Non-partisan GECOM Commissioners may improve efficiency, end gridlock – Carter Center

…calls out GECOM on last-minute polling places reduction

The Carter Center has recommended a review of the methodology previously used for appointing the commissioners on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), noting that having partisan oversight on the Commission may not be the best option.

These preliminary recommendations were made on Wednesday during a press conference called by Carter Centre Observer Mission in Guyana. According to co-leader of the Center’s Observer Mission, Jason Carter, the appointment of GECOM commissioners was formulated based on the old Carter formula.
“It was later integrated into the Constitution. As you know, it gives GECOM a partisan structure that was appropriate at the time of that recommendation. But for the last several elections, the Carter Center has suggested a reconsideration of that formula to increase the efficiency of the Commission and avoid the polarised gridlock possible in the current system,” Carter said.

“So we would urge, as we have before, a reconsideration of the manner in which the election commissioners are appointed. Again, that is a matter for the Guyanese people (to decide),” Carter added.
Another observation made by Carter was the fact that over the course of election preparation, certain GECOM decisions lacked transparency.
Carter was also critical of the GECOM deciding at the last minute to change the arrangements for the use of private residences. He noted that this could have led to confusion for some voters, who were previously informed what polling places would be used.

“While the issue was resolved, it was only resolved days before the elections, maybe even Sunday. One of the things we wanted to mention was that some stakeholders have linked this discussion to a recommendation the Carter Centre made after the 2015 elections, with respect to private residences.”
The Carter Center, he added, continues to believe that voters should have the opportunity to vote in locations that are perceived to be and are neutral. “However, the Carter Center also recognises that in some areas, it might be required to use private buildings or others. And it has not undermined confidence in the process. However, decisions as to polling stations need to be made well in advance of the election”.
Carter, who is the grandson of former US President Jimmy Carter, stressed that while Guyana adopted previous Carter Center recommendations, times have changed and so has context. He noted that as such, what applied in 1992 might not apply in 2020 and review and constitutional reform are necessary.
The current commissioners in the GECOM are Sase Gunraj, Bibi Shadick and Robeson Benn, who were nominated by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) appointed Vincent Alexander, Charles Corbin and Desmond Trotman. These two sides have frequently been gridlocked over critical decisions.
For instance, there was gridlock among the commissioners last year over proceeding on House-to-House Registration, which eventually led to a delay in the holding of elections in the constitutionally-mandated timeframe.
There was also gridlock on actually ending the exercise, which began based on the order of an illegally appointed GECOM Chairman. Eventually, GECOM Chair Retired Justice Claudette Singh made a decision of her own to end the exercise.