…targets hinterland in weekend roll out

THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) last weekend held training sessions in the hinterland for its Registration Officers (ARO) and enumerators, in preparation for house-to-house registration.

The two-day training took place in Region One (Barima-Waini); Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

“We had teams in all those regions at central locations doing training and we still have Region 6 (East Berbice-Corentyne) and Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) to be completed which will be done over the next weekend,” GECOM’s PRO Yolanda Ward stated.

The commission is hoping to wrap up the countrywide training before the Independence holiday weekend. After which, Ward stated: “Based on evaluation scores, we will start appointing persons to the post to fill the position of AROs, enumerators, clerks and so on.”

Previously, it was reported by the newspaper that the walkouts of opposition-nominated GECOM Commissioners at statutory meetings is preventing the hiring of senior staff. These include permanent positions such as logistics manager, Civic and Voter Education Manger and the Assistant Chief Elections Officer.

However, the PRO stated that this will not hinder the house-to-house registration process and several staff members are now competently acting as replacements in certain positions.

“That will not hinder the process because we have staff who have been there for years who are acting in those positions and they have been doing a very good job,” she said.

When it comes to the Civic and Voter Education Manger, Ward stated that the responsibilities of the portfolio run similar to that of the PRO which is why she will be taking up some of the responsibilities. Should things progress as planned, Ward estimates that the actual process of house-to-house registration will begin as early as June, 2019.