Opposition calls for int’l presence to ensure credible elections

As Guyana awaits the Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM) readiness for General and Regional Elections, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has called for international presence during this period to scrutinise activities surrounding the polls.
He stressed on Thursday during a press conference that the presence of international observers is key to ensuring credible elections. It was explained that in the past, the United Nations was requested by GECOM to oversee the process but their assistance was later refused. This was under the leadership of former Chairperson, Justice James Patterson. Prior to this, international officials were also stationed at the Commission to inspect the operations.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

“There are other things that are vital to the conduct of elections and credible elections. One is international presence. Before 2014, we had international staff embedded in the Commission. The APNU Commissioners and the [former] Chairman that was there, Mr Patterson, requested help from the UN. When the UN came out with a report saying no House-to-House Registration, they refused the help,” the Opposition Leader insisted.
He further stated that the international community can be deployed immediately to assess the situation and in some instances, they are just waiting on a call to do so. During a meeting some time ago with the UN, it was reestablished that their offer still exists.
“I’m sure that the international community is just waiting for the request. But immediately it could start. When I met with the international community a few months back, particularly in relation to the UN, I asked is that offer still on the table? They said yes, the offer is on the table. We’re ready to move,” the former Head of State informed.
Meanwhile, the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and other bilateral donors gestured in a similar fashion. In recent time, the Opposition has met with both the diplomatic community and GECOM officials.

GECOM engagement
A meeting was convened with the elections body this week to encourage discussions on preparations for the polls. Jagdeo debunked statements which were made by Government Commissioner, Vincent Alexander after the meeting, stating that the possibility of elections is not likely this year.
He clarified that the Chairperson, Justice Claudette Singh, gave her assurance of facilitating the polling process before the end of this year.
“I thought it was the decent thing to do, not to report exactly on the content on the meeting but allow the Chairperson and GECOM to report as to what took place at that meeting. I often make the same mistake, that is, I count on the decency of people who have an agenda; that they would come out and report accurately about the meeting,” Jagdeo said.
He further added, “Vincent Alexander, a Commissioner who was present at the meeting, came out and said no room for elections this year. The Chairperson in summing up said…‘We are working towards elections before the end of the year’. Not a single objection was raised at that point in time”.
During the meeting, the decision to merge the existing database with the new registration data was not accepted, with the Opposition arguing that it would contaminate the list with duplicate names. This has been reiterated several times, owing to the impact it would have in facilitating a credible electoral process.
Additionally, the Opposition Leader lobbied for Claims and Objections to commence, which would allow new registrants to be added to the list in a shorter period of time. He insisted that the data obtained during the ceased House-to-House Registration was unscrutinised, which questions the accuracy and credibility.
Jagdeo repeated, “GECOM has put together a schedule based on the urging of their Commissioners to take three months to do this merger so that we would start Claims and Objections, which can start immediately…I asked the Commission’s members ‘Are you prepared to put your neck on the block for the 3400 enumerators that they did not do anything illegal?’ because we have cases where we believe you had illegal registration”.
He added, “You only need to get new registrants added to the list. That could be done through Claims and Objections which can start immediately and it’s a more transparent process. With us doing that, we can be ready for elections long before the end of the year.”
Officials of the Government are scheduled to meet with the elections secretariat today. According to Jagdeo, it is likely that the delaying tactics will continue despite assurances to support early elections.
“I heard that the APNU (A Partnership for National Unity) nominated Commissioners said [to GECOM] that you should meet with APNU too. APNU never requested a meeting. I had requested a meeting with the Commission several weeks ago. It just happened that it was scheduled only now…In spite of those signals, they will go tomorrow (Friday) and try to delay the timelines for elections once again.”