GECOM in full preparation mode for LGE amid Opposition shift of focus

Dear Editor,
The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is rolling out several concurrent activities that indicate the hastening of preparations for LGEs, expected to be held later this year.
The GECOM website and widely circulated newspapers and media provide evidence of efforts to fill lower levels of vacancies alongside the ongoing nationwide Continuous Registration exercise, scheduled to end on May 29, 2022. These activities, along with reactions from the leading political forces, are worthy of observation and interrogation in the evolving framework.
Elements of the Opposition have recently subscribed to much banal bruhaha, seeking to influence or delay GECOM’s decisions regarding the conduct of the current Continuous Registration exercise. GECOM did not succumb! The Opposition representatives in the legally supported and necessary undertakings are now seemingly exercising a reposed focus of participation, targeted at ensuring the accuracy of the process, which is certainly progressing very well. This fact is evidenced by reports of approximately fifty thousand completed transactions conducted as at April 29, 2022.
Our youths must be commended for their genuine interest in the process. The related available statistics are indeed most encouraging, since they reveal that more than twenty thousand new, eligible voters were registered. Further, over sixteen thousand new registrants between the ages of 14 and 17 years were recorded by the registration offices of GECOM. Currently, the records, based on the tally received from participating party scrutineers, are showing about three thousand transfers, and this number is likely to increase.
This position is reflective of, and recognises, the massive housing drive by the PPP/C. The process is also showing that our people are doing the relevant name changes, and that National Identification Cards are in demand.
As the mobile registration process gains momentum, we are witnessing a total togetherness between the functioning party scrutineers and the GECOM officials. With the completion of this continuous registration process, the Guyana Elections Commission’s registration officials should be undertaking verification visits to the homes of applicants, and it is anticipated that GECOM would follow up the cross-referencing process by considering fingerprints, to remove possible duplications.
Consequently, the target result is the realisation of an updated Register of Registrants for the nation to peruse during a Claims and Objections period, so that the nation could have an updated Voters’ List.
The united action with the scrutineers and the public is highly appreciated, since it is an acceptable mechanism that leads GECOM to produce an acceptable Voters’ List, that is reflective of accountable areas of residential accuracy needed for the LGEs. In this regard, GECOM must be commended for providing that all efforts are taken to ensure the acceptable credentials of those persons employed.
Editor, as a backdrop to the emerging environment characterised by Aubrey Norton as Opposition Leader, the nation notes President Ali’s full-cycle ‘energizer-type’ work ethic, which keeps on going and going and going in a distinctly admirable way. Along with the PPPC leadership team, his flexible multi-tasking undertakings and endeavours signal the strongest determination to exceed and deliver Manifesto promises, together with widespread resulting benefits for all Guyanese via the implementation of a strategic charter through the well-oiled PPPC machinery.
President Ali’s excellent leadership of a cadre of astute professionals exemplifies the Government’s purposeful forward push! This team is not expected to await the indeterminate results of the PNCR internal problem-solving in a setting and environment imbued with conflict, now led by Norton as Opposition Leader.
Importantly, the selection of Opposition Leader was delayed for months; despite becoming the Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) last December, Norton was sworn in as a Parliamentarian only within the past two weeks. Notably, the President had, since February, indicated his intention to meet with the selected leader when appointed, to address the constitutional perfunctory obligations.
Meanwhile, Aubrey Norton has signalled a demand for a broader agenda of discussions, including issues that are of concern to both the Government and parliamentary Opposition. Along the way, however, his constant bruhaha has been tinged with the implied indication of threats if he does not have his way. Given the incessant hold-ups and delays resulting from PNCR internal party ramblings, to now make up time for inefficacies, he has no authority to dictate the expected meeting with President Ali. Therefore, Norton must get his house in order!
To move Guyana forward with fluency, there is a need for objectivity in the relevant and immediate discussion between the Leader of the Opposition and President Dr. Irfaan Ali, and these must take place in an acceptable and peaceful environment. The infighting in the PNC/R, exemplified by the recent Van West-Charles fiasco and the like, must not manifest itself in public. Moreso, we must have mature discussions at the national level.
The outcome of this initial engagement may set the tone for future consistent meetings and meaningful fluency towards joint decisions and the realisation of broad-based Guyanese interests with alacrity.
Let us all continue to encourage all eligible citizens to embrace the GECOM process towards the enhancement of new and dynamic leadership in the various Local Authority Areas without further undue delay in the anticipated upcoming Local Government Elections.

Sincerely,
Neil Kumar