THE $3.3B allocation for Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Administration and other related costs was approved on Tuesday night by the Parliamentary Committee of Supply that is reviewing the 2014 National Budget in detail.

In the process, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who fielded queries about the provisions, said he has been advised that GECOM is in a state of readiness for the staging of elections if called, be it local government or general, whichever is first.
Of the allocations, $1.7B is set aside for the Commission and $1.6B for elections administration. Both sums cater to employment costs for 337 employees and other expenses, while $126.7M is earmarked for the provision of buildings, a trestle, vehicles, boats, engines, office furniture and equipment.
The money is intended to allow for GECOM to exercise general direction and supervision over the registration of electors and the administrative conduct of all elections of members of the National Assembly, the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) and more local authorities in Guyana.
Local government elections have not been held in Guyana since 1994 and, before then in 1970. Subsequent to 1994, such balloting could not have been conducted because of the coincidence with the general and regional elections of 1997.

RIGOROUS DEBATES
Guyana is expected to host local government elections, again, on or before August 1, 2014, following a vote in the National Assembly, after rigorous debates over the importance of it to democracy.
The National Assembly has passed the Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendment) Bill 2013, which states that the voting must be conducted on or before August 1, 2014.
The August date was arrived at through an amendment to the Bill, proposed by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).
APNU, as well as the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) have both indicated their readiness for the vote.
As recent as Monday, PPP General Secretary, Mr. Clement Rohee disclosed that, at the party’s Central Committee meeting last weekend, extensive discussions took place on local government and national elections, too.
He stated that the PPP’s preparedness to face the electorate whenever elections are called was also discussed and, during that caucus, much emphasis was placed on strengthening the party, both organisationally and ideologically, in order to respond, effectively, to the challenges on the ground.
One of them, Rohee said, is the disposition of the combined Opposition, APNU and the Alliance For Change (AFC).

WORK PLAN
Public Relations Officer of GECOM, Mr. Vishnu Persaud told the Guyana Chronicle that the Commission already has a work plan to facilitate hosting of local government elections when called.
He added that GECOM would need six months’ notice to have that plan operational.
Mr. Keith Lowenfield was, recently, appointed the new Chief Elections Officer (CEO), a post that is integral to the highly anticipated hosting of local government elections, as well.
He is required to play the key leadership role in the Secretariat of the GECOM, with responsibility for implementing all aspects of its operations and ensuring that results achieved are consistent with the laws of Guyana and the policies determined by the Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally, and Commission.
The CEO will act as the Commission’s primary point of contact to the staff members of the Secretariat, whose activities include the registration of registrants, the distribution of identification (ID) cards, the provision of information and guidance on electoral operational matters to community organisations and other stakeholders.
The new CEO is also required to represent the Commission’s policies and activities in interactions with stakeholders and other interest groups, including political parties, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), donor and international agencies, in matters relating directly to the operations of GECOM.
Written By Vanessa Narine