Guyana Chief Justice to make initial ruling in election matter on Sunday

Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire says she will rule on Sunday at 1:30 pm on whether she has the jurisdiction to hear an injunction filed by the opposition PPP/C, which seeks to block the declaration of the March 2 general and regional elections, before the conclusion of the verification process.

At an emergency High Court hearing on Saturday, George-Wiltshire also promised to swiftly consider a request by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to throw out orders for it to verify Region Four results before making a declaration.

“I will try to work as assiduously as possible … because, as you know, the nation awaits.”

The several interrelated orders were issued by Justice Navindra Singh on Thursday, minutes after the Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo declared the results.

Despite repeated efforts, High Court Marshalls could not locate Mingo, Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield and GECOM Chairman, Retired Justice Claudette Singh to serve them the orders. Only the six commissioners were served.

Inside the Chief Justice’s courtroom on Saturday, GECOM’s lawyer, Neil Boston said he would contend that the court has no jurisdiction to issue the orders and they should be quashed.

Trinidad and Tobago lawyer, Douglas Mendes is arguing the PPP/S’s position in the case.