GECOM engages political parties, assures credible elections

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is confident it will deliver free, fair and transparent General and Regional Elections on September 1, despite calls from some smaller political parties to postpone the polls.

Deputy Chief Elections Officer Aneal Giddings gave the assurance following a meeting between GECOM and over two dozen political parties at the Commission’s headquarters in Georgetown.

“From the point of view of the Secretariat, where we are with preparation, where we are with the work plan, I am confident that we will deliver a free, transparent and credible elections,” Giddings told reporters.

Several small parties raised concerns about the complexities of forming joint lists and the lack of clarity on how seats would be rotated among join-up parties. Giddings acknowledged the concerns and said the Commission would address them.

“It is a matter of concern. At this point in time, we don’t have the answer, me as part of the Secretariat. I would prefer to be guided by a Commission decision and a Commission directive on this,” he said.

The Secretariat is currently reviewing submitted election symbols ahead of the June 23rd approval deadline and is preparing for nomination day on July 14. The revised list of electors will be published and made available for 21 days following the conclusion of the objections period.

Giddings said more than 1,000 names of deceased persons have been flagged and removed from the National Register so far this year. He noted the process is ongoing but will end soon to finalise the voter list.

He also confirmed that parties must use the updated nomination forms in keeping with a Commission policy, following concerns from some groups that had begun gathering signatures using older forms.

The meeting drew representatives from approximately 28 parties.