– for upcoming elections
THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has commenced a nationwide series of two-day Training Sessions targeting personnel who will be employed to work throughout Guyana on Polling Day at the upcoming Elections.

The first in the series commenced simultaneously yesterday at 18 locations spanning from the Supply Primary School, East Coast Demerara to the Kuru Kururu Primary School, East Bank Demerara and covering the entire Region No. 4.

GECOM said the Training Sessions are designed to assist all Polling Day Officials who will be working in Polling Stations across Guyana during the General and Regional Elections of 2011. It will prepare these Officials to follow all regulations pertaining to the polling processes.

The main objectives of the Training Sessions are for the Polling Day Staff:
* To develop an appreciation for the role of Election Officials
* To familiarize themselves with the functions to be carried out during the voting process.
* To assist them to become familiar with the materials and equipment used in the voting process.
* To be competent in assisting all eligible voters to exercise their franchise.

During the training sessions, emphasis will be placed on:
* The Polling Station:
–                      polling officials, their positions and areas of responsibility,
–                      persons authorized to enter or remain in the Polling Station
* An overview of the documents, and equipment used at Polling Stations
* The voting procedure
* The counting procedure
* Transmission of election results
* Transportation of election materials.

Upon conclusion of the Training Sessions, and based on their levels of performance, participants would be appointed to the following positions at each Polling Station:-
* Presiding Officer
* One Assistant Presiding Officer
* Two Poll Clerks
* One Ballot Clerk/Counting Assistant
* One Information Poll Clerk (where there are several Polling Stations and one Polling Place).

This first segment of Training Sessions is being coordinated by Mr. Calvin Benn, Deputy Chief Election Officer; Mr. Keith Lowenfield- Assistant Chief Election Officer; Mr. Deolall Ramlall- Civic & Voter Education Manager; and Mr. Colin April – Logistics Manager.