Tense Cross-Examination Marks Day 18 of Election Fraud Trial
Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News
Day 18 of the ongoing election fraud trial saw 93-year-old Kit Nascimento, an adviser to President Irfaan Ali and a self-described independent observer during the 2020 general elections, return to the witness stand for intense cross-examination by defense attorneys.
Nascimento was questioned by Attorneys Eusi Anderson and Dexter Todd on Thursday regarding his neutrality and alleged political affiliations during and after the disputed 2020 elections.
When asked whether his views on the government remained unchanged following the no-confidence vote of 2018 and the post-election period, Nascimento responded:
“I prefer not to express those views.”
The response prompted Anderson to object, accusing the witness of evading questions unfavorable to the prosecution. Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty noted the refusal and stated that the court and defense were free to draw inferences from the non-response.
Nascimento confirmed that he has a job description in his current role as an adviser to the president, but declined to disclose it, saying:
“I am under no obligation to disclose that.”
Magistrate McGusty reminded the witness of his duty to answer relevant questions, warning that continued noncompliance could influence the court’s interpretation of his credibility.
When asked about the swearing-in of the PPP/C government on August 2, 2020, Nascimento responded:
“The right government was elected.”
Attorney Anderson challenged the neutrality of the Private Sector Commission (PSC)—of which Nascimento was aligned at the time—suggesting that its actions during the election period were contrary to the interests of the APNU+AFC coalition. Nascimento rejected the claim, calling it:
“Totally offensive and insulting.”
Attorney Todd then shifted focus to the core of the prosecution’s case—alleged conspiracy and vote manipulation. When asked whether he had direct evidence that the accused persons changed numbers or agreed to do so, Nascimento responded with a firm “no” to both.
The case involves several former GECOM officials and political operatives, facing a total of 19 charges related to electoral fraud. The prosecution is expected to call approximately 73 witnesses as the trial continues.
