PPP’s statement misunderstood, taken out of context by GECOM – Clement Rohee
General-Secretary of the PPP Mr. Clement Rohee
General-Secretary of the PPP Mr. Clement Rohee

THE People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has noted with deep concern a recent statement made by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) regarding the public vetting of polling day staff.According to PPP General Secretary, Clement Rohee, GECOM in its statement misrepresented the Party’s statement and accused the PPP “of publicly declaring that GECOM has agreed to this condition.”

Rohee emphasised that “the Party’s statement was misunderstood and taken completely out of context by GECOM.” GECOM
The following is an extract from the Party’s statement on the meeting held:
“The PPP delegation called for a public vetting process, and committed to providing GECOM with justifications in respect of persons not suitable for employment by GECOM.”
The Party also advised that for GECOM to gain public trust and allow for further vetting, they must make public the names of all persons to be employed earliest. Added to this the Party requested GECOM to inform all political parties about training schedules and to make accessible to political parties all training manuals available.
Moreover, it was recommended that Presiding Officers found guilty of intentional and biased acts in previous elections be blacklisted from playing any role in future elections.
GECOM’s CEO recently reported that these matters are currently engaging the attention of the Commission.
The Party is of the view that fair and balanced reporting of press releases and statements read to journalists will prevail during this period in the runup to the elections.
GECOM’S MISCONCEPTION
Meanwhile, GECOM in a recent statement categorically identified that it had given no undertaking to any political party that it would publish for public vetting the particulars of persons who will be employed to work for the upcoming General and Regional Elections.
The strong statement follows an article headlined ‘PPP/C pushing for public vetting of elections day staff’, which was published in Guyana Times on Tuesday, January 20, 2015, and which purports that Dr. Steve Surujbally, Chairman of GECOM agreed with a suggestion from the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) for public vetting of future GECOM employees to be facilitated.
“Dr. Surujbally gave no such agreement,” the Commission stressed in a statement.
PROFESSIONAL RECRUITMENT
The statement added that GECOM’s recruitment will remain professional and will continue to be implemented without influences from any political party or other stakeholders.
GECOM stated that “all concerned can be assured that the Commission’s employment process will be guided by established employment best practices towards ensuring that the best candidates with the desired knowledge, skills and experience be appointed to the various positions that are pertinent and specific to elections management.”

(By Navendra Seoraj)

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