Elections COI aims for fairness and impartiality; To submit report by March 2023

Chairman of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry, Stanley John

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the March 2, 2020, elections and its surrounding events will aim for fairness, objectivity, and impartiality.

This is according to the Chairman of the Commission, Stanley John, during the opening of the hearing on Thursday.

“This is a serious and heavy responsibility. It is a responsibility that 1, and my fellow Commissioners, intend to discharge carefully, with professionalism, efficiency, thoroughness, fairness, objectivity and impartiality.”

In this regard, the Chairman said he would ensure that the report of the inquiry is scrupulously fair both in terms of an accurate recording of the events and persons involved.

“In making our findings we will have regard only to such matters as are substantiated by credible evidence, with unstinting regard for the rules of natural justice, fundamental fairness especially as it relates to public inquiries and the rule of law.”

The Commissioners will aim to complete these hearings by the end of January 2023 and submit their report to the President by the end of March 2023, barring any developments that might change this schedule.

This COI was a promise by President Irfaan Ali following the March 2020 election impasse, which saw results being declared some five months later.

Among other things, according to the Terms of Reference (TORs), the Commissioners will inquire into the matters set out by President Ali and include an inquiry into and report upon the relevant circumstances and events leading up to and the procedures following the Regional and General Elections.