Elections probe interested only in `truth’ – Chair

The Chairman, Justice Stanley John (centre) and the Commissioners, Justices Godfrey P Smith (right) and Carl Singh at the opening of the CoI.

Public hearings for the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the controversial March 2020 general elections will commence today and Chairman, Justice (retired)  Stanley John stressed that the probe is only interested in the “truth” and “what in fact occurred”.

“We stress that in an inquiry of this nature there is no claimant and defendant, no prosecutor or accused, no pleadings, charges or indictments. This is an inquiry to find out what in fact occurred, why it occurred, who, if anyone is responsible and what can be done to prevent a recurrence,” Justice John said while delivering a statement at the opening of the CoI yesterday morning.

According to Justice John, the aim of the Commissioners is to complete hearings by the end of January 2023 and submit a report to President Irfaan Ali by the end of March, 2023. “Barring any developments that might change this schedule,” he said.