No one has to worry about my neutrality – newly sworn-in GECOM CEO

Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) veteran, Vishnu Persaud, was sworn in as the new Chief Elections Officer (CEO) and Commissioner of Registration on Wednesday.

The new appointee sought to assure the media, shortly after his swearing-in, that no one should be worried about his neutrality, nor should they worry that he would deviate from the lawful and proper path in the execution of his duties. 

“Most of you in the media and most people in the public at large, would have known me for carrying out my duties in adhering to the laws, the policies of the commission and basically, carrying out my duties in a professional manner. In that regard, I guarantee that I will continue in that same faith.”

The country’s elections chief was sworn in by the Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, at the Magistrates’ Court, then by Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George as Commissioner of Registration at the Supreme Court, in accordance with the National Registration Act Cap. 19:08.

Persaud’s swearing- in represents a significant step in mending the fractured reputation of Guyana’s elections agency, following an electoral process that gained negative global attention in 2020.

The unfolding of events during that period had led to scores of countries, as well as multilateral organisations, calling for all involved to respect Guyana’s democracy and the rule of law. 

“I have an extensive PR background, and this is one of things that even before I came on board, I knew would be one of the main challenges that I would be confronted with,” Persaud said. 

Asked whether the media could expect increased engagement with GECOM by virtue of his appointment, Persaud said he will be guided by the Commission. He however, stressed that he stands for transparency and accountability, and that this viewpoint includes media relations.

Having taken up office, Persaud said his job starts right away. He said he is going to “get a feel” of what is going on in the various departments, and determine how he could engage himself. He said further, that he will be guided and advised by the Commission on how to deal with these matters, including registration and preparation for elections.

Asked how he would respond to questions about his competence for the role, the new Chief Elections Officer referred to the statement issued by the Commission, particularly the comments of the Chair, retired Justice Claudette Singh, on his credentials. 

Justice Singh was the tie-breaking vote on the Commission, between Persaud and a former Elections Officer for Jamaica, Leslie Harrow. 

The Chair’s justification included that she considered the endorsement of GECOM’s previous Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally. She said she was also of the view that Persaud has acquired institutional knowledge, having been employed with GECOM for 17 years.

She recalled that he also held the post of Public Relations Officer, Deputy Chief Elections Officer, and has even acted as Chief Elections Officer. 

Justice Singh pointed to the new Chief’s knowledge of how to manage the CEO’s office and the operational functions of the Secretariat, and his knowledge of the geography of the 10 administrative regions. 

Persaud has replaced former CEO, Keith Lowenfield, who had come under fire for his defiance of the instructions of the Chair during the elections period, including proposing elections declarations which were not in-keeping with her directives. 

The roles that Lowenfield and his former Deputy, Roxanne Myers, played during the 2020 electoral process, are under judicial scrutiny.