We regret having to return to the issue of growing concerns over the credibility of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) following separate recent interventions, on different aspects, pertaining to its functions and, more directly, the attitude of its Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally.

But the latest media intervention (See our August 16 edition) by a third member of the Commission, Mohamood Shaw (a nominee of the governing PPP), following those by PNC nominee, Vincent Alexander, and then Dr Keshav Mangal (a PPP nominee)’s, makes this necessary in the public interest.
First, after the published contention by Mr Alexander of claimed errors and weakness in the performance of  Mr Gocool Boodhoo, then long-serving CEO of the Commission, whose re-appointment has been opposed by the PNC’s trio on the GECOM, Dr Mangal forwarded a very informative letter to the print and electronic media, which was also published in the Guyana Chronicle last month (July 31).
In his letter, Dr Mangal disclosed, among other matters discussed at a GECOM meeting on June 11, 2013, the initiatives to be pursued to meet Mr Boodoo’s request for renewal of his contract.  
Dr Mangal further disclosed how Mr Alexander, the PNC’s representative on the Commission, had strangely omitted some vital information in his media intervention with strident criticisms of Boodoo’s performance for the 2013 general elections; and also pointed to concerns about attitudes adopted  by the Commission’s chairman at meetings.
Rather than address the specific claims and arguments advanced by Dr Mangal, Dr Surujbally descended to personal abuse against Dr Mangal.
 In a letter to the Stabroek News, published on August 7, rather than address specific claims made by Dr Mangal, he dismissed the Commissioner as engaging in “tirade and expedition into invincible absurdity.” He further contended that “all the deficiencies raised in Mangal’s letter [to him] should have been directed at the Head of the Secretariat, namely, Mr Boodhoo…”
Why this display of emotionalism from one who has been serving as GECOM’S chairman since 2001, **and argument that “all of the deficiencies” raised by Dr Mangal “should have been directed at Mr Boodhoo…”

Question for Chairman
Really? So what’s the role of Dr Surujbally as head of GECOM? Surely he must know that, like any good and experienced Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the so-called “buck” stops with him as constitutionally empowered head of the Commission.  
Regrettably, for all his experience and expertise, Dr Surujbally may well have revealed in that response to Dr Mangal more about himself than he intended. Therefore, he perhaps owes it to himself, first of all, to ensure that he does not become the focus of acrimonious exchanges at meetings of the commissioners, with him as chairman.
Having made solid contributions to ensure the independence and integrity of the Commission, along with the undeniable competence and integrity demonstrated also by Mr Boodoo as CEO, Dr Surujbally now faces the challenge to avoid being perceived as having lost the confidence of 50 per cent of the six commissioners.
The implications could be grave. And this at a time when relevant legislation has just been approved by parliament for local government elections. More important, in terms of wider problems and  challenges to be addressed in relation to GECOM’s readiness for snap general elections, a possibility being increasingly talked about amid recurring ‘showdowns’ in parliament.  
Competence and integrity must trounce bigotry and divisions in the interest of GECOM’s reputation and, most decisively, Guyana’s national interest.