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GECOM probes allegations of irregularities at Mabaruma polls …delays declaration of results

Nov 15, 2018 News

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has launched an investigation into allegations that absentee persons, including someone who died recently, voted in the Municipality of Mabaruma at Monday’s Local Government Elections (LGE).
Kaieteur News understands that attempts were made by the Returning Officer yesterday to declare the results, but several concerned residents signed a petition challenging the authenticity of documents used by proxy voters from the Region One (Barima-Waini) location.
GECOM’s Public Relations Officer, Yolanda Ward said the Commission has received reports and are looking into them.
She indicated that essentially, the allegations are that names are recorded as being voted, but those persons were not in the location. Additionally, there are allegations where persons voted as proxy where they should not have been granted proxy.
The Preliminary results released by GECOM indicated that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) secured eight of the seats compared to four for A Partnership for National Unity (APNU). Most of the claims are being made by APNU supporters.
Residents have alleged that there were just over 90 proxy votes cast and that some of the supporting documents, including letters from employers, were forged. Further, the residents state that they raised the issue with the Returning Officer and asked that he share documentation with them. He also said that the residents needed to secure a petition.
This was done and upon approaching the Returning Officer, they were informed that GECOM’s Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield is the only one that can release the information to them.
According to residents, they suspected that something was amiss when a girl who had died recently, but whose name was still on the voters’ list, was marked as having voted. Residents said that they have letters from employers believed to be forged. The letters were presented as proof that the voters could not exercise their right in person.
It is unclear when GECOM will conclude its investigation.
On Monday, a total of 1,808 votes were cast in the Mabaruma township and 53 ballots rejected.
This is the second time Mabaruma has participated in LGE since it was gazetted as a Town.

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