UN Needs Assessment Mission for Electoral Support – Meeting Request

On May 10, 2018, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) team, which consisted Mr. Hassan Sesay, Senior Electoral/Political Affairs Officer, Ms. Fernanda Lopes, Election/Governance Expert and Mr. Guillermo Kendall, Senior Political Affairs Officer  met with the Honourable Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, SC, MP and team on the request made by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for provision of technical assistance in preparation for the 2018 Local Government Elections and the 2020 General Elections in Guyana .

The aim of the visit was to discuss with the Honourable Attorney General the purpose of the Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) whose functions are to evaluate the current and electoral environment in Guyana, and assess the form of future UN electoral assistance. The NAM will recommend the type of assistance that should be provided and the parameters, including the length of assistance, and modalities that will govern such assistance.

The discussion covered a spectrum of issues that will be dealt with in preparation for the Local Government and the General elections. Those issues are the results tabulation process; developing the necessary software to expedite the process; the biometric instrument used at polling stations; verifications of electoral listings; and to ensure security at the polling stations. UNDP will render support and guidelines in those capacities and where else necessary. At the end of the visit a report will be prepared with recommendations which will be submitted to UNDP Guyana.

The Minister guarantees his support in this process between GECOM and UNDP. The meeting was also attended by Ministry of Legal Affairs Chief Parliamentary Council, Mr. Charles Fung-a-Fatt SC; Ms. Joann Bond; Solicitor General, Ms. Kim Kyte; State Solicitor, Ms Ayana Mc Calmon; and Legislative Drafting Consultant, Mrs. Ananda Dhurjon.