GECOM clears the air on election day misconceptions

– PRO assures ink is of highest standard

– calls for assistance to be given to persons with a disability

– assures all agents have met statutory deadlines

DPI, Guyana, Monday, November 12, 2018

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Public Relations Officer, Yoland Ward, spent time clarifying misconceptions being peddled on election day for Local Government Elections (LGE).

Ward assured the media the ink being used in this election cycle is of the highest standard despite a significant portion are excess from the 2016 LGE.

“We have tested and checked our stock. I am confident that the quality of the ink we have is of the highest standard,” Ward told local media today at the Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara.

The PRO also clarified misconceptions about Returning Officers (ROs) rejecting party agents’ papers on election day. Ward further gave assurances GECOM’s ROs are of the “highest level”.

“Letters for the appointment of polling agents, counting agents, all of these have statutory timelines they were submitted to the office of the returning officers and in so doing once they were accepted, they were issued with badges,” Ward explained.

Meanwhile, Ward said it is unfortunate that persons with a disability have difficulty accessing polling stations but she encouraged those present at polling stations to give assistance to these persons.

Ward explained GECOM had encountered difficulties with the infrastructure being used as polling stations in a number of Local Authority Areas.

“I hope that the camaraderie and assistance of persons at polling stations will help those persons cast their vote,” Ward said.

Tiffny Rhodius.

Image: Keno George.