Guyana election trial: Testimony reveals lack of written authorization for handling poll statements

During a trial regarding the 2020 General and Regional Elections, former Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) IT Manager Aneal Giddings provided testimony concerning the handling of Statements of Poll (SOPs). Giddings admitted under cross-examination that he had no written authorization to remain alone with the SOPs for approximately four hours after the tabulation process was halted.

Giddings testified that he received verbal authorization from then Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield to stay with the documents, though he noted this was his first time disclosing the oral authorization publicly. The opposition parties, PNCR and APNU, have argued that the lack of written directives or independent observers during this period raises serious concerns regarding the chain of custody for the electoral documents used in the tabulation of Region Four votes.