Guyana Elections Commission Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally on Friday said his entity must be left alone to do its work as the November 28 polls near. He was at the time responding to concerns raised by the parties contesting this year’s general and regional elections that more needs to be done on GECOM’s part as it relates to civic and voter education.
Surujbally said GECOM knows what it is doing.
“This is not something that we do willy-nilly and grasp it out of the air, this is a plan. We are the people who know how to market elections and market elections content,” Surujbally declared while addressing a news conference.
He stressed that the commission and its staff are experienced, and there is “no sense starting months before and people will forget the information.”
Moreover, Dr Surujbally stated that all contesting political parties were made aware of the commission’s plans as it regards civic and voter education. He added that educational materials such as brochures, flyers, banners, posters, and notices among others have been circulated.
Besides, the chairman noted that all political parties were offered the very materials, but some refused to accept them. He said the comments uttered by the parties suggested that they were educating the public on their own, failing to mention that they were given materials from GECOM. “It is almost bordering on untruth that you say that you are doing these things, you are sharing our brochures, and you are making statements about GECOM, and you do not say that the brochures came from us… that borders on mendacity.”
GECOM’s head stated that the commission started its campaign to educate the nation since March via the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT& T) Directory. Further, GECOM participated in the radio programme “Let’s Gaff” thereby providing information on the electoral processes, Surujbally said.
That aside, a workshop engaging the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities was held to provide them with information on rights, responsibilities, requirements, and the procedures associated with voting.
Dr Surujbally added that the commission has been conducting its civic and voter education programme at the grassroots level.
He said the entity has taken note of the concerns raised by the political parties, but “a work plan had been shared with the political parties, so they know what the work plan would be; they know when we would begin with the intensity of the civic and voter education.” Surujbally added, “One cannot suddenly come up and decide that we will do it on this day or that day. Mr Boodhoo’s team and Mr Boodhoo himself have already done three or four elections, they know what is the good time to start a campaign such as this…”
Merundoi Incorporated was contracted by GECOM to produce and broadcast the messages regarding the elections, while the commission has published notices in all of the daily newspapers, as well as on the radio and television.
“All of the pertinent information is out on the website, the key information that a voter would like to have, not only from the website but from a telephone call, call in and our officers on the several hotlines will guide you to the correct area or give you the correct information.”
Surujbally added that the concerns raised by the respective political parties were penned four days after the commission intensified its publication campaign.
