LGE 2023: GECOM receives numerous applications for observer status

…as Joint Services commence training ahead of local elections

Ahead of the Local Government Elections (LGE) being contested next month, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has received almost a dozen applications from local groups seeking observer status.

Last month, in accordance with Section 145 B of the Local Authorities (Elections) Act, Chapter 28:03, GECOM had put out a call for local groups and organizations to apply for observer status ahead of Local Government Elections 2023. Accordingly, GECOM has received those applications, and the application window has since closed.
GECOM Public Relations Officer (PRO) Yolanda Ward confirmed to this publication on Wednesday that 11 applications were received during that application period, and these are currently being processed.
There are a number of criteria that groups wishing to observe elections must follow. Among them is familiarity and experience with electoral laws and processes. Groups should have previous experience in election monitoring, and be able to maintain impartiality while conducting their duties.
Other criteria are the presence of interpersonal skills (e.g. capacity of balanced judgement, ability to work in teams, ability to cope with difficult situations, respect for diverse attitudes, good communication skills, readiness to work in a multi-cultural environment); Ability to maintain professional independence and strict impartiality in the conduct of duties; and demonstrated commitment to democracy and human rights.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Police Force, in a statement on Wednesday, also provided an update on their own preparations for LGE. It was explained that the Joint Services Training Committee conducted training at Eve Leary for the upcoming June 12 elections. The training focused on a command post exercise for ranks to better be able to handle possible scenarios. These scenarios will be discussed and tested in the Regional Police Division 4. As such, the public was urged not to be alarmed by increased Joint Services’ presence throughout the region.
“Members of the Joint Services Training Committee are conducting a Command Post Exercise 1/2023 at the Police Officers’ Mess, Police Headquarters, Eve Leary. This training is facilitated for members of the Joint Services to be better equipped to handle possible situations during the upcoming Local Government Elections period. Possible scenarios would be discussed and tested in Regional Police Division 4 (A, B, C),” the Police Force explained.
In February of this year, Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall set Monday, June 12, 2023 as the date for the holding of the much-anticipated and long overdue LGE in Guyana.
GECOM has already been in preparation mode over the past few months as it gears up for the long overdue elections. The Commission had previously indicated that its approved work plan entails, among other things, that the Elections Secretariat would immediately move to roll out a robust civic and voter education programme, appoint Electoral Registrars and Assistant Electoral Registrars, and extract the Preliminary List of Voters (PLV). These activities, it noted, are directly linked to the preparation of Registers of Voters for each of the 80 Local Authority Areas (LAAs).
In this regard, the GECOM Secretariat had already completed the training of management and polling day staff for all of the Local Authority Areas, and the receipt of applications for and approval of symbols submitted by political parties, voluntary groups, and individuals who intend to contest the elections.
In fact, the Elections Commission had extended the process to provide a further opportunity for political parties, groups or individuals wanting to contest the upcoming LGE to submit their applications for approval of their symbols by March 1, 2023.
LGE, which are constitutionally due every two years, was last held in 2018. At the November 2018 local government polls, the then People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Opposition had secured 52 of the 80 Local Authority Areas (LAAs). This had followed the holding of the LGE in 2016, during which the PPP/C also claimed the majority of the LAAs. (G3)