32 political parties expressing interest to contest 2011 elections
–  about 11 expected to remain in race
…according to GECOM Chairman
CHAIRMAN of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Dr. Steve Surujbally yesterday confirmed that October 27 (next Thursday) will be Nomination Day.

He also revealed that some 32 political parties have expressed an interest in contesting the November 28 General and Regional Elections, but observed that this number is expected to reduce to either 10 or 11 parties.

Speaking at a news conference at Cara Lodge, the GECOM Chairman explained that, on Nomination Day, all of the political parties with the intent of contesting the upcoming elections, will submit their respective ‘List of Candidates’ to the Chief Elections Officer, Mr. Gocool Boodoo.

The venue and time for submission of the Lists of Candidates is City Hall between 14:00 hrs and 18:00 hrs, Surujbally said.

“GECOM has posted on its website all of the forms associated with submission of the List of Candidates by political parties for contesting the upcoming general and regional elections, as well as an advisory to guide the political parties,” he said.
Surujbally added that the Official List of Electors (OLE) has been certified and was circulated to all the political parties represented in the recently dissolved National Assembly, as well as other political parties that have requested copies.
“GECOM has posted on its website the OLE for the upcoming elections as one of the avenues through which persons can check for the inclusion of their names thereon,” he added.

OPEN DOOR POLICY
The GECOM Chairman contends that, as the Commission continues working in sync with international best practices, it maintains its engagement with all stakeholders as part of the Commission’s Open Door policy – a relationship that uses a two-way communication approach towards the conduct of the general and regional elections.
He said, “In keeping with its (the Commission’s) Open Door Policy of being responsive and accommodative to political parties, GECOM has been meeting with political parties to treat with issues of concerns which the parties wanted addressed and provide, upon request, guidance regarding the filling out of nomination forms.”
According to him the Commission has met with representatives of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), the Alliance For Change (AFC), Vision Guyana, the Unity Party, The United Force (TUF), the Fundamental Structure Group and the Guyana Muslim Party.
Elections, constitutionally due every five years, are set for November 28 this year.