately. Michelle Miller, the election officer in question, faces charges in the ongoing case.

Parag highlighted that the discrepancies in figures disproportionately favored the then-incumbent coalition, A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC), saying that the numbers called resulted in additional votes for the APNU+AFC while reducing the PPP’s totals. “The numbers that were being called by Michelle Miller was actually adding votes for the APNU+AFC and deducting votes for the PPP,” she emphasized to Special Prosecutor Latchmie Rahamat’s inquiries.

She protested every box being tabulated between 4001 and 4021, asserting discrepancies in all cases. Fellow PPP/C agent and current minister, Kwame McCoy, also lodged objections. When a party agent insisted on using the SOPs instead of the irregularly used spreadsheet, Parag described the situation where then Chief Election Officer Keith Lowenfield entered and insisted that the figures matched, a claim that was quickly dismissed by the observers.

It was then that Teni Housty, President of the Guyana Bar Association, had to intervene, reminding the officials of relevant electoral laws before Lowenfield agreed to utilize the SOPs. Once these were employed, the figures reportedly aligned. However, the process hit a snag as the Election Officer slowed the counting, eventually claiming fatigue and stalling the tabulation.

Parag testified that, on March 5, the process did not resume as promised. Instead, she said Roxanne Myers, the Deputy Chief Election Officer, ordered an evacuation of the tabulation center due to an alleged bomb threat, which she dismissed. “I took a seat and stayed there all day,” Parag remarked, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the bomb scare.

When Clairmont Mingo, the Region Four Returning Officer, appeared and attempted to declare results despite the tabulation being incomplete, it ignited immediate objections from Parag and others present. “You cannot do this, Mr. Mingo. The tabulation exercise is not completed for Region 4,” she recalled insisting.

The case has drawn attention to a wider issue of electoral integrity in Guyana, involving prominent figures who allegedly conspired to manipulate the electoral results. The trial has been marred by delays, including the illness of the previous magistrate, necessitating a fresh start under the current Magistrate McGusty. As proceedings continue, the prosecution is set to call Kian Jabour as their next witness, following the conclusion of testimony from AMCHAM observer Rosalinda Rasul in earlier sessions.

Minister Sonia Parag’s testimony brought to light serious discrepancies witnessed during the 2020 elections in Guyana, particularly regarding vote tabulation. Her account indicates systematic discrepancies favoring the then-incumbent coalition, alongside procedural challenges faced while asserting the validity of the election process. This case, steeped in controversy and allegations of manipulation, continues to unfold as the court hears from additional witnesses, highlighting the ongoing struggle for electoral integrity in the region.

Original Source: www.stabroeknews.com