IN a strategic effort to ensure that peaceful and responsible political campaigning and elections are held in Guyana, members of the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) met with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) last Tuesday to initiate discussions on ways in which the Commission can assist the IRO in its peace initiatives at this time.Signing a peace pact is one critical action the IRO indicated it would like all political parties to be a part while contesting the General and Regional Elections on May 11, 2015, a press release stated.

Several other peace building initiatives, as well as their involvement in civic and voter education were also raised by the IRO.
GECOM’s Chairman Dr. Steve Surujbally welcomed the initiatives outlined by the IRO and promised that the Commission would provide any help needed by the IRO, within a knowledge sharing framework of election processes and civic and voter education issues.
Dr. Surujbally also outlined the process for organisations applying for and being granted Domestic Observer Status during the May 11 Elections. In so doing, he carefully underscored some of the key areas to which potential domestic observers must adhere as they get about their respective activities during Election Day.

KEEP THE PEACE
GECOM recognises that violence has no place in democratic elections. Therefore, the Commission would like to echo the call of the IRO in encouraging political parties and supporters alike to behave responsibly, to engage each other with mutual respect, and to refrain from all words and/or actions which may have a tendency to incite, support or provoke any kind of violence – before, during, or after the votes have been counted. Citizens have a responsibility and a right to keep the peace, no matter who wins.
Representing the IRO was its Chairman, Rev. Ronald Mc Garrell, Ms. Jennifer Dwar (Secretary), Mr. Neal Bacchus (Assistant Secretary), Mr. Krishnalall Persaud (Vice Chairman), Mr. Rajmatti Nauth (Treasurer) and Pastor Wendell Jeffrey (PRO).
GECOM was led by its Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally. Other key GECOM personnel in attendance were Chief Election Officer, Mr. Keith Lowenfield; Deputy Chief Election Officer, Mr. Vishnu Persaud; Legal Officer, Ms. Juanita Barker; Public Relations Officer, Mr. Richard Francois; Commissioner Sandra Jones; Commissioner Mahmood Shaw; Commissioner Athmaram Mangar; and Commissioner Charles Corbin.