Dear Editor
FOR those Guyanese who may not have known about the very unimpeachable reputation of retired Justice Claudette Singh during her judicial career, when she sat in judgment over the many criminal manners, her present constitutional responsibility as Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission(GECOM) has afforded further irrefutable evidence as to why she has ascribed to herself the description of “Iron lady.” And “Iron lady” she is indeed, because of her matter-of-fact manner, and decisiveness in making her decisions.

The Madame Chairperson has proven that her role and functions as chairperson of this most important of state constitutional organs, is unadulterated and is derived from, and governed solely by, the Constitution. This means that as chairperson of GECOM she has to be independent of all influences, regardless as to their source(s) of origin, whether interest groups or whoever. And indeed, she is, as observed from her decisions that have all been made, with the steely determination and unswerving understanding and intention of delivering credible elections. It is a position which the coalition A Partnership for National Unity(APNU+AFC) has advocated, and remains relentless in its support of the national electoral body in this pursuit.

For those, from certain political quarters, which somehow believed that their nomination of her to be commission chairperson, had been intended for her to do their bidding – they have been sadly disappointed. For her first and only adherence is to the Constitution, which she has unapologetically been upholding; and this means that every eligible Guyanese, properly registered, will be part of the March 02, national and regional electoral process. Importantly, this includes those first-time registrants, including those who were not located during a recent five-day verification process. As usual, PPP/C leader Bharrat Jagdeo is still objecting to a process that has been deemed legitimate by the court.

And here, one must applaud the truth in the wisdom of the Madame Chairperson’s ruling on this particular verification issue of the GECOM process, when she reasoned that even some of those first-time persons who may not have been found at the given addresses at the time of registration that, “There was no evidence that those people were not registered.” The upshot is that they will be included in the List of National Electors, and therefore be able to cast their ballots.

Despite the dishonest machinations, and orchestrated campaign of disinformation that have been the vivid experience of this key elections body, inclusive of open attacks from the usual anti-national quarters; and reported disrespectful behaviour to the person of the Madame Chairperson by a particular political party-aligned commissioner, GECOM under her stewardship, supported by her competent CEO and staff, continues to fulfil its mandate, as recently evidenced with the highly successful Nomination Day proceedings. It was another vindication of the constitutional independence of GECOM, ensured by this Guyanese of great integrity.
Regards
Mark Dacosta