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AG’s Chambers says ruling final according to Law
The People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) has filed a notice with the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) asking that the case be considered by the esteemed body. Local legal analysts agree that such notices are often filed when litigants know that they do not have any right of appeal and are essentially forum shopping for another court from which to extract a favourable opinion.
The notice of appeal was filed in the names of Bharrat Jagdeo and Irfaan Ali against Eslyn David, who had brought the initial case before Guyana’s Appeal Court. Among other things, Jagdeo and Ali are seeking an interim order restraining Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield from “issuing his Report pursuant to s. 96 of the Representation of the People Act or any report in reliance on the Decision, inclusive of the modified interpretation of Article 177 (2) (b) of the Constitution of Guyana given by the Court of Appeal, pending the determination of this application…”
The PPPC party leaders find themselves in the unenviable position of arguing that Guyana’s election should allow for the counting of “invalid” votes. Local legal analysts argue that this case, if taken seriously by the CCJ, has serious implications for the future of elections in Guyana and opens the door to massive future electoral fraud by rewarding those who successfully manipulate the electoral system. The duo are also seeking an order restraining GECOM from “taking any further steps to determine whether the recounted votes as tabulated by the Chief Election Officer constitutes “a final credible count”
