The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) has joined mounting calls for Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield to be removed from his post after he submitted yet another report with fraudulent figures to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).
See full statement issued in July 12:
The antics of the Chief Elections Officer, Mr Keith Lowenfield has demonstrated beyond any shadow of doubt that he cannot be expected to discharge his responsibilities in impartial and fair manner. By his very actions, he has undermined the trust placed in him as he has taken on, inexplicably, a partisan demeanour.
Whatever are his motivation/s, they ought not to supersede our democracy and the will of the Guyanese people. It is against this background that, we of the FITUG join the many voices to call for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to act proactively and have Mr Lowenfield, without further delay, removed from his post. He must no
longer have anything to do with the electoral process which has dragged on for more than four (4) months now. His actions certainly have contributed to the state-of-affairs we have found ourselves in.
Mr Lowenfield who has refused, on more than one occasions, to comply with clear instructions,
communicated to him in writing, cannot seek to shield himself by an imagined Constitutional
cloak. This clearly does not exist and he is subordinate to the GECOM and, therefore, is required to comply with every lawful instruction given to him. Our laws are very clear on the consequences of refusal to comply with lawful instructions.
Mr Lowenfield as an administrator, for many years,
would, undoubtedly, be familiar with these repercussions.
The electoral process has gone on for far too long and there is no obstacle that prevents the GECOM from taking decisive action and declaring the results in keeping with the results of the National Recount. No other result is acceptable and people of Guyanese deserve nothing less.
We urge in the coming hours that a competent and impartial Chief Elections Officer be appointed and
prepare the results paving the way for declaration in keeping with the National Recount.
