-GECOM says only one instance of PPP’s claim
THE People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has said it is extremely concerned with the field verification process for New Registrants and persons seeking transfers during the claims and objections period which commenced on the 9th May, 2011. “The Party was informed by its scrutineers that the Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM) officials are verifying person’s identity and address without seeing the person(s).
The GECOM’s staff is using information gathered from neighbours and
members of the person’s “alleged” household to verify,” a party release said.
However, GECOM in its response said it was made aware of a singular occurrence where the verification of the residency of a person who applied for registration was considered done in the person’s absence, and based on the word of another person at the given address. 
According to GECOM this matter was discussed extensively at the 323rd Statutory Meeting of GECOM which was held on Tuesday, May 10, 2011, and where it was noted that the act was in contravention of the procedure for residency verification. Instantaneous instructions, clearly reiterating the procedure to be followed, were dispatched to all of GECOM’s permanent Registration Officers across Guyana for dissemination among all field staff and with emphasis placed on the need for the occurrence never to be repeated. 
The procedural instructions given are as follows:-
* Under no circumstances must Residency Verification by Proxy be accommodated.
* In other words, the person applying for registration must be seen as physically being at the residence address documented on the relevant Application form.
* The statement of a wife (legal or reputed), a relative, a friend or an acquaintance must not be accepted as proof of residence.
* Residence verification is inextricably linked with the Resident (Applicant)
* Scrutineers should be present when the verification exercise is being conducted.
Accordingly, GECOM said it is not aware of the recurrence of any act of verification in the absence of an applicant since the instructions were given.
GECOM said it welcomes the vigilance of the scrutineers in carrying out their responsibilities and urge that they continue in the same vein, since by this action they are contributing to the integrity of the registration process.
Meanwhile, GECOM is inviting all of the concerned stakeholders, including the Political Parties, to bring to its attention the specific details (e.g. name and address of the applicant) pertaining to any verification done in the absence of the applicant for registration, or any other concern associated with the work of the Commission, in order that it/they could be investigated and treated with accordingly and in a timely manner.