Govt reiterates continued support for GECOM
─ Pres. Granger and govt officials meet with GECOM
─ GECOM assured that govt will continue to observe independence of commission
DPI, Guyana, Thursday, August 8, 2019
The Coalition Government remains committed to supporting the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) in executing its mandate to host free, fair and credible elections.
On Thursday, His Excellency, President David Granger, along with a team of government officials met with the Chairman of GECOM, Justice Claudette Singh and commissioners to discuss the hosting of General and Regional Elections.
Addressing the media moments after the brief meeting, President Granger described the engagement as being very fruitful. The Head of State said that GECOM’S Chairman was given the government’s assurance to that it will continue to observe the independence of the commission.
“Government will not dictate, will not interfere. It will not intrude on the work of the commission. It will observe all the roles and responsibilities of the commission given to it by the Constitution,” the Head of State related.
His Excellency, President David Granger and Director-General Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon.
Director-General (DG) of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon noted that while the meeting was brief, President Granger laid out government’s position concerning the hosting of credible elections, the Caribbean Court of Justice’s (CCJ) consequential orders on the way forward and the political situation in Guyana. According to the Director-General, the Head of State gave the government’s continued commitment to lend support where necessary for GECOM to perform its functions.
“It is important to note that His Excellency President David Granger made it very clear that the government will continue to provide all of the support necessary for the Elections Commission to execute its mandate,” Harmon stated.
He echoed the president’s remark noting that while the government is interested in credible elections, it will not dictate the functions of GECOM. He further added that “the Commission will advise the president on what they perceive to be the issues.”
It was disclosed that the Chairman of the Elections Commission committed to meeting with the full commission on August 15, 2019, after which the position of the commission will be communicated to President Granger.
The Head of State emphasised that the government respects the independence of the elections body and will act accordingly once it has been advised.
“We expect that all Guyanese will respect the independent role of the election commissions, and that we could proceed to General and Regional Elections in accordance with the work that commission has to do,” President Granger expressed.