Issues at GECOM must be addressed forthwith

Dear Editor,
On November 12, 2018, it was indeed sad to discover that the Presiding Officer at Peters Hall switched the votes and allotted the PPP/C votes to the APNU. It was only after quick observation and strong objections the result was corrected. The attached security at many polling stations on the voting day were involved in lapses and mal-practices which would not auger well for 2020. The Deputy Chief Elections Officer was also sailing in respect to the preparatory work for the Disciplined Services voting.
It was widely reported that again, there were ‘Phantom’ staff on the GECOM payroll. As for the voters’ education program, millions of dollars was spent without any scrutiny and accountability. Further, it can be argued that the programs employed did not serve to effectively inform the populace, which was partly evident by the numerous queries from persons and the low turnout of voters. Information from the Secretariat in relation to critical issues was untimely, in addition to the many late starts, and delays of many advertised GECOM activities.
Currently, many in the inner-circle at GECOM are very suspicious of the millions of dollars that were spent on meals and transportation. Information received from sources at the Secretariat also indicate that the audit queries in respect to the 2015 rigged elections and the massive stealing, would have resulted in unaccountability for over one hundred million dollars. The fact that the GECOM accounts were not audited since 2015 is most worrying.
With the appropriations exceeding 150 per cent of the 2018 position in 2019 Budget, the situation is demanding forensic scrutiny. This nation cannot sit back and allow all the thieving to continue at GECOM. There are serious and numerous problems and it is imperative that all these issues are addressed forthwith.

Sincerely,
Neil Kumar