Georgetown: In an effort to have Nominations Day activities run efficiently in a secure controlled environment, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Tuesday afternoon met with various Political Parties likely to contest the May 11 General and Regional Elections. GECOM took the opportunity to outline the essential logistical arrangements that Political Parties and their supporters need to observe carefully, as they accompany their respective leaders to present their lists of candidates to GECOM.
In his open remarks, GECOM’s Chairman Dr. Steve Surujbally underscored the Commission’s unhappiness with the incessant denigration that continuously emanates from some sections of society about GECOM’s level of transparency about its preparations for the upcoming elections. GECOM, he said, is working assiduously and optimally, and has been constantly providing timely updates about the preparatory work being done by the Secretariat as it prepares for the free, fair, transparent, and professional conduct of May 11 General and Regional Elections. He urged the political parties represented to continue to engage GECOM and enquire about any issues they may have with any aspect of the Secretariat’s work.
Dr. Surujbally also expressed his disappointment that only six political parties showed up for the briefing.
GECOM’s Chief Election Officer, Mr. Keith Lowenfield reminded the various political party representatives that Nominations Day is April 7, 2015 and that City Hall will be the venue to be utilized for Nominations Day activities. The CEO also emphasized that Nominations Day activities will commence promptly at 13:30h.
Political Parties wishing to present their respective lists of candidates must enter the compound of City Hall through the western entrance on Avenue of the Republic. The CEO lucidly stated that no more than 20 persons from each political party would be allowed to enter the City Hall compound and into the Chambers of the City Hall to present their respective lists of candidates to GECOM. Upon the completion of the presentation of their respective lists of candidates, political parties and their representatives will depart City Hall using the eastern door of the Chamber and exit the compound through the Southern Gate at Charlotte Street.
The CEO indicated that the media would be placed in a special section of the building that provides them the best vantage point possible for their unimpeded coverage of the Nominations Day activities.
GECOM will continue to ensure that all activities leading up to May 11 will be conducted in an efficient and transparent manner.
The Political Parties represented at the meeting were, the National Front Alliance (NFA), The United Force (TUF), Healing of the Nation Theocracy Party (HNTP), United Republican Party (URP), Working Peoples Alliance (WPA), Organization for the Victory of the People, Guyana National Congress (GNC), and the Independent Party (IP).
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