No decision yet on renewal of Boodoo’s contract

BY MICHAEL YOUNGE –

Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally is expected to seek legal counsel on the way forward regarding the request by Gocool Boodoo to be reappointed as the entity’s chief elections officer, as discussions on the controversial issue yielded little fruit on Tuesday.
Discussions at the level of the statutory meeting came to a premature end after Boodoo’s attorney, Mursalene Bacchus wrote the commission explaining that his client had a “legitimate expectation” in so far as being reappointed to the post was concerned.

The current commissioners are University Registrar Vincent Alexander, Dr Keshav Mangal, Charles Corbin, Attorney Jaya Manickchand (who replaced senior counsel Moen McDoom), Attorney Sandra Jones (who replaced Deputy Mayor Robert Williams) and Mahmood Shaw.
Reappointment
The seven-member commission was originally expected to discuss his reappointment as an agenda item, after weeks of deadlock and back-and-forth on the issue and several public pronouncements from political parties as to what positions should be taken, but that did not happen when the correspondence was introduced.
GECOM Public Relations Officer Vishnu Persaud, who also serves as secretary to the constitutional body, when contacted by Guyana Times International declined to offer any official comment on the matter, stating that he was “not authorised to do so”.
But sources close to Tuesday’s meeting said the media was informed as regards the actual purpose of the meeting as it was never intended to decide the fate of Boodoo or bring the matter to finality.
The source said that the issue about the former chief executive officer’s reappointment came out as a matter arising from the minutes, and it was expected that commissioners would each offer their position on the issue, having reviewed the relevant information before the body, which would form a wider discussion.
Alternative action
In the letter, Boodoo’s lawyer allegedly stipulated alternative actions that could be taken if his application was not favourably considered on the grounds of legitimate expectation, fairness and natural justice.
As it is, the commission remains split on his reappointment, with Commissioner Vincent Alexander still expressing concern that Boodoo’s letter of interest was premature and came in advance of the three-month stipulated period which should have elapsed before seeking reappointment.
His position was rejected by other commissioners who said the former chief elections officer is entitled to reappointment on the basis of his performance, track-record and suitability for the post, among other non-political factors.
Boodoo’s fate would ultimately be decided by a majority vote of the complete quorum of commissioners.
Should the pro-government commissioners and the opposition commissioners become deadlocked on the matter, the chairman is entitled to a casting vote.
The commissioners are legally mandated, based on a unanimous decision, to deal with all issues relating to employment of senior functionaries of the commission.
According to the Constitution, all appointments and renewal of contract for senior level administration staff must engage the attention of the entire quorum of commissioners for their consideration and must be guided by recommendations from a head of department.
Boodoo’s contract expired at the end of April. At the moment, the position of chief elections officer is being filled by Deputy Chief Elections Officer Calvin Benn.