probe into GECOM’s hiring practices
Two months after retired Judge and Senior Counsel (SC) Stanley Moore was hired to probe the employment practices at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), the investigation is not yet complete.
However, Guyana Times International was reliably informed that the three-man team is close to wrapping up the inquiry with a view to completing the investigation before year end.
Justice Moore, in collaboration with former Deputy Commissioner of Police Lloyd Smith and human resources consultant Jairam Petam, was to complete the investigation in three weeks during October. However, the time was extended as the probe widened.
The investigation was launched after People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) GECOM Commissioners Bibi Shadick, Sase Gunraj and Robeson Benn wrote a letter of complaint to the ERC, contending that there was an ethnic imbalance at GECOM and hiring practices were being manipulated in favour of one group. After these allegations were made, the ERC had scheduled a meeting with Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, where the matters were raised. The ERC also met with President David Granger at that time.
At a press conference prior to the probe, GECOM Chairman and retired Justice James Patterson had said that qualifications ultimately trumped race when filling vacancies. When asked whether deliberate efforts to achieve racial diversity were being made, Patterson had contended that deliberate efforts were being made to get the best people and that he had “no apologies” for that.
ERC Chairman, Reverend Dr John Smith was hoping that the probe would have been completed before the November 12, 2018 Local Government Elections (LGE).
The ERC is a constitutional body established under the Herdmanston Accord. It works with persons and agencies to promote harmonious ethnic relations. The Commission also deals with complaints, promotes training in racial harmony, and fosters a sense of security, among all ethnic groups.
Justice Moore had served as a Home Affairs Minister under former President LFS Burnham during the Administration of the People’s National Congress (PNC).
The PPP/C Commissioners had registered complaints of Chairman Patterson using his post to muzzle them on the issue of hiring practices. Commissioner Benn had highlighted issues regarding the ethnic composition of the workforce of the secretariat of the Commission, having pointed out that the perception was that the vast majority of the staff of the Commission were persons of one ethnicity. However, the Chairman disputed the Commissioner’s claim.
The PPP/C Commissioners had said that the Chairman prevented Benn from further defending his position and when challenged, adjourned the meeting for over half an hour.
Their allegations followed by an earlier statement made by executive member of the PPP, Dr Roger Luncheon who made allegations against GECOM regarding the same issue.
