House to House registration kicks off!
DPI, Guyana, Saturday, July 20, 2019
Residents throughout the length and breadth of Guyana benefitted from the House to House registration process spearheaded by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Saturday.
Assistant Registration Officer (ARO) with GECOM Darren Wilson with responsibility for North East La Penitence told DPI that his team of enumerators used the day to get acquainted with the community in which they’re working.
“We had to get to know the area first […] All the members in the team don’t know the area,” Wilson explained.
According to ARO Wilson, mapping of the community was necessary to avoid crossing into zones that are being controlled by other teams of enumerators.
Concerning his staff’s preparation for the registration exercise, ARO Wilson noted his team is, “going through the process of setting up the printer, taking out the pictures with the camera, charging the batteries so that we can start [the registration] in the field tomorrow.”
On July 19, GECOM announced that House-to-House Registration will begin the following day (July 20) in accordance with Order No. 25 dated June 11, 2019. The constitutional agency noted the eligibility criteria include: Guyanese citizens by birth, descent, naturalisation or registration, and who will be 14 years and older by October this year, or a citizen of a Commonwealth country living in Guyana for no less than one year preceding the qualifying date.
The registration process is being conducted at the residence of persons fitting these categories. Persons are advised that registration will not be conducted at GECOM Registration Offices.
Following the expiration of the Voters’ List on April 30, it is the view of the Coalition Government that House-to-House Registration is a necessity for free and fair elections. This is an effort to ensure Guyanese are not disfranchised and prevented from exercising their democratic right to cast their ballot in the upcoming General and Regional Elections.