THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) organized a follow up workshop for relevant organisations and independent candidates to elaborate on previous discussions pertinent to matters associated with the upcoming Local Government Elections.  This workshop, which was titled “PREPARATIONS FOR NOMINATION DAY” was held at the Rupununi Room, Hotel Tower Limited, on Friday, March 5, 2010, as a sequel to a similar one having been conducted at the same venue on February 17, 2010. The workshop focused primarily on the following:-

* Explanation of the qualifications/disqualifications of a Councillor;

* Review of the requirements for the submission of Lists of Candidates;

* Consideration of the elements of the Proportional Representation List and the Constituency List;

* Explanation of the requirements in terms of support of Lists of Candidates and Individual Candidates;

*Explanation of the basic processes involved in the examination of Lists of Candidates;

*Explanation of how corrections may be done with regard to any List found to be defective;

* Discussing advance preparations for the upcoming Local Government Elections; and

publication of approved lists.

GECOM said it invited a total of 36 organisations including political parties, voluntary groups and independent iandidates to attend and actively participate at the workshop.

The expected outcome of the two workshops is that the political parties, voluntary groups and independent candidates that would be contesting the Local Government Elections would have a comprehensive understanding of what they would be required to do in order to contest the elections.  Notwithstanding this however, GECOM remains able, willing and open to treat with requests from any potential contestant for information/explanations pertaining to all or any aspect of the Local Government Elections system and process.