A man, who robbed three enumerators attached to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)’s house-to-house registration exercise, at Covent Garden, East Bank Demerara, has been ordered to have a psychiatric evaluation.

Tremel Alexander appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Providence Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, August 7, 2019. The Magistrate ordered that the accused be sent for a mental evaluation.

Alexander, was remanded to prison and will return to court on September 2, 2019.
According to reports, on August 4, 2019, a team of three enumerators was robbed at Covent Garden while conducting house to house registration.

The robber snatched a briefcase which contained a printer, camera and fingerprint pads. The matter was reported to the police and Alexander was arrested.

The robbery happened just days after GECOM called on the Guyana Police Force to protect workers of the commission who were being attacked by residents of various communities.
The commission in a press statement said it had engaged the police force to provide surveillance in communities and to assist with security of its field staff.

Over the last few days, a number of enumerators were attacked and injured by dogs which were intentionally loosed by their owners.

“They received dog bites which were instigated by residents who are allegedly not in agreement with the registration exercise,” said GECOM.

It was also reported that some persons are using threatening language, instilling fear and providing misinformation that the staff will not be paid for their service.

The commission therefore urged citizens to immediately desist from such “unlawful and obscene” acts, as they will be arrested and prosecuted. Additionally, the commission reminded citizens that registration is a legal requirement and persons have a responsibility to ensure that they are registered.