Dear Editor,
The Official List of Electors (OLE) is out, and political parties are very busy scrutinising its published composition in every division. Thousands of party activists are comparing the OLE along with the previously released Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) as well as the Revised List of Electors (RLE).
Obviously, the purpose is not limited to ensuring that they are in a position to advise supporting voters, but to flag any flagrant errors and omissions. In the circumstance, it is evident that the public will use all legal lens and media in maintaining keen scrutiny on the operations of a fledging GECOM, where the amplification of transparent performance levels is greatly needed.
Clearly, there have been some grey areas in arriving at the OLE and many observers have indicated that GECOM should have done much more to be transparent while providing answers to the many legitimate questions asked. Notwithstanding, political campaigning has been concurrent, bitter in some instances, and vigorous. To the external observer, it seems as though the PPP/C has largely gained the wider confidence of the majority of citizens, while internally, representatives seem strongly confident that the party will win by a very big majority, and stress readiness for March 2, 2020.
Information received indicates that GECOM is also ready with the ballot papers. This time around, however, all eyes must be on the lookout for the ‘Fake Statement of Polls.’ Despite GECOM giving assurance that the issued documents would have identifiable security features to prevent counterfeiting. It is, however, very clear those Returning Officers and other persons who are identified to deal with the completed forms would have the access to the final documentation up to the point of final inputting of the captured data into GECOM computer systems.
The previous situation suggests the existence of a flawed internal mechanism and absence of the necessary counterchecks within GECOM itself, which the organisation must demonstrate that it has taken the necessary steps to remedy. The necessary counter checking mechanism to the satisfaction of the Chairman and the Commission is required to be in place to prevent a repeat of the 2015 scenario when the Chief Elections Officer reported the discovery of 33 fake Statements of Polls.
One expects that the nation and other interested stakeholders will be looking at the performance of GECOM staff on election days. Particularly, assigned party representatives must give strict focus on the related operations from the time the ballot papers and all the other elections material leaves Canada. The allowed scrutiny by all political parties’ representatives must involve overseeing the preparation of the Elections on ‘D-Day’ when the Disciplined Services will be voting, and the assortments of the relevant election day ballot papers along with other documents to be used.
GECOM staff performance has been highly questionable and all eyes must be looking for a much-improved implementation of their functions on March 2, 2020. Another matter of much interest is the long waiting on the issuance of ID cards for new registrants. In this respect, it is time that GECOM clear up the burdensome duress under which they hold thousands of registered persons.
Chair of GECOM Madam Claudette Singh after several months should be fully aware of Commissioner Alexander’s irrelevant role as the creator of distractions that often result in inconvenient or selective activities, followed by withdrawals and apologies. It is, therefore, not surprising that he is now saying that the Official List of Electors is bloated. The evidence shows that only recently, the same Commissioner Alexander argued in favour of all the names from the truncated House-to-House Registration to be included in the Revised List of Electors. He even advocated for those persons who GECOM or the party scrutineers could not verify at the addresses listed, to be included.
The distraction in and out of GECOM would no longer work for the Granger cabal who have become strangers to the promises they made to Guyanese citizens. Thanks to Leader of the Opposition Dr Jagdeo and the PPP/C for exposing their flagrant, fraudulent and violent constitutional abuses, they now attempt to present themselves promising gifts. “Old people seh beware of strangers bearing gifts.”
It is a fact that Mr Granger and the APNU/AFC’s desperation has clearly become the greatest threat to our nation’s future and civility. Their increasing use of thugs to disrupt PPP/C meetings and destroy Opposition campaign materials are instructive to anarchical intolerable behaviours. Linden or any other part of Guyana is not owned by APNU/AFC or the PNC, and they do not own persons of a particular ethnic dispensation. At the same time, the Guyana Police Force will have to do much better in maintaining law and order at public meetings.
This column, therefore, condemns in the strongest possible way the attack on a PPP/C meeting held at One Mile, Wismar, where persons dressed in APNU apparel reportedly discharged a firearm as former President and Prime Minister Hon, Samuel Hinds were attempting to address the persons present. While the activists reported the matter to the Linden Police, it is known that APNU/AFC Member of Parliament Mr Figueria arrived on the scene and attempted to quell what seemed like a deliberate orchestrated disruptive and wicked plot.
As the nation and observers watch, we reiterate that GECOM and international observers should take note, and adhere to the call of the US Sean Mariano to ensure that the March 2, General and Regional Elections are free, fair, transparent and credible.
With regards,
Neil Kumar