He said GECOM also recognises that, in their capacity of key stakeholders with a wealth of knowledge, the participants would be equipped to make meaningful contributions which could influence the demarcation of boundaries.

Surujbally said it was not and is not GECOM’s responsibility to determine the number of seats or constituencies for any of the municipalities or NDCs, noting that the determination is made and announced by the Minister of Local Government, Mr. Kellawan Lall.

The Chairman recalled that the Minister previously issued an order delineating the number of seats and constituencies for each municipality and NDC and GECOM met with him on two previous occasions to discuss the serious pertinent issues which could affect the delimitation process one way or the other.

“We have received the fullest cooperation from Minister Lall on this matter,” Surujbally told the gathering.

He said the competent technicians from GECOM Secretariat will share with participants the proposals and recommendations pertaining to the demarcation of constituencies which was largely influenced by the discourses at the countrywide consultations.

The GECOM Chairman urged the stakeholders to consider the recommendations that will be presented to them with open minds and cautioned them: “You will do our country a great service by focusing your energies on the task at hand without bias and in the best interest of the entire nation and, in that way, we will certainly achieve consensus to the satisfaction of all concerned.”

Surujbally gave the assurance that GECOM will treat the contributions of every one of the participants with equal importance in the finalisation of the demarcation of boundaries for constituencies for all the local government areas.

“We assure you that we will, as we have always done, address this important national matter without fear or favour. Hopefully, you would take ownership of the outcome of this national consultation in the best interest of our beloved country,” he exhorted them.

Deputy Chief Elections Officer, Mr. Calvin Benn, explaining the process, recalled that local government elections should be held every three years, although that was not done since 1994.