The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is moving ahead with plans to host General and Regional Elections on September 1.
Speaking on the television programme Starting Point, government-nominated GECOM Commissioner and Attorney-at-Law, Sase Gunraj, reiterated that the Commission is ready, despite notable hiccups.
“Every single week, without fail, almost, we meet. We deal with issues of varying kinds. One of GECOM’s responsibility is registration, and as you know that has been ongoing ever since,” he said.
Despite what he termed as “inexcusable delays” and opposing views by opposition-nominated commissioners regarding GECOM’s timeline — noting that they may have pre-emptively suggested the Elections Commission’s unreadiness — Gunraj asserted:
“GECOM is ready. In fact, before I had even seen a timeline, because of my knowledge of tasks and the burden time to execute those tasks, I was very comfortable and confident that 90 days is sufficient. Several aspects again, of that very Constitution speaks to holding elections in 90 days. It contemplates the processes must be ready within that 90-day period,” he said.
Gunraj added that following this, a work plan was presented by the Chief Elections Officer, which clearly defined the Secretariat’s ability to execute the processes that are necessary for a successful holding of elections, within statutorily approved guidelines and timelines.
“Now, that timeline has been approved, is being executed, and thankfully so far, I’m happy to report, without hiccups. It’s successfully being implemented,” he noted.
Gunraj further blamed opposition-appointed commissioners for using excuses against the hosting of elections.
Additionally, speaking to the importance of observer groups to the elections process, Gunraj said they are one aspect of the oversight, bringing another position of expertise to the process.
He noted that they are not only tasked with observing polling day activities, but have a wide latitude to observe pre- and post-election day activities.
Gunraj said while observers may not be able to observe each polling station, there is a mechanism in place for contesting political parties to place a polling agent in every polling station.
Furthermore, he pointed to new legislation which caters for an alternate polling agent.
Gunraj also noted that he has a lot of confidence in the legislative changes which were made.
