Electoral system in desperate need of upgrades – PPP

People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Commissioners on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) are expressing grave concerns about delays in modernising the entity and the way it conducts elections.

PPP Commissioners Sase Gunraj, Robeson Benn and Bibi Shadick
PPP Commissioners Sase Gunraj, Robeson Benn and Bibi Shadick

During a press conference on Friday, Commissioners Robeson Benn, Sase Gunraj and Bibi Shadick took the position that Guyana’s electoral system is lagging when compared to other Caribbean countries.
“I want to move on to noting also our grave concern with the lack of progress on the implementation of those issues in respect of enhanced biometrics,” Commissioner Benn stated.
He expressed concerns regarding the registration and electronic verification of electors; electronic tabulation of the results of future elections in Guyana and the electronic transmission of those results.
“We have had long discussions and even before we got to GECOM there have been discussions about the modernisation of our electoral system. Guyana has fallen way behind other Regional countries with respect to this matter.”
“Jamaica and others have put in place systems for proper, transparent and integral verification of electors. And making sure that verification of electors is transparent.”
According to Benn, even though there have been discussions, seminars and even retreats regarding the process, there has been little progress.
“There appears to be great doubt in GECOM itself, with regards to the role of its officers and we think that this is a significant matter going ahead for the modernisation of the electoral system in the country.”
Benn added that with future elections in mind, a revamp of the elections system in Guyana should be a priority task for GECOM.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Shadick expressed surprise and concern at the recently announced start of the digitisation of 148 years of birth, marriage and death records.
At the General Register Office (GRO) on Wednesday, Citizenship Minister Winston Felix had said that clerks are currently being trained to enter these records from 1987 to as far back as 1869 into a database that aims to ensure the more efficient functioning of the GRO.
Felix had also said that the overall aim of the project was to ensure that each citizen has one identification card that will include all relevant information from birth.
According to the Minister, biometric information such as fingerprints and possibly retinal scans that will erase the need for additional forms of identification such as a National Insurance Scheme (NIS) card and a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) would also be included.
However, Shadick said that these developments are cause for concern, as this seems to be an effort to transfer the registration process to the Citizenship Ministry. Additionally, she complained of the lack of meetings at GECOM.
“This is very troubling to us. You cut the budget saying that you’re not going to do any house to house registration. While the Chairman is on leave, no meetings in the Commission are being called.”
“So whatever is going on is going on outside the knowledge of the six GECOM Commissioners who are constitutionally appointed.”
In 2015, following the General and Regional Elections, there had been delays in releasing the results of the elections. GECOM had stated at the time that certain checks and balances in the Representation of the People’s Act had to be followed, hence those delays.
Specifically, there were delays in receiving Statement of Polls from Regions such as One (Barima-Waini), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).
Eventually, disputed results led to the People’s Progressive Party seeking redress in the High Court.