GUYANESE are expected to go to the polls in less than a month. The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is therefore moving swiftly in finalising activities to ensure elections are successfully held. That is according to GECOM Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally. Today, being Nomination Day, will see political parties submitting their lists of candidates to Chief Elections Officer Gocool Boodoo at City Hall between 14:00hrs and 18:00hrs.
Speaking to the press, Dr. Surujbally disclosed that GECOM is focusing on those activities that are statutory requirements for elections in its work plan.

2075 polling stations
Dr Surujbally noted that GECOM’s Logistics Division has proposed that 2075 polling stations be established at 991 polling places in the 10 electoral districts.
“The proposed list is being reviewed by the commissioners…the list of polling stations will be discussed at commission level with a view to bringing it to finality,” he said.
Dr. Surujbally disclosed that security at all polling stations has been given priority. He added that the measures in place will suffice.
He said GECOM met last Wednesday with Police Commissioner, Henry Greene and the force administration to put relevant logistics in place.
Teams, having visited all the polling stations, have given to GECOM feedback regarding the infrastructural integrity of those sites.
The Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Prison Service and the Guyana Fire Service will be voting on November 21st.
The GECOM chairman said the commission has commenced printing of the Official List of Electors (OLE) which will be used for conducting the 2011 general and regional elections.
“The OLE is being printed on specially designed water-marked paper procured from a reputable overseas supplier which deals with sensitive election materials,” he said.

Election materials
Dr. Surujbally said the commission is also in the process of procuring other elections materials from the same supplier, including ballot paper, statements of poll forms, tally sheets, and indelible ink.
“All of the required materials will be in GECOM’s possession well ahead of Election Day, to allow for the logistical arrangements to be put in place for the smooth conduct of the elections in all 10 electoral districts,” he said.
The commission chairman observed that materials advancing voter education have also been produced, and will be made available to the political parties and civil society organizations in the thousands for distribution among respective constituencies.
“The brochure is titled ‘What every voter must know about voting and elections in Guyana’…it will be distributed by GECOM at grassroots levels within all 10 electoral districts,” he said.
Dr. Surujbally said the publication of infomercials via the electronic media is expected to commence soon.
“GECOM’s Civic and Voter Education Division has in place a strategic plan for the production and publication of educational materials depicting various aspects o the election process,” he said.

Training
According to him, training of personnel to be appointed to work on Election Day is ongoing throughout Guyana.
Dr. Surujbally said, “In fact, having completed training in all 10 elections districts, the commission has embarked on a second round of training, targeting persons to make up for any shortfalls should any emerge…we have adequate polling day staff. The commission has been assured of the full quota of persons required to work across Guyana on Election Day.”
The GECOM chairman maintained that the commission is on stream with its work programme to ensure that successful elections are staged on November 28th.
The Constitution and the Representation of the People Act make provisions for the election of members of the National Assembly (unicameral legislature) under a system of Proportional Representation.
The National Assembly has a total of sixty-five (65) members. Twenty-five are elected from the ten (10) geographical constituencies, and forty (40) are awarded at the national level on the basis of block votes secured.
Seats are reserved specifically for women (gender) as prescribed by the Elections Laws (Amendment) Act. Under gender representation, 33% of the seats of the national top-up list are reserved for women. The Elections Laws (Amendment) Act No. 15 of 2000 provides for each party’s national top-up list to have a minimum of one-third females of the total number of persons on the list of each respective party.
Seats are awarded to the political parties contesting the elections on the basis of an electoral quota, wherein the total number of valid votes cast is divided by the number of seats contested to determine seat allocation as provided for by the Elections Laws (Amendment) Act.