Latest update March 1st, 2026 12:40 AM
Former Home Affairs minister Robeson Benn begins testimony in elections fraud trial
(Kaieteur News) – Former Minister of Home Affairs and current Senior Advisor to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, has started testifying in the ongoing 2020 General and Regional Elections fraud trial at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
Benn began his testimony on Thursday and is scheduled to continue on March 27.
Former Home Affairs minister Robeson Benn
The defendants in the matter include former Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield; former District Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo; former Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers; former Minister of Health Volda Lawrence; APNU+AFC Chief Scrutineer Carol Smith Joseph; and former GECOM employees Sheffern February, Michelle Miller, and Denise Babb-Cummings.
They are accused of conspiring between March 2 and August 2, 2020, at the Ashmins Building in Georgetown to manipulate election results, allegedly defrauding electors across Guyana.
Benn’s account of the 2020 tabulation process
During his testimony, Benn detailed widespread disruptions that occurred during the March 2020 elections, including disputes over the tabulation process, a controversial declaration of results, and incidents involving the GECOM Chair.
In 2020, Benn served as a GECOM Commissioner appointed by the Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C). He explained that part of his responsibility during the elections was authenticating Statements of Poll (SOPs) before they were submitted to the Chief Elections Officer. One copy, he said, would go to then CEO Keith Lowenfield, while others were forwarded to the Region Four Returning Officer for tabulation as part of what he described as the “parallel process.”
According to Benn, concerns arose on March 3 when “incorrect figures” were allegedly entered into the tabulation system. He told the court that PPP/C representatives objected to the discrepancies, while APNU representatives raised no objections at that stage.
Benn also addressed the interruption of the tabulation process after Clairmont Mingo reported feeling unwell. He testified that Mingo was escorted to an ambulance but maintained that “nothing was wrong with him.” Mingo later returned that same evening and resumed his duties.
However, Benn said further disputes emerged as the numbers being called out and entered into the system allegedly did not match the SOPs held by opposition representatives. The situation escalated, leading to chaos within the GECOM Command Centre.
By March 5, tensions had intensified, culminating in international observers walking out, effectively crumpling the tabulation process.
Benn described how Mingo attempted to declare results for Region Four amid the disorder, standing on the staircase of the command centre as police later intervened and escorted him away. The declaration, he said, was made in an atmosphere of shouting and confusion.
He also testified about an incident involving the GECOM Chair, stating that a commissioner aligned with APNU+AFC allegedly blocked her from leaving her room by standing in the doorway, leading to a brief struggle before she was able to exit. Benn told the court he took photographs during the disturbances, which were presented as part of his testimony.
Voir dire proceedings continue
On Friday, the court proceeded with a voir dire to determine the admissibility of certain evidence. Witnesses listed include Police Lance Corporal Sherwin Benjamin; Inspector Nigel Stephens; Assistant Superintendent of Police Komal Pitama; Detective Senior Superintendent Mitchell Caesar, Deputy Crime Chief and Head of the Major Crimes Unit; Detective Superintendent Rodwell Sarabo; and Detective Inspector Shane James.
Although Benn had been expected to continue his testimony on Friday, he was unable to do so.
The matter has been adjourned to March 27 and 30, 2026, for the continuation of the voir dire proceedings. Additional trial dates have been set for April 27 and 30; May 18–22; and June 15–19, with further hearings scheduled for June 22–26.
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