With just four days to General and Regional Elections in Guyana, General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has reassured that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is in ready mode.
Asked how satisfied the party is with regard to the commission’s readiness at his weekly press briefing at Freedom House today, Dr Jagdeo said that, based on all that has been observed so far — from ballot preparation to Disciplined Services voting — the process has been conducted in an efficient and transparent manner.
“We have, in this point in time, no reason to believe that they would not be ready for E-Day. They’ve assured us that they are prepared to conduct these elections and we have to believe them,” he said.
With regard to observer missions and the outlook for the upcoming elections, Dr Jagdeo said that process has also encountered no hiccups.
“I’ve met with the Commonwealth Group and that meeting went very good. I think the observers are ready to observe the elections. They’re in good spirits— from personal interaction and from reports I’ve seen. They’ve not been any major issue that they have discovered that could affect the outcome of the elections,” he noted.
Dr Jagdeo further stated that the observers are satisfied there is no “padding” of the voters’ list and that campaigning is being conducted peacefully, with people free to express their views.
Addressing the issue of yet another walkout staged by opposition-appointed GECOM commissioners during discussions on the elections today, he said this was typical behaviour and came as no surprise.
“GECOM has to do its work and there’s a provision when there’s a walk-out that if the next meeting, if they’re given appropriate notice and they don’t show up then then the business of GECOM can continue. So, I hope that GECOM continues to work to be prepared to host the polls,” Dr Jagdeo said.
