Two new GECOM Commissioners sworn in

TIMES INT'L
Former Transport and Hydraulics Minister Robeson Benn receiving his appointment letter from President David Granger
Former Transport and Hydraulics Minister Robeson Benn
receiving his appointment letter from President David Granger

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is now ‘back up to strength’ with the appointment of former Transport and Hydraulics Minister Robeson Benn and former Human Services and Social Security Minister Bibi Shaddick as Commissioners.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Commissioners were sworn in on Tuesday by President David Granger in the presence of GECOM’s Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally; Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield; GECOM Commissioner, Attorney Sase Gunraj and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon at the Ministry of the Presidency.

Benn and Shaddick have now replaced Mohamood Shaw and Athmaram Mangar who had penned their resignations recently, joining Attorney Gunraj, who was sworn in as a PPP/C Commissioner in February.

Former Human Services and Social Security Minister Bibi Shaddick taking her oath of office
Former Human Services and Social Security Minister Bibi
Shaddick taking her oath of office

President Granger, in his address, said he was confident that the newly appointed Commissioners will discharge their duties without fear or favour, affection or ill will. He also used the opportunity to applaud the Commission on its ability to maintain stability in the electoral process. “Elections in Guyana are now on stable footing and I would like to congratulate the Chairman, the Chief Elections Officer and the members of the Commission.”

However, he said that there were some obstacles that must be overcome such as the timely delivery of election results, as he pointed to the examples set by Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. “Of course, we are all impressed with the fact that in our sister Caricom countries – Jamaica and Trinidad – the results were announced even before midnight. I am sure it’s a challenge that we will eventually be able to meet.”

The untimely delivery of the May 11 General and Regional Elections results was of major concern not only to local stakeholders but international organisations such as the Electoral Observation Mission of the Organisation of American States (EOM/OAS) who had observed the electoral process.

Related posts