Attorney Narayan appointed GECOM Commissioner, Ganga Persaud now member of PSC
— Oaths of office taken today
— President Ali facilitated the ceremony
Attorney at Law, Manoj Narayan, today, took the Oath of Office to represent the Government as Commissioner at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).
Mr. Narayan who received his letter of appointment this morning during a swearing-in ceremony facilitated by President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, His Excellency, President Dr. Mohamad Irfaan Ali at State House.
He replaces the previous Commissioner, Mr. Robeson Benn, who has been appointed as Minister of Home Affairs by the Head of State.
Meanwhile, former Minister of Local Government, Mr. Ganga Persaud was sworn in as a member of the Public Service Commission (PSC). He too was issued with his appointment document.
The position at the Commission became vacant following the resignation of Former Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond in January this year. Persaud will work in the post at PSC for three years.
On the sidelines of the ceremony, newly-appointed GECOM Commissioner, Mr. Narayan told reporters that his duty begins immediately. He said persons’ confidence in GECOM has suffered a great lot both locally and internationally, due to the delaying tactics which occurred following the March 2 General and Regional Elections.
He explained that under article 161 A of the Constitution the Commission is empowered to institute disciplinary proceedings against officers of the Elections Commission. “Those matters will have to be discussed at the level of the commission,” Mr. Narayan stated.
For PSC member, Mr. Persaud, the interest of every public servant within Guyana’s Public Service will be his focus. “I will do so with the team in keeping with the public service rules and the Constitution of Guyana which is embedded in Article 200 of our Constitution,” he relayed.
President Ali remarked that the appointments came at a critical time when several issues at both entities have to be addressed.
The Head of State noted that there are issues of vacancies in the Public Sector which need to be occupied and the replacements were essential, “to have a situation where the work of PSC could proceed and flow smoothly.”
“Today, with the appointment of Mr. Manoj on the Commission I am sure that it will help you (GECOM Chairwoman) and the Commission to advance the works as you seek to not only address the many issues that are before you in relation to the concluded election but more importantly, as we work towards strengthening of the electoral system, as we work towards having an electoral system in which the people of our country can have confidence in it and one in which the international community can be comfortable, that Guyana has strong democratic institutions, that will always act in the best interest of democracy and the people of our country,” the President stated.
Going forward, he called for greater inclusiveness, the strengthening of governance architecture and institutions, to ensure that Guyanese are treated fairly.
Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General (AG), Hon. Mohabir Anil Nandlall and Chairwoman of the Guyana Elections Commission, Justice (R’etd) Claudette Singh were also present at the ceremony.
AG Nandlall remarked that he was pleased to see two important constitutional posts filled.
“Government will continue to ensure that constitutional vacancies in the various sectors are filled so that they are no hiatus in the performance of constitutional functions because constitutional functions are integral to the working of our democracy,” Minister Nandlall told reporters.
Today’s exercise was done through the authority conferred upon the President by Article 161 (3) A of the Constitution.