GECOM must deliver free and fair elections

Dear Editor,
Recognising the many negative attributes and the delicate electoral system that exists at GECOM, it is critical to ensure that the future electoral processes in Guyana are politically free, inclusive, clean, competitive and credible.
President David Granger has defused the independence of GECOM by unilaterally appointing the Chairman of his choice, and as such would be destroying the quality and transparency of elections in Guyana since the watershed electoral reforms in 1992.
It is important to incorporate technical criteria and establish mechanisms that guarantee independence and eliminate the perception of politicisation of the electoral process in Guyana. The hierarchy of GECOM is mandated to guarantee that Guyana continues on the consolidation of more transparent, equitable and inclusive electoral processes.
The recruitment practices at GECOM are just the beginning of one of the many negative attributes that will emerge to destroy the quality and transparency of elections in future. As Guyanese, we have to stand up against injustice and ensure that democracy prevails.

Sincerely,
Zamal Hussain