Use of secret ballots in RDC’s elections is legal, democratic – AG

– rejects notion that something illegal was done

The use of secret ballots in electing Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons of the various Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) is both a lawful requirement and a standard procedure that upholds democratic principles.
This clarification was provided by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall during his weekly programme, “Issues in the News”, aired on Tuesday evening.

“Secret balloting is a standard operational procedure for elections of almost everything… We are voting by secret ballot to elect the Government and the President of the country. What is wrong with using a secret ballot to elect the Chairman of a municipal council? I want to reject any notion out there that there was something illegally done in the use of secret ballots as the method used to elect the Chairpersons of these regions,” Nandlall explained.
Nandlall also reminded that it is the Clerk of the RDC, which is the Regional Executive Officer (REO), that is legally empowered to determine the method to be used to elect the Chair and VC, and not the councillors.
“There’s only one person who has official power at that forum, and it is the Clerk… The Local Democratic Organs Act vests in the Clerk the power to conduct elections of the Chair and the power and authority to determine any questions arising at the meeting during the election of the Chairman. A question arising would be the method to be used to take the vote, and the clerk has the power to determine that question,” Nandlall noted.
“The clerk at Regional Democratic Council Four in my presence determined that secret ballots would be the method used to elect the chairman. There is nothing unlawful. There is nothing irregular. There is nothing unreasonable or undemocratic about that process.”
The use of secret ballots to elect Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons has become a topic of debate following last Friday’s swearing-in of councillors and leadership elections across Guyana’s ten administrative regions.
While secret ballots are mandatory in Guyana’s General and Regional Elections (GRE), their use in RDC internal elections is optional – though traditionally followed. Several councils opted for secret balloting during Friday’s vote, which allowed councillors to vote freely without fear of reprisal.
However, some political parties that did not secure favourable outcomes have raised objections to the use of secret ballots, despite the method being widely accepted as a means to ensure impartiality and protect voter choice.
In the October 11 Regional Elections, the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) secured the chairmanship in eight out of ten regions, including Regions One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Eight, and Nine.
This included a historic first-time win of both the Chairmanship and Vice Chairmanship in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) since the establishment of the RDCs some 45 years ago. Clemsford Belgrave was elected as regional chairman, while Deoraj Nauth was elected as his deputy.
Although the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) Party claimed victory only in Region Seven, its leader, United States (US)-sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed, expressed dissatisfaction over their losses in Regions Eight and Ten.
However, the elections for Region 10’s chairmanship ended in a deadlock between A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)’s Dominque Blair and Mark Goring from WIN, both of whom received nine votes.
In the case of the deadlock, Local Government Minister Priya Manickchand will now be responsible for casting the deciding vote.
“Region number 10, the elections are not yet concluded, and they will be concluded in accordance with law. In accordance with provisions of the relevant legislation. The law is not silent on this matter,” Nandlall said.