Keith Lowenfield, a former Guyana Defence Force Officer, was unanimously appointed Chief Election Officer on Wednesday, replacing Gocool Boodhoo who was let go by the Elections Commission when his contract expired nearly two years ago.
The substantive Deputy Chief Election Officer, Calvin Benn, who had also applied for the post, earlier this week withdrew his application, virtually clearing the way for Lowenfield. In a statement, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) said Benn was not interviewed because he tendered a letter dated March 10, 2014, regretfully informing the entity that he was no longer interested in the post and, by way of said letter, was withdrawing his application for the post. “Benn submitted in his letter that he had engaged in some serious reflection during a recent period of illness and has concluded that it would be unwise for him to compete for the position of Chief Election Officer,” the GECOM statement read. Further, he also expressed regrets to the Commission for any inconvenience which might have been caused by his change of heart.
GECOM said its full membership on Wednesday “decided unanimously to the appointment of Mr Keith Lowenfield to the position of Chief Election Officer and Commissioner of National Registration”. The decision was taken at a special meeting of GECOM in the Commission’s Boardroom.
The Commission’s decision has brought to an end a very lengthy and meticulous process: (i) advertising the vacancy locally and overseas; (ii) shortlisting suitable candidates from the 14 applications received; (iii) determining procedures for the interviews; and (iv) conducting the interviews, GECOM said in its statement.
Of the 14 applications received, four were deemed by the Commission to have met the criteria and were shortlisted to be interviewed. They were from Danville Davidson of Jamaica; Savitri Singh of Washington, U.S.A.; Benn; and Lowenfield. Davidson and Singh were interviewed via Skype.
Well wishes
Immediately following the Commission’s decision, Lowenfield was summoned to the meeting and was informed accordingly. GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally took the opportunity to congratulate Lowenfield on being appointed to head the Commission’s Secretariat and expressed his confidence in his ability to honour the responsibilities of the position of Chief Election Officer, the GECOM statement read. “All of the Commissioners also took the opportunity to congratulate Mr Lowenfield and wish him well in his new position,” the statement added.
Responding to the sentiments expressed by Dr Surujbally and the Commissioners, Lowenfield thanked them individually and collectively for the confidence that the Commission has placed in him through its decision to appoint him to the position. In so doing, he undertook to carry out the relevant duties to the best of his abilities without fear, favour, and discrimination, the GECOM statement said.
Meanwhile, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) congratulated Lowenfield even before GECOM made an official announcement of his appointment. “APNU is confident that during Mr Lowenfield’s tenure as Chief Election Officer, there will be non-controversial and properly administered elections,” the opposition coalition said in a terse statement.
