PLEASE permit me to comment on one aspect of a letter titled, “The credit for violence free elections must go where it rightfully belongs” which was published in the Guyana Chronicle of 13.08.2011 under the name “Pandit Chrishna Persaud”. While we recognise the efforts of the organisations named by Pandit Persaud as having contributed to the 2006 elections having been violence free, we cannot overlook that he has not acknowledged that those elections were conducted in an efficient, free, fair and transparent manner by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).  It was this more than anything else that was responsible for the elections having been “violence free”.  It should also be reminded that the work of the GECOM Media Monitoring Unit (MMU) in moderating media behaviour contributed significantly towards the conduct of elections in 2006 in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, please permit me to indicate that GECOM welcomes the contributions of all stakeholders in their quest to promote the conduct of elections that would be free from fear and violence.  Also, please be assured that GECOM will not depart from its commitment to deliver the upcoming elections in a free, fair and transparent manner.