New Deputy Chief Elections Officer sworn in

Public and Social Policy Analyst, Roxanne Myers was on Friday sworn in as the new Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO).
Myers took the oath of office before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. The position is paired with that of Deputy Commissioner of Registration.
After her swearing in on Friday, Myers declined to answer questions posted to her by the media. Myers appointment came after much controversy over the Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM) employment practices.
GECOM Commissioners Bibi Shadick, Sase Gunraj and Robeson Benn had written a letter of complaint to the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) complaining that the discriminatory measures being practiced at GECOM. They contend that there is an ethnic imbalance at GECOM, and hiring practices are being manipulated in favour of one group. The ERC has since met Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, and the matters were raised. The entity also met with President David Granger.
The ERC earlier this month said it was currently in the process of investigating employment practices at GECOM and has assembled a team to do so.
The Commission announced that a special investigative team has already begun work on the case. The team is being headed by retired Justice Stanley Moore, who served as a Home Affairs Minister under former President LFS Burnham. It also includes former Deputy Commissioner of Police Lloyd Smith and human resource consultant Jairam Petam. According to the ERC, the team was given a period of three weeks to complete their investigation and submit a report. But it is understood that during the process, they requested an extension, which has been granted.
In a brief interview with Guyana Times, ERC Chairman, Dr John Smith had noted that the team was looking to wrap up its work before Local Government Elections. Local polls are expected to be held on November 12.
At a recent press conference, GECOM Chairman, retired Justice James Patterson had said qualifications ultimately trumped race when filling vacancies. When asked whether deliberate efforts to achieve racial diversity were being made, Patterson contended that deliberate efforts were being made to get the best people and he has “no apologies” for that.
Besides its work on the GECOM case, the ERC confirmed that it has met with senior officials of the Guyana Defence and Police Forces and the Fire Service. Meetings were also held with Councillors of Regional Democratic Councils across Guyana.