Auditor General still awaiting response from Chief Election Officer on special probe findings

Months after the final reports of the completed special investigations were handed over to Gecom’s Chief Election Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield no response has yet been received, Auditor General Deodat Sharma said on Wednesday.

Sharma subsequently expressed hope that the recent appointment of a new Chairman and a replacement commissioner would propel the delivery of responses from Lowenfield.

The findings of the investigations, which pertain to the purchase of radio sets, the acquisition of ink toners and cartridges and the procurement of 2,400 nippers/pliers prior to the 2015 general and regional elections, have raised eyebrows and exposed serious breaches of procurement rules. These include apparent contract splitting, the supply of goods before a contract was signed and in one case the