—meets with diplomatic missions, increases weekly meetings, recruiting for key positions
AS Guyana approaches another election cycle, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has shifted into high gear by increasing its weekly meetings from once to twice and moving to fill key vacancies.
This move, announced on Friday by Peoples Progressive Party (PPP)-appointed GECOM Commissioner, Attorney Sase Gunraj, comes amid heightened public interest in the Commission’s readiness to conduct free, fair, and transparent elections.
During a media briefing, Gunraj said that last Tuesday, the Commission met with a delegation from the ABCEU (America, Britain, Canada and the European Union) missions, which included all the ambassadors, high commissioners and other officials from each mission.
“The purpose of that meeting was primarily to discuss support to the Guyana Elections Commission for the general and regional elections slated for 2025. One of the stated purposes for the early meeting was because they [missions] wanted to have those discussions now and needs assessed now so that preparations can be made adequately and in advance. So, that as best as possible, what support that is necessary can be provided,” he explained.
According to him, certain aspects of last Tuesday’s meeting was suspended to facilitate the meeting with the missions.
Gunraj related: “And what we needed to discuss? Primarily, the British High Commissioner [Jane Miller] indicated that they will have support and assistance from the United Nations System. And as a consequence, they requested that we request a needs assessment team from the UN to investigate and interrogate what needs we may have.”
He said GECOM has conducted an internal review to assess what is required for the upcoming elections. Although they are still in the early stages of preparation, he said the Commission recognised the significant amount of work involved in organising national elections.
GECOM, Gunraj said, understands the importance of starting preparations early to ensure it can effectively manage the workload and be ready in time for the elections.
With elections looming, he said the Commission has also increased meetings to provide an opportunity for the Commission to address any issues promptly, monitor ongoing activities, and finalise logistical arrangements ahead of time.
He added: “We have decided to meet more frequently. We are now meeting twice per week on Tuesday and Thursday. So that other critical matters that we have identified and itemised can be addressed.”
“GECOM has also decided to set aside time in the not-so-distant future for our own internal discussions on what we may need in terms of resources, personnel and other support for those elections and if necessary what support we need to seek externally,” he said.
Gunraj emphasised that one of the key tasks for GECOM is hiring staff to support the election process. Specifically, they are focusing on recruiting a Civic and Voter Education Manager, a critical role responsible for educating the public about their voting rights and the election process.
He said the Commission is currently in the process of interviewing candidates for this position.
“We had set down a shortlist. So, we used yesterday (Thursday) to interview for persons for that post. We intend to continue those interviews next week,” Gunraj added.
The main opposition party has been demanding updates to the country’s electoral system, particularly concerning the voters’ list to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
The parties have been calling for the adoption of biometric and electronic voting.
When asked by reporters whether the topic of using biometrics in the election process had been discussed, Gunraj clarified that no such conversations had taken place as yet.
In response to this, GECOM’s chairperson Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh had previously reaffirmed the body’s commitment to ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.
She said: “[The Commission] cannot and will not act outside of the extant statutory provisions pertaining to the conduct of National Registration, Local Government Elections, and General and Regional Elections.”
Singh pointed out that implementing biometric systems requires legislative changes. Biometrics are defined as unique physical characteristics, such as fingerprints and retina scans that could be used for automated recognition.
“Until such is enabled, GECOM cannot proceed with implementing such a feature,” she stated.
To this end, GECOM has completed a feasibility study on the introduction of digital fingerprint capture and biometric voter identification, and the results are currently under review by Commission members.
Addressing concerns about the accuracy of the voters’ list, GECOM referenced a ruling by Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire, SC, which clarified that the removal of names from the National Register of Registrants Database (NRRDB) must follow existing legal provisions.
This decision has not been appealed. GECOM said that it routinely updates the NRRDB based on reports of deceased persons from the General Register Office and through periodic Claims and Objections Exercises.
The Commission has also requested regular updates from the Chief Medical Officer and the Commissioner of Police to further sanitise the database.
GECOM assured the public that multiple safeguards are in place to prevent forms of “skullduggery” on elections day.
These include the presence of political party agents at each polling station, accurate identification of the voter, the use of indelible ink, the presence of security personnel from the Guyana Police Force, and the conduct of an intensive voter education campaign.
GECOM also said that Election Day staff receive thorough training, ballots are counted at polling places in the presence of party representatives, and both local and international observers monitor the voting and counting processes.
To address concerns about voter impersonation, GECOM said that its Chief Election Officer, Vishnu Persaud, has proposed installing cameras in polling stations to record activities without compromising ballot secrecy.
This proposal is currently being considered by the Commission. As such, GECOM reiterated its commitment to delivering “free, fair, transparent and credible elections” and called on all stakeholders to support its efforts within the constitutional framework.
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Publish date : 2024-10-11 23:01:00
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