“No room in secretariat’s timeline for elections this year”
― GECOM Commissioner Vincent Alexander
DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, September 10, 2019
One of the government-appointed Commissioners of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Vincent Alexander has maintained the commission’s stance for an election next year. Alexander, addressing members of the media after a statutory meeting, indicated that there is no room in the secretariat’s timeline for an election to be held this year.
One of the government-appointed Commissioners of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Vincent Alexander leaving the secretariat following a statutory meeting.
When questioned if he would support a review of the timeline that could see elections being held this year, his answer was a clear “no”. “I am not supporting a review; I would participate in the discussions because I would rationalise why I am not supporting it,” Alexander stated.
Last Friday, GECOM made the proposal for a March 2020 holding of General and Regional Elections, given the list of activities required to facilitate a credible process. Nevertheless, in a statement last Friday, the commission stated that the “Secretariat continues to work on the encoding and verification process of the data garnered from the House-to-House Registration Exercise.”
Additionally, it was pointed out GECOM is moving swiftly with the training of polling day staff countrywide. “Training has been completed in Region 4, Georgetown, East Bank and East Coast and Region 5. Training will be conducted in Regions 1, 2 and 10.
The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is committed to ensuring it produces a credible list for the conduct of credible General and Regional Elections within the shortest possible time in accordance with the law,” the statement indicated.