Continuous registration must be supported!

Dear Editor,
The Local Government Elections are overdue, and the present Continuous Registration is certainly the most acceptable, transparent, and balanced approach to updating the Register of Registrants (RoR). It guarantees the holding of the LGEs this year, and must be supported!
The utter nonsense that we are hearing from the Opposition quarters about the Voters List must neither be condoned nor be the problem of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). There is rich and valuable precedence in the use of the Continuous Registration approach, which is empowered by a foundational legal position. Section 6(1) of the National Registration Act, Cap. 19.08, states: it shall be lawful for the Commission by order from time to time to appoint a date with reference to which persons to whom the order applies shall be registered, a day on which the registration of such persons upon their application therefor pursuant to the order shall begin and a day on which such registration shall end.”
Contextually, the Elections Commission shall use the Official List of Electors from the 2001 General and Regional Elections as the base to commence continuing registration. Hence, our country has been using the accepted process to update the RoR and prepare the appropriate Voters list.
The provocateurs in the PNC, who are always afraid to face the electorate, have always made excuses and played the blame game regarding the Voters List, to dodge LGEs. Their adapting myriad approaches have always been of convenience, directed solely towards the paramount benefit of the PNC party, while sacrificing balance, transparency, and fairness.
It is factual that when the APNU/AFC assumed power in 2015, they quickly went to Parliament and adjusted legislation to affirm that the Continuous Registration process, as the mechanism to update the Register of Registrants, must be conducted twice yearly, for six-month periods. The duplicitous behaviour of the PNCR, as the leading force in the APNU/AFC main Opposition, has no boundaries. Our nation would recall that while they are always opposing the holding of LGEs under successive PPP/C Governments, they quickly held LGEs in 2016 and again in 2018, using the same process and the same continuous registration process and list.
Now that GECOM has commenced this Continuous Registration Cycle, no traction must be given to the foolhardy attempts at further delays from the APNU/AFC cabal. It is without a shred of decency that some of their representatives still attempt to defend the indefensible rigging. We are living the sad and shameful memories of the 2020 five torturous months of all-out attempts to change the results of the National and Regional Elections. Our Guyanese citizens must therefore support and make sure that our democracy prevails, as GECOM moves forward to hold LGEs.
Editor, the process must be carefully explained to ensure that our citizenry fully understands the dynamics and guard against any camouflaged impropriety. Please permit me to highlight and make the clarion call for all persons to whom the Continuous Registration Order applies to visit the GECOM offices around the country and get registered. Among the ‘New Registrants’ category are young people who were born on or before October 31, 2018, or who would be (14) years old and over by October 31, 2022. They must have their original birth certificates or valid Guyana Passports when visiting the GECOM Office. In addition, an original ‘Deed Poll’ along with his/her original birth certificate is required in cases where a name will be used that is different from the names stated on the birth certificate.
Because of the massive PPPC Government housing drive and development across the country, many persons are now living in a new local government constituency that is different from where they were first registered. It is appropriate and necessary for these persons to present their Identification Cards to the officials at the GECOM Office covering their area of residence, in support of their application to be transferred to the constituency where they now reside. This should also make it easier for voting on polling day.
Transfers will be facilitated during this continuous period, provided the applicants give the information regarding where they were registered and where they voted in the previous elections. Transfers are recommended, as they also allow persons the opportunity to play a real role in their immediate community development at the levels of Municipalities, Neighbourhood Democratic, and Village Councils.
Corrections to registration particulars are changes that are also updated during this cycle. Categories such as incorrect spelling of name(s), wrong date of birth, and incorrect gender can be corrected. To do so, the applicants must submit original birth certificates and ID cards.
Persons could also apply for replacement ID Cards, if they have lost their original ID Cards. In this case, applicants are required to fill (complete) a copy of the statutory declaration form, which is available from the GECOM Office, and have it authenticated (signed) by a Commissioner of Oaths. The office would also facilitate the distribution of their ID Cards, if they are already registered but did not collect their ID Cards. In addition, persons could have their photos retaken and be issued with a new ID card if the photos on their current ID Cards are damaged/faded beyond recognition.
This process is very important, and would enable GECOM to update the National Register of Registrants and prepare the appropriate Voters List for LGEs. All eligible persons are encouraged to get on board and support the process.

Sincerely,
Neil Kumar