“GECOM is set for Nomination Day.” This was the word of GECOM Public Relations Officer, Vishnu Persaud. The event was slated for Thursday, October 2011at City Hall. It was also supposed to be the litmus test for parties’ readiness for the impending elections. The expectation was that some 32 political parties were to present their lists for the polls. However, GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally said that that number might be significantly reduced.
So far, the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/ C) seems very much on track, declaring that it has been ready for Nomination Day, since President Jagdeo announced November 28, as the date for the 2011 polls.
“We have been set since the president announced the elections date… we have been and continue to be the most organised political out-fit and we will be taking that same energy to Nomination Day… all of the persons on our list are eagerly awaiting [this day],” Romel Roopnarine, the party’s Public Relations Officer said.
PPP/C Presidential Candidate Donald Ramotar
Similarly, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) prime ministerial candidate, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, said that his party is all set for the occasion.
“Of course we are ready… we are absolutely ready!” he told Guyana Times International while in a meeting finalising preparation for the event.
The Alliance for Change (AFC) also noted that it is geared up for the presentation of the list of candidates for the 2011 polls to GECOM Chief Elections Officer, Gocool Boodoo. The party was also expected to unveil former PPP member, Moses Nagamootoo, on its list of candidates.
This publication understands that the Chief Election Officer was scheduled to leave GECOM at 13:30h and arrive at City Hall at 13:45h, while commissioners were expected to be there at 13: 55h. At 14:00h, nominations would have been officially opened until 18:00h. The election officials were expected to depart City Hall at 18:30h after which there was to be the examination of the nomination lists, presented by the contesting political parties, thus ensuring that there would have been no mistakes.
At 21:00h, the Commission was then expected to compile a report. The scrutiny of the nomination lists was expected to last until Friday and corrections were likely to be made at that time, the source said.
