Former GECOM legal officer sues elections body, CEO for defamation

Former Legal Officer of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Attorney-at-Law Kurt Anthony Da Silva, has filed a defamation lawsuit against GECOM and its Chief Election Officer, Vishnu Persaud, over statements related to the non-renewal of his contract.
According to court documents filed in the High Court, Da Silva claims that public statements made by the Commission and Persaud have damaged his personal and professional reputation.
The lawsuit centres on two statements: one issued by Persaud on March 20, 2025, and another by GECOM on April 9, 2025.
Da Silva alleges the statements falsely accuse him of acting beyond his authority and making unauthorised legal submissions that could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
The April 9 GECOM press release cited “new circumstances” following a performance appraisal and suggested Da Silva’s court submissions risked postponing elections and causing governance instability.
Persaud’s March 20 statement, posted on GECOM’s website and social media and shared by Attorney General Anil Nandlall, denied authorising Da Silva’s court submissions and said they misrepresented GECOM’s position.
Da Silva denies these claims, asserting that his submissions were consistent with the sworn affidavit of the CEO and had been circulated to and approved by GECOM’s Chairperson and Commissioners, with no objections before filing.
He is seeking damages, a formal retraction, and a public apology published with the same prominence as the original statements.