President Granger supports reforming of GECOM

– says Carter Formula exhausted

– Carter Formula “recipe for conflict”

– reform depends on outcome of talks with Opposition Leader

DPI, Guyana, Thursday, September 13, 2018

President David Granger on Wednesday, August 12, restated his position in support of the reformation of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

The President, who was speaking on the sidelines of the swearing-in of the Police Complaints Authority at State House said the present situation is “like going to a cricket match and taking your own umpire, it is a really a recipe for conflict.”

The Carter Formula, which has been in use for years, President Granger said, has exhausted its usefulness. “We have abided by it for years …we need to have an impartial process,” he emphasised.

The Carter-Price formula, created by former United States President, Jimmy Carter and former Prime Minister of Belize, George Price, allows the Opposition Leader, after consultations, to present the president with a list of nominees from which to choose a Chairperson for the Elections Commission.

The Constitution also provides for the appointment of six commissioners, three appointed by the president in his own deliberate judgement, and three appointed by the president acting on recommendations by the Opposition Leader.

During his August 31 press conference, the President had expressed the view that commissioners should be appointed through a parliamentary process, similar to how the Public and Police Service Commissions are appointed.

Asked if this reform of the Elections Commission would be possible prior to General Elections, the President said this is dependent on the outcome of discussions with the Opposition Leader.

By: Stacy Carmichael.

Image: Department of Public Information.