THE final number of polling places could be affected by the number of eligible voters on the Official List of Electors (OLE), according to Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield.The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) official, speaking during a news conference yesterday at Cara Lodge, explained that the intention is not to have more than 400 persons assigned to vote at a particular polling station.
As such, he reasoned that there may be need to increase the current number of polling stations, an increase from an estimated 2,260 polling stations.
Asked about staffing for Election Day, Lowenfield stated that an estimated 12,000 workers will be needed and currently GECOM is working to fill that complement.
He said an estimated 1,623 additional polling day staff would be needed and the Commission has approached educational institutions to recommend potential polling day staff.
The CEO underscored that GECOM has, since last September, been engaged in training of polling day staff, an undertaking that commenced with the intention of creating a “reservoir of resources” that can be utilised when the time comes.
“We are still training people,” he assured.
MOCK’ POLLS
Lowenfield stated too that one month before the May 11 General and Regional Elections, the full complement of polling day staff will receive refresher training, which will include conducting ‘mock’ polls.
On the question of placement of polling day staff, he noted that persons will be placed, as far as possible, within their own voting districts.
Lowenfield also gave the assurance that persons recruited by GECOM will be chosen on the basis of established employment best practices, which ensures that the best candidates with the necessary skills and experiences secure the available posts.
The CEO’s comments come on the heels of concerns expressed by General Secretary of the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Clement Rohee, on Monday.
“GECOM must also ensure that proper and adequate polling places are identified and made known to voters at an early stage and to avoid last minute changes as was the case in 2011. This created confusion and caused some voters to relinquish their democratic right in frustration,” he said.
Rohee, speaking at the PPP’s weekly press conference, underscored too that on numerous occasions the issue of transparency in the recruitment process has been raised by the PPP.
He said, “Past experiences, particularly occurrences of 2011 elections in Georgetown, have made us even more vigilant in the selection of polling day staff. Further to this, training and simulations are very critical to the entire electoral process, particularly on polling day. Guyanese must demand that proper systems and mechanisms are implemented by GECOM.”
On these matters, GECOM’s Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally, made it clear that “truth” is the “shield” of the Commission and every measure is taken to ensure that the upcoming elections are free and fair.
“These questions have been asked before (and they have been answered),” he stressed. (Vanessa Narine)
