THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and the Inter Religious Organisation (IRO) of Guyana have agreed to work in a collaborative approach towards disseminating pertinent information about the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE) among the constituents of the various religious groups in Guyana, a GECOM release said.
This was the principal outcome of a meeting between the two entities, which was arranged at the behest of the IRO to discuss the need for this Organisation to be provided with comprehensive information about the LGE in a simplified manner.  The IRO had sought this course of action because it felt that this would allow Religious Leaders who are associated with the Organisation to convey the provided information to their respective constituents across Guyana without distortions.
The IRO is of the view that, as a national Organsiation, it held itself responsible to empower its diverse constituents with the relevant knowledge in order that they could have a say in the management of their respective Local Authority Areas by casting their ballots at the LGE.  Consequently, the IRO requested that the Commission facilitate and provide technical and financial support for the holding of a one day Conference on March 3 or 10, 2010.
GECOM’s Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally thanked the IRO for coming to the meeting to discuss matters of mutual interest within the context of the upcoming LGE.  In fact, Dr. Surujbally emphasized that this kind of cooperation is an integral component of GECOM’s Civic and Voter Education strategy which is aimed at generating maximum participation at the LGE, and stressed the need for similar arrangements to be made with other civil organsiations.  He gave the assurance that it is in GECOM’s interest to work with all stakeholders towards the widest provision of relevant information about the LGE. Notwithstanding this, Dr. Surujbally cautioned that the new system for the conduct of LGE is very complex and that the electoral processes with the associated conditionalities could inadvertently get distorted.
Speaking on behalf of the Commission, Dr. Surujbally pledged that senior staff of the GECOM Secretariat who are conversant with the new electoral system for the LGE will educate the Leaders of the various religions groups which are affiliated with the IRO.  GECOM will provide to the participants at the Conference, pertinent information documented in simple language that would be easy to understand and absorb. The religious Leaders in turn will, in consultation with GECOM, be required to assemble their respective congregations to participate at similar educational sessions at which competent GECOM personnel will address issues with specific focus on the electoral system to prevent possible misrepresentations and consequent confusion among the electorate.
Dr. Surujbally said that GECOM would not be opposed to the conduct of educational sessions, by the IRO and/or its affiliates,   pertaining to the civil responsibilities of their constituents insofar as having a say in the management of their respective Local Authorities is concerned.
The IRO accepted the Commission’s positions as outlined by Dr. Surujbally.
The GECOM-IRO meeting was held on Tuesday, February 16, 2010, at the GECOM Boardroom immediately before the Commission’s 283rd Statutory Meeting.  GECOM was represented at the meeting by all Members of the Commission led by its Chairman Dr. Steve Surujbally, while the IRO was represented by Swami Aksharananda – Co-Chair, Pastor Ronald McGarrell – Co-Chair, Brother Mansoor Baksh – Secretary, Sister Jennifer Dewar – Treasurer, and Sister Joyce Nauth – Member.