GECOM must not allow Lowenfield’s Jim Crow fraud

Dear Editor,
I studied and taught American politics and history, especially on disenfranchising black Americans. Lowenfield’s report disenfranchising 115K voters is reminiscent of what used to happen to black Americans, descendants of African slaves.
Racism was exposed and condemned during the American Civil Rights Struggle, and the right of minorities to vote was enforced by the white-dominated courts and election commissions.

And to think that elements of Jim Crowism could play out in faraway Guyana, where the CEO (leaving out Region 4’s Mingo for now), one descendant of slaves, has attempted to disenfranchise other descendants of slaves, indentured servants, and indigenous people, whose ancestors were decimated by European conquerors, is so unjust and immoral.
Lowenfield is attempting a legal means of voter fraud (thanks to an opening by Court of Appeal ruling). White judges in courts in the US struck down fraud against blacks. What kind of a character would want to deny people their right to a vote to which they are entitled and earned? This is not different from what took place under Burnham-Hoyte dictatorships, when voters were disenfranchised.

The right to vote and have such vote counted is sacrosanct, and is a cornerstone of a democracy. Yet, in several parts of the US, voter suppression and vote invalidation against blacks occurred in elections until recent times. When I was a student in college, especially when I was elected to student governments, serving in various positions as Senator, Vice President, Councillor, President, Treasurer, I championed funds to combat voter fraud, and also personally joined the battle against voter suppression of minorities.

The nation must come out strongly against voter fraud and disenfranchisement, like not counting 115K votes. Lowenfield was CEO; he was responsible for election day activities. He must be held accountable for errors and problems of the day. He had a duty and obligation to speak out against irregularities at that time, not three months later. (He did not condemn other attempted vote count frauds of Mingo).
After a count and recount that validates votes, issues pertaining to irregularities can only be brought up in an election petition in the High Court.

In taking a personal decision of what is a valid vote not allowed by law, Lowenfield has rolled back people’s rights as voters. He is engaged in an arbitrary interpretation of valid votes not different from red neck white racists in America, who took similar actions to disenfranchise blacks to hand favoured white candidates victories.
Lowenfield’s action must be condemned by all supporters of democracy, regardless of political affiliation. He is no different from red neck whites. GECOM Chair Claudette Singh must not tolerate this fraud, and must move quickly to sanction Lowenfield and dump his fraud. And the CCJ must immediately reverse the ruling that Lowenfield feels gives him an opening to practise Jim Crow fraud.

Yours truly,
Dr Vishnu Bisram