GECOM to get $5.4BILLION in 2019

─ $3BILLION for General Elections

DPI, Guyana, Monday, November 26, 2018

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has secured some $5.4Billion in 2019, $3Billion of which will be utilized for the 2020 General and Regional Elections.

Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, during the presentation of the 2019 National Budget, told the National Assembly said almost $3Billion of the total allocation will go towards the preparation of the General and Regional Elections, constitutionally due, by August 2020.

Minister Jordan said that the recently held Local Government Elections (LGE) on November 12, marked a milestone in the history of the Coalition Government, as it is the only time in the post-independence era that the elections were held “back to back.”

“The lower turn out at the polls relative to 2016, serves as an indication to all, that much more is needed to restore confidence and awareness in this important form of representation. It is our collective hope, that Local Government and Regional Elections will continue to be held when due, so we can continue to enjoy representation and as a demonstration of our commitment to democracy.”

He said at the recently inaugural National conference for Local Democratic Organs (LDO’s) President David Granger had again charged both municipal and Local Democratic Councils to be more proactive to the local economy. To this end and in an effort to build capacity in the local government bodies, the government has allocated $1Billion as fiscal transfers to the local communities.

The government has also invested $320Million to conduct mass property evaluations over an 18 month period.

“This, will mark the first national valuation properties in decades and will allow these bodies to improve their revenue base, which will allow them to more effectively serve their communities and provide public services such as roads, drains and garbage disposals,” he told the house.

Alexis Rodney.

Image by Keno George.