Lawyers argue over tendering of 2001 elections results
Guyana Chronicle
October 17, 2002

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LAWYERS on opposite sides in the treason case, argued over the tendering of preliminary results from the March 19, 2001 polls by Chief Elections Officer Gocool Boodhoo, when the pre-trial hearing continued yesterday.

Boodhoo, the tenth witness to be called by the Prosecution at the preliminary inquiry (PI), was about 15 minutes into his testimony when the Defence raised an objection.

Mr Basil Williams, who is leading the team representing political activist Mark Benschop, said the foundation had not been laid for the witness to tender the documentation.

Mr Dharshan Ramdhani, who is associated with Special Prosecutor Sanjeev Datadin, relied on Sections 47 and 90 of the Evidence Act but Wiliams insisted the testament could only be tendered for identification because it was photocopied and not certified.

Williams, replying to Mr Anil Nandalall, also for the Prosecution, maintained, too, that Supreme Court Registrar Sita Ramlall cannot tender a document that is not certified, although Datadin said she would be performing a statutory function as a public officer.

Magistrate Chandra Sohan accepted the preliminary results sheet for identification and said he would give his ruling on the other issue tomorrow.

Earlier, Jaichan Latchman, of the plain-clothes section of the Body Protection Unit of the Presidential Guard, spent more than two hours giving evidence-in-chief and being cross-examined.

During objections by the Prosecution, about the fairness of questions posed him by the Defence, Latchman had to leave the courtroom.

But he reported that, on two occasions, while he was being escorted in and out, he was kicked by an elderly woman sitting inside.

However, when questioned by the magistrate, the woman claimed the witness had walked onto her feet.

The PI continues today with Benschop still alone in the dock and an arrest warrant out for Phillip Bynoe, with whom he is jointly charged.